Broadband might be one of the fastest types of Internet connection ever invented, but for many people, it doesn’t mean the fast download speeds or limitless information & data that they would hope for. Millions of people have to put up with really poor quality Internet connections thanks to the way in which their PC will either not be able to properly connect to their Internet Service Provider, or have some sort of problem with the settings/options of their system, preventing their computer from being able to connect to the Internet properly.

Before roaming free in the World Wide Web, every internet user must first choose a plan and connection speed that will be able to accommodate both their budget and their user needs.

The following article seeks to outline some of the basic areas that novice users should address when choosing an Internet provider. For some, it may seem like common sense, but for those suffering easily avoidable headaches and long load times, it may just make a world of difference.

Connection Speeds
Before beginning it would first be wise to explain the two types of connection speeds and how they fundamentally differ. All methods of internet usage around the globe only use either one or the other of these types of connections.

Kbps: Is the common acronym for ‘Kilobytes per second’. A Kilobyte is one thousand bits of data – a ‘bit’ being the most fundamental form of binary code that makes up all information available both online and on your home PC. Essentially, a ‘bit’ is the building block of all computer technology and communication. In layman’s terms, it is simply the combination of 1s and 0s that form the language of computers.

Mbps: A much larger unit of data, Mbps refers to the term ‘Megabytes per second’. A Megabyte is one million ‘bits’. This form of data transference is used by every internet connection above Dial-Up speed.

Types of Connection
Dial-Up: The most basic connection available, a Dial-Up connection uses the existing phone line in a business or household to transfer data at around 56Kbps. This is the slowest connection currently available in the UK and is in the process of steadily being outdated due to faster connections being more widely and readily accessible for a lower cost.

ADSL: This is a must faster connection and the first real broadband connection with speeds from 2mb up to 17mb per second in the UK. This type of connection uses your existing phone line on advanced copper cables.

Fibre: THe fastest kind of broadband connection in the UK and it uses fibre optic cables to transfer data and can obtain speeds of up to 300mb/s in certain areas of the UK, mainly if you use Virgin Media.

To find out what speeds you can get in your area take a look at the broadband postcode checker at Broadband Compare UK

Satellite:
While a satellite internet subscription will represent an upgrade in many different ways to the dial-up user, there are some things which can be done to maximise its benefits. From keeping an eye on data usage to utilising all the communications options at your disposal, there are several ways to do more with satellite service. All it takes is a little homework and some basic diligence. Here are 5 ways to get the most out of satellite internet.

1. Jump on a great plan quickly. While deals on satellite internet service might seem to always be around, the plan that looks great might not be there when you decide it’s time to upgrade. If you are frustrated with dial-up service, there is no point in putting off the switch for a later date. As soon as you get the idea it’s time to switch, jump on the first satellite service plan which makes sense for you. Any time you waste after that might force you to take a lesser plan than originally attracted you.

2. Size up your data requirements. Going into a satellite internet service contract, you should have a general idea of what type of data you’re going to use. You can end up paying for more than you need or – more common – getting stuck when you need more but ordered less. You’ll be doing yourself a favour by sizing up in the most accurate way possible the amount of data you will use on a monthly basis. Talk it over with a customer service rep before you settle on a plan and start working with a satellite connection.

3. Make use of the telephone. When you get the internet via satellite, it means your telephone line won’t be occupied whenever you’re online. Have a plan in place for how you’ll use this open communication line. It could mean dropping a line you had reserved for internet use, or it could simply mean getting used to multitasking during your daily operations. Either way, you will be able to do a lot more when you lose the dependence on telephone lines for internet.

4. Plan ahead for network capabilities. Getting a network going is a real possibility with satellite internet. However, you can’t expect the lowest level plan to power a small office or several computers at high speeds all the time. If you want to build your own network, get the bandwidth you can use to make all of your machines go at high speed. You’ll figure out ways to recoup the expense with the new freedom of operation you’ll have.

5. Keep customer support numbers close by. Every tech service will throw you for a loop at one time or another and it’s usually in the beginning that confusion arises. To avoid getting stuck in the middle of some work while online, keep the customer support number for your satellite provider close by so you can solve any problems in a few minutes.

The End..

Unfortunately, cheap deals often turn out crappy.
Same thing goes when you’re hunting for broadband deals to
satisfy your needs without breaking the bank.
If you want to keep up, you need to upgrade.

Bear this in mind when making mobile broadband comparison .
The question is, is it really possible to get the best and the latest innovative
developments without your bill sky rocketing? Yes, as long as you know
exactly what you want and where to get it.

The Mobile Phone Advantage

These days everyone needs to stay connected while on the go, which is
basically the reason why more and more people get attached to their mobile phones,
especially when they need them to have access on the internet. Business owners,
entrepreneurs, and professionals all have target niches and audiences to whom they
need to be highly visible, and with the fierce competition none of them would want
to be left behind. Therefore, this is one of the key elements they are looking for
when making mobile broadband comparison. The broadband company that can put them
ahead of the game by giving them the fastest internet connection whenever, wherever, wins.

Get on the Mobile Productivity Bandwagon

Gone are the days when productivity was measured by the number of hours spent sitting on your desk,
or glued to your computer monitor. Now, everybody uses mobile broadband because it can help them
accomplish twice as much at a fraction of the time. Files can be sent and received while at home, in transit,
in restaurants- anywhere they choose to be at any given time. In short- no more boundaries.

Make Smart Purchases thru Background Checks

Before eagerly signing up for a contract that will hold you for the next several months or years,
be sure you’ve made a thorough research regarding the background of the company, the products
or services, and their terms of use. You don’t want to be paying for something you don’t need or want.
Make sure you’re going for reputable providers that have a good solid reputation and track record.
Ask for feedback from their subscribers, find out if there are any drawbacks, and if they
do not misrepresent their company.

Know What You Want

Be very specific about this. You cannot expect the company to give you want you need if you yourself don’t know why you are signing up for. So, go through all the contract terms and conditions in detail – your consumption, your speed, your availability, the scope of the internet connection. Make sure they have strong signals in areas where you frequent. Do you need them for uploading and downloading, media files sharing, emails sending and receiving, and staying connected while you’re on the go? Find out if they can do all these things for you.

Check if the Pricing is Reasonable

Yes, not necessarily cheap- but reasonable. In short, are you getting your money’s worth? Will you be satisfied with their service? Most companies these days allow trial offers before signing up their customers. So, take advantage of this opportunity. Remember, don’t fail to conduct mobile broadband comparison so you can come up with the best decision.

Education held back
As schools hope to educate children in more than just English, maths and science,
teachers are encouraging children to take advantage of the many resources
of the internet, which will then aid them whilst looking for a
career outside of the school environment.

Unfortunately for some, this kind of homework is impossible to do at home where a
fast connection to the internet just isn’t a possibility. Whether it’s due to living in a location
which simply doesn’t receive signal, or the high provider prices which parents can’t afford,
children are falling behind from their peers.

MP for Bury North, David Nuttall, has made a call to Great Manchester requiring action
to tackle the problem of access in rural areas. Speaking to Bury Times, he said:
“Those who live in areas which have very slow broadband access speeds
are seriously disadvantaged in this digital age.

“Although in recent months we have seen some progress – for example in Nangreaves
thanks to the hard work of the local residents – there is still much to be done.”

Help from above
A long-term plan is yet to be implemented, but there is one idea which has been seen
as a successful solution to the problem. While the installation of fibre optic broadband
could be costly for many families who cannot afford to foot the bill, there is an alternative.

Satellite broadband is relatively unknown in this country, but it could provide access for
those who are living in remote areas, as well as those who can’t afford to pay
for their own personal provider.

CEO of EuropaSat, Andrew Walwyn, has explained how this form of broadband could help
homes who are struggling: “Whilst traditional wired broadband providers champion their
investment in fibre networks, in reality out of town dwellers are still stuck staring across
the digital divide because of their distance from the exchange.

“The latest generation Ka band satellite broadband services offer defined, predictable service
levels at reasonable cost, with no geographical discrimination. Using a small set-top box and
an outside mini dish it’s now possible to deliver up to 20 Mb fast broadband
to any property in the UK or indeed Europe.”

So you’ll be able to browse all you want at the
fastest speed you can … or so you think. Depending on the
package you select, you may find your ‘unlimited’ broadband
actually has plenty of restrictions – so how can you check?

Check for caps

Lots of broadband providers cap the broadband usage of their customers to
restrict the amount of material they can download so checking for this is the
first thing you should do when seeking an appropriate deal. If you’re a user
who downloads frequently it’s important to read the terms and conditions
to find out if your broadband really is unlimited or not.

Some companies offer impressive deals free from download limits and Sky
Broadband’s ‘Unlimited’ package was reported as kick-starting a price war in Ireland back in February.
The service offered no download limits and unlimited local and international for a set monthly fee
which rivalled that of its main competitors Eircom, Vodafone and UPC with many speculating that
they would have to adjust their own packages to keep pace with Sky.

Test speeds

Some internet service providers cut their internet speeds when users have nearly
reached their downloading capacity. This means you may experience a slower
speed than the one that you signed up for.

The best way to prevent against this is to use a reputable broadband provider who won’t
cut your speeds in this manner. Some firms like Sky even offer a broadband speed checker
so you can have a look at the average connection speeds in your area before making your decision.

This is highly important as there are often regional differences for broadband speeds
with many areas performing better than others. A report on Silicon Republic but current
average internet speeds on the rise in Ireland with 21.9% of subscribers treated to speeds
of at least 10Mbps – an increase of 2.8% since last year.

Improvements in broadband services have helped to reduce this as much as possible and
according to a report from May 2013, further developments in broadband technology could
push internet speeds as high as 400GB/s – four times faster than the highest
speeds commercially available at present.

Evaluate your package

Once you’ve established what you can expect in terms of download capacities and connection speeds,
you need to look at the cost you’re paying for your internet package. This may depend on your
geographic location and the type of broadband service you have subscribed to with a report on
Silicon Republic revealing 97% of Irish homes have access to basic broadband but superfast
digital broadband has only penetrated less than half this amount (42.1%).

Those interested in upgrading may want to visit Sky broadband Ireland for more information
on their products. Combining internet services with home phone connections and TV or media
packages can help to keep core costs low whilst offering the full range of services and is another good option.