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Broadband is the acronym for 'broad bandwidth' and refers to many technologies that provide high speed internet access to its users. Since it uses higher bandwidth than dial-up connection, it is nearly 10 times faster than a dial-up connection and can help you to send and receive large amount of data much quickly.
In recent years, broadband has been used for a wide range of applications that include VoIP telephony, online gaming and TV on broadband etc. With the UK broadband market is becoming more competitive and the prices becoming cheaper and cheaper, so many consumers now take advantage of great value packages with features like faster speeds, free phone calls and VOD (Video on Demand) services at affordable prices.
Why do you need broadband?
By taking broadband, you get faster access to internet as well as other benefits as follows:
- One of the key features of broadband is that it is always 'on' after you get connected to internet. Connecting is easier and less time consuming than dial-up connection.
- Your phone is still usable for voice calls when you use broadband. So, you can use your phone for making calls while browsing the web pages.
- You can download web pages, files, music and video at a faster rate meaning you can transfer large amount of information with less time. For example, with 2 MB broadband, you can download a MP3 song of 5 min duration in 2 minutes.
- You can do online shopping or bank transactions from anywhere, whether you are in home or office. Increasingly, people who work from home use broadband for faster communication and transferring business information quickly and efficiently.
- With broadband, social interaction has reached a new dimension. Instant Messenger Services, social networking sites (P2P) and online games allow the users to interact with others instantly. P2P sites also allow the users to share music, videos and software and have become highly popular for this reason.
- Unlike dial-up, broadband providers do not charge you for the time spent online. There are no 'per minute' charges, so cost-wise, broadband is cheaper option for the people who regularly use internet.
- Many people are able to make broadband tariff cheaper by bundling it with phone service, VOD, satellite TV service and mobile phone services.
How to get broadband?
To use broadband, you will need a reasonably fast computer and other broadband hardware like modem, network card etc. On most occasions, you will use different broadband hardware depending on the choice of broadband type you intend to use.
- For ADSL broadband access, you will require BT lines in your area and also need to check the availability of the broadband service you have chosen. This you can do it with ease with the broadband checker tool available in broadband comparison sites.
- If you opt for cable broadband, check to see if you can get Virgin Media cable service in your area.
- In both options, installation is easy and is mostly done by your ISP. You can also do your own installation when you choose ADSL broadband service.
- After you have signed up with your broadband provider, your ADSL service will be activated within 10 days while it will be quicker with cable broadband (less than a week).
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