Category: Compare Broadband Providers


Why do we need super fast broadband?

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February 20, 2012

It is already possible using cable to achieve 50mb broadband UK speeds, and even that is not the limit. 100mb will be rolled out in the near future and even faster speeds are the long term goal of various providers. So, with pressure to continually increase online connectivity speeds, what will be the effect on our online experience? What will we be able to do that we can’t do at present?

With the kind of broadband speeds that the majority of us enjoy today we can order goods online, keep abreast of the latest news and opinion, take part in social networking, and even watch television; however there are many technologies that could make a big difference to our lives but which are restricted currently by the lack of super-fast data transfer speeds.

One of these is advanced teleconferencing applications such as telemedicine. This requires high definition communications between a consultant and his remote patient, and means that both upload and download speeds need to be equally fast.  As well as providing a communications platform in which patient and consultant can communicate as if they were in the same room, the consultant may well need to access data from medical devices that are used to monitor the patient’s condition.

Similar technologies will enable advanced high definition video calling between individuals and e-learning in which a teacher can communicate with a class of individuals who can also simultaneously communicate with each other.

Entertainment will also benefit. Already many people use high speed internet for gaming and the gaming experience of using super-fast broadband will be astounding, allowing many players from all round the world to participate in high definition games without experiencing any perceptible latency.

In the future television is likely to be delivered mainly over the internet. Already we are seeing many more online services being provided by television companies, though currently they are limited by available internet technologies. Super-fast broadband will mean that we will be able to view what we like when we like, and in super-high quality.

Progressively more people are working from home. The important benefits are that we don’t waste time and money travelling to and from work and that we can to a larger extent schedule our own work day. The downside though is that communications with fellow workers and clients are limited. Super-fast broadband will provide much improved video communications and allow us to share data in real time; effectively we will be working in a virtual office shared with our colleagues.

These are just a few implications of super-fast broadband. As it is rolled out, new technologies that are currently in the pipeline, plus many that are not yet even imagined, will make use of it. The internet changed the world; the super-fast internet will change it again.

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TV and internet services

Filed Under: Broadband, Broadband Deals, Compare Broadband Providers, TV by admin — Leave a comment
February 20, 2012

Nowadays TV package deals that combine digital television services with the internet are becoming popular. One reason for this is that is save money, and another is that with digital TV the differentiation between TV and the internet is become more fuzzy, for instance many TV services are provided over the internet.

These services are provided either by cable or satellite. When TV is received by satellite, internet access is provided over a standard copper telephone line, though when TV is received by fibre optic cable, internet access can also be provided via the fibre optic cable network. The advantage is the latter is improved speeds and quality of service.

Independent of the way that internet services are provided, the hardware that interfaces with either the telephone line or the optical cable network is called a router, and it is the router that connects every device on the network to each other and to the internet.

In the early days of home networks and the internet it was necessary for all the computers in the network to be linked by cables. This was awkward to say the least, and not very versatile. Then along came wireless internet or Wi-Fi as it is generally called, and all those cables suddenly became unnecessary.

The router communicates with every device in the network (for instance desktop computers, printers, scanners, laptops, tablet computers, game consoles, and smartphones), via radio signals. The frequency of the radio waves is such that it is possible for devices to communicate even through walls and ceilings. Typically Wi-Fi has a maximum range of around 30 meters, though the signal is attenuated when it has to pass through walls, which can reduce the range.

Although Wi-Fi is reasonably secure, it is not totally so. In its early days security relied on an encryption standard called WEP or wired equivalent privacy, however it failed to live up to its name and it proved possible to determine the encryption key by eavesdropping on the network.  Security was improved by the introduction of WPA and WPA2, though WPA is no longer considered to be secure.

When you use a wireless router it is important that you set up the security properly. Some routers allow you to change the password, whilst others have a password that is set by the internet supplier. Never use a wireless router that is not password protected.

 

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History of broadband

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February 20, 2012

Are you old enough to remember the days when we needed a dialup telephone modem to get online and download speeds were so slow that it could take several minutes to download even a low resolution picture? It also meant that when we were online we could no longer use our phone lines for telephone calls. Although it was enormously inconvenient, the thrill of getting online made up for all the frustrations we had to endure, though if we wanted to download just a single song it could take over half an hour.

Over time things improved slowly, though it was not until the turn of the century that broadband was introduced generally. In internet parlance, the term broadband refers to online connections that are faster than the 56 kilobits per second (kb) data speeds that is the maximum speed available via a dial-up modem, though generally the minimum interconnection speed that can officially be described as broadband is 256 kb.

Initially high speed broadband using fibre optic cable became available, but it was so expensive that it was restricted to companies and universities, though such was the demand for high speed services that it was not long before high speed connections using copper became available. The technology that made this possible is called ADSL technology (Asymmetric digital subscriber line) and this increased data transfer speed to 512 Kbit/s, though at first even that was too expensive for wide-scale use.

The beauty of ADSL is that a micro-filter can be used in a home phone socket that allows a single copper phone line to carry both an analogue signal for voice communications and a digital signal for internet access. Soon competition forced prices down and performance improved, though at first BT had a monopoly as it owned all the phone lines.  Eventually government legislation meant that lines could be unbundled and many more suppliers were able to provide broadband services.

Also the cost of cable broadband fell enormously, and nowadays cable broadband is as affordable as copper, and very much better in terms of performance. With copper the very fastest broadband speeds are 20 megabits per second (mb) though only very few people can benefit from that as speeds reduce with increasing distance the user is from the exchange and the number of people who are online. With cable 50 mb broadband is achievable currently and it is anticipated that before too long the maximum will rise to 100 mb and faster.

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Combining your broadband and television

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February 20, 2012

In order to attract a broader customer base, several providers have put together broadband and tv packages that are very competitive and that can save money compared to buying the services separately from different providers.  As nowadays we are all trying to minimise our expenditure, these are proving to be very popular. Home broadband deals that bundle your broadband with a digital TV and your phone, so that you have a single supplier of all your telecoms services, as well as saving you possibly hundreds of pounds a year, are also much easier to manage with just a single monthly payment.

There are a number of important factors to consider when choosing your provider of these services. These include the quality of your broadband service, for instance download and upload speeds and data allowances; the number and quality of the television channels that are included in the package; costs of installation, set-top boxes and other equipment; the length of the contract and whether there are any cancellation charges for early termination or transfer to another address should you move home; any line rental costs; and the general level of customer service.

Different providers use different technologies for delivering their services.  If you sign up to a satellite provider, then your digital TV services will be beamed to a satellite dish which must be installed on an external wall of your home. This is connected to a receiver box which converts and decrypts the signal into a format that is understood by your TV.

Cable TV uses a network of fibre optic cables and in the UK approximately half the population is able to connect to the service. Special set-top boxes convert the optical digital signals into electrical ones which are decrypted and sent to the TV.

The third TV option is IPTV (internet protocol TV). Here television programmes are delivered using broadband internet. It can be a standalone service, or it can be supplied as an additional service by providers of the above.

Broadband services are delivered by either copper telephone lines using a technology known as ADSL, or by fibre optic cable. Broadband supplied via phone lines has been considerably improved over recent years and a limited number of customers of this technology can enjoy reasonable broadband speeds, perhaps as fast as 20 mb, though the level of service depends very much on the location. Broadband supplied through fibre optic cable does not suffer from these limitations, and already it is possible to achieve speeds of up to 50mb, and speeds up to 100mb are in the pipeline.

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What are the new deals of 2012?

Filed Under: Broadband, Broadband Deals, Compare Broadband Providers by admin — Leave a comment
January 12, 2012

50mb broadband is no longer a strange thing for people to have, and more companies than ever before are offering these impressive speeds. High speed broadband is set to get even better in 2012, with the different phone companies wanting your business. Both the service and speed will improve, and you will receive far more than before.

High speed Internet has become common to have in both homes and work spaces all over the world, ensuring that you remain connected at all times. The many different Internet providers are realizing that consumers want far more for their money. If their current service provider cannot offer them the high speed broadband they crave, you can simply sign up with another provider.

The need for 50mb broadband has grown a vast amount over the past few years, and 2012 is set to be the year that consumers receive the service they expect. There are far too many false claims of fast Internet services; therefore, you need to ensure that you select the providers which can deliver the high speed broadband.

There are several fast Internet providers throughout the country; however, there is always a demand for faster and better service. You may not think that you need the 50mb broadband; however, once you have used this speed, you will never want to return to slower speeds. You will find that as you use the Internet more, your needs will change in 2012.

You will find that once you have the new 50mb broadband fitted you will never look back, and your life will become far easier. There are several different options for the high speed broadband, which you will need to consider. If you take your time and research well, you will find the best companies and service providers for your needs.

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2012 – New Year New Phone

Filed Under: Broadband, Broadband Deals, Compare Broadband Providers, mobile phones, Video Games by admin — Leave a comment
January 12, 2012

50Mb broadband UK offers are enabling people to do far more on their phones and portable devices. Whether you want to access the Internet on the move, or use the high speed Internet for gaming, both are possible. Throughout 2012, there will be many new offers and promotions, ensuring that you can have the latest high speeds on offer.

Choosing a new phone can be a challenge, and you will want to ensure that every element is considered. Cell phones have improved a vast amount over the years, and they are now far more than simply a device to make calls. You will find that many of the phones on offer throughout 2012 will offer you 50mb broadband UK speeds.

For people that enjoy using their phones for online gaming, there are many fantastic possibilities for new phones during 2012. Whatever phone you decide upon, you need to ensure that the Internet speeds are fast enough. When it comes to speed, accuracy and use, 50mb broadband UK speeds are the best.

High speed internet for gaming will ensure that you are receiving the best possible speeds on your phone. When you are not playing games, you can easily be searching the Internet and keeping up with the latest events. When you go out in 2012 to purchase your new phone, there are numerous things that you have to remember to ask, including what speed broadband is included.

If you remember to ask many different questions regarding the different specifications on the phone that you want, you will be certain of purchasing your ideal phone. Phones have become an extremely influential accessory; therefore, taking your time to select the right one is extremely valuable.

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Top providers for online gaming

Filed Under: Broadband, Broadband Deals, Compare Broadband Providers, Video Games by admin — Leave a comment
December 22, 2011

Nothing is worse than your online game getting interrupted by a slow broadband connection. For online gaming high speed internet for gaming connection is required. 50Mb broadband UK is perfect for online gaming as it provides high speed uploads and browsing.

For better gaming experience high speed internet connection is essential. 50MB broadband UK offers high speed for general web browsing, unlimited downloads and uninterrupted online gaming.

Many broadband connections offer high speed internet but for online gaming 50MB is recommended. Such packages are best for online gamers and designed especially for heavy internet users. High speed internet connection offers high speed for gaming, general web browsing or downloads.

With such packages of high speed internet connection of 50MB, you can play online games all day and enjoy unlimited download without being affected by traffic management.

If you want the best experience of gaming, check for the speed of your internet connection:

  • Unlimited downloads
  • High speed downloads
  • High speed uploads
  • Stable connection or safe connection
  • Less wastage time or latency
  • Compatible router

The top providers for online gaming are Plusnet Broadband, O2 broadband, Sky broadband, BE broadband and many more. These providers with high speed internet for gaming have got only file sharing traffic and are unaffected by traffic management.

Top games which are played worldwide such as Hi-Definition gaming, Nuclear Fallout, Velocity Servers, Summit Servers, Hypernia, Art of War Central, Dark Star LLC and Branzone are only enjoyed with high speeds of 50MB Broadband UK connection for uninterrupted gaming and unaffected traffic management.

Sign up for a high-speed, secure broadband provider to make sure you do not get kicked out for being slow. Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo wii, and Sony PSP are games that can all be taken to a new level with high speed 50MB broadband UK connection for gaming.

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How to choose your broadband package

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December 22, 2011

Different types of Broadband connections are available depending on the usage. 50mb broadband is perfect for online gaming, downloads and other activities as it provides high speed uploads and browsing. For better gaming experience and quick uploads and downloads high speed broadband internet connection is essential. 50MB broadband offers high speed for general web browsing, unlimited downloads and quick information.

Many broadband connections offer high speed internet, but for heavy users of internet 50MB broadband is recommended. Such packages are best for online gamers and designed especially for heavy internet users.

A high speed internet connection offers high speed for gaming, general web browsing or downloads. With such packages of high speed internet connection of 50MB, you can play online games all day and have unlimited downloads without being affected by traffic management.

If you want the best experience of using internet then check for the speed of your Broadband connection:

  • Unlimited downloads
  • High speed broadband downloads
  • High speed uploads
  • Stable connection or safe connection
  • Less wastage time or latency
  • Compatible router

You can sign up for broadband connections depending on your usage:

Broadband for beginners: If you are a beginner then opt for this package which is easy to set up and not at all expensive. It saves money and time simultaneously.

Broadband for heavy users: If you are a heavy user and download lots of songs, movies, software or play online gaming then this kind of package is perfect for you.

Broadband for business usage: If you are looking for a broadband connection which requires high security, enough space for e-mail and web space then this type of broadband connection is ideal. Such packages are quite costly.

Broadband mobile: If you access your internet connection usually from a laptop then mobile broadband is ideal as you can use it at home or on the go.

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Which Broadband Provider to Choose For Online Gaming

Filed Under: Broadband, Broadband Deals, Compare Broadband Providers, Competition, computers, just for fun, Video Games by admin — Leave a comment
November 8, 2011

Online gaming is a concept that is becoming more and more popular as internet technology and graphics quality advance. The two need to progress together because high end gaming graphics can only be supported by high end internet connections i.e. something like a 50Mb broadband UK connection. A 50Mb broadband UK connection, however, is not the only thing you need to have a perfect online gaming experience.

There are numerous other things you need from your internet connection for you to have an unfettered and downright perfect online gaming experience. When you play a game online, there is constant sending and receiving of relevant information between your computer or console and the server that you are connected to. This is why, for high speed internet for gaming you need a high quality internet connection. Here is a list of a few aspects that you should focus on when choosing your broadband provider.

The Speed of the Connection:
The speed of your broadband connection, as is very obvious, is one of the most crucial aspects of your gaming experience. Ideally, a 50 Mb broadband UK connection should be enough for your computer or console to handle even the most graphic incentive games. However, while such connections suffice in most cases, most online gaming enthusiasts believe that there is nothing known as too much speed when it comes to their internet connections.

Stability of the Connection:
There is this phenomenon that can ruin your online gaming experience even if you have the fastest connection in the country. This is known as the jitter. Jitter, basically, refers to the stability of your internet connection. If a connection is unstable, there would be mini breaks in packet exchange between the server and your console or computer.

This can result in mini lags in the game which can virtually be fatal for your character in the game and your online gaming enthusiasm. There is nothing more painful than playing a game through lag.

Download Restrictions and Fair Use Limitations:
This aspect of your internet connection is as important as the speed because it actually determines how much you pay and how smooth your gaming experience is. There are different types of internet connections. The first is the limited wherein there is a limit on how much data you can download. The other is unlimited wherein there are no restrictions on your data download amount.

The unfortunate rule that many internet connections impose on their customers is the rule of fair use limitations. If your internet connection is under the purview of such rules then you would only have an unlimited download amount up to a certain point after which your speed for such downloads would be reduced. This is a major problem for most online gamers because their gaming experience starts getting affected if they play too much.

If you assess all the above mentioned points then there is no reason why you would have difficulty in finding the best 50Mb broadband UK connection possible for your internet gaming experience.

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Top UK Broadband Providers

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November 8, 2011

Are you shopping for a reliable Internet provider? There are many UK high speed broadband providers that you can choose from. Some offer a 50mb broadband speed while others offer 20mb. It can be hard to make a decision for a person that doesn’t know the key difference between each company. Here is a list of some of the best companies and a description of what their service includes.

First, there’s TalkTalk Broadband. The service allows you to download at speeds of 24MB per second and you can download 40GB every month. It includes tech support and a router to help you get your Internet set up. The package can be bought with a phone service for a cheaper deal.

Then there’s BT Broadband. Their service has a slower download speed at 20 MB per second. The service also allows for 10GB of monthly usage. If you are planning to download a lot of files and have a lot of people in the household using the Internet, this service is not recommended.

The third provider is O2 Internet. This service also provides a 20 MB per second download speed. What makes this company different is that there are no limits on how much you can download. While it is slower than other services, the unlimited download limit makes it attractive.

The fourth provider is Sky Broadband. The download speed is up to 20 MB per second. There is only a 2 GB monthly usage allowance. You can increase the monthly allowance if you pay for a more expensive plan. Sky Broadband offers one of the cheapest plans especially if you bundle it with TV and phone.

You should choose a high speed broadband service depending on your needs. You want to start by looking at the transfer speeds. A speed of 20mb will be good enough but if you want a 50mb broadband service, you can ask the company if that is offered. You will usually pay extra for the faster speed.

Then, you want to think about how much you will be using the Internet and what you’ll be using it for. If you are going to be downloading large media files, you will need a bigger monthly usage allowance. If you are going to use it for basic surfing and email, then you do not have to pay extra for the bigger usage limit.

The final thing to look at is the pricing and the packages. Some packages are offered along with TV and phone. You want to see what makes the most sense to you. For example, a TV and Internet package may make the Internet service cheaper but if you don’t watch TV it will not be worth it. Take a look at your budget and the different plans to make the best decision.

One thing to note is that if you’re shopping for a provider you don’t have to go with the 50mb broadband over the 20mb unless you plan to download huge files or you want faster speed for a business. The extra download speed will not really be worth it if you are just thinking that your Internet experience may be a lot better because of the faster download speeds.

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