What is Broadband ?
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Broadband is a term commonly used to indicate a fast connection to the internet, however for the purpose of this site we are only interested in one means of connection. Namely ADSL or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, this type of Broadband is a special telephone line which lets you use the Internet at a much higher speed than the usual 56k modem (between 9 and 30 times faster depending on the service provided).
The service (ADSL) makes use of your existing telephone line. It splits the signal into two channels, one for voice communications and the other for the high speed data connection. It makes use of a frequency range not used in normal voice calls.
Using ADSL the voice call traffic is shifted into a different frequency space to the Data traffic., and thus allows both to coexist on the same line at the same time.
This means you can make telephone calls as normal while you are also surfing the internet.
Broadband is sold under a number of names and levels with a virtually infinite variety of packages. Taking the most basic installation of 'wires only', also known as 'self install', which means you literally only get the wires connected and are free to purchase any means of connecting to the 'BT socket', in much the same way that you can connect any phone to a BT line.With basic ADSL there were two underlying products in the 'wires only' range, namely 'BT IPStream Home' and 'BT IPStream Office' and the primary difference between them was the contention ratio, which is 50:1 on the Home service and 20:1 on the Office service. The Home range is available at download speeds of 256Kbps, 512Kbps or 1Mbps (compared to a fast modem of 56K) and an upload speed of 256Kbps, while the Office range is available at download speeds of 512Kpbs, 1Mbps and 2Mbps and an upload speed of 256Kbps.
ADSL 2+ now offers speeds of UPTO 20 Mbps but normally gives a download speed considerably under that unless you happen to live next a BT exchange.
The Home product range is sold for about £25 / month and the Office range from £45 / month.
These costs are all exclusive of VAT and are very much ball part figures to assist you in deciding if ADSL is for you.
If you like proceed then click here to go to the registration page or send us an email with any questions you have.