| Broadband has become an essential part to | | | | deal ensure you know all the details because |
| every business and household and it's easy to | | | | deals look great and then you find the hidden |
| see why. Traditionally, most people had | | | | costs and all of a sudden they don't look too |
| dial-up but the download speeds were | | | | impressive! |
| extremely slow, however, the introduction of | | | | |
| broadband has been a technological revelation | | | | Read more about Why you need Broadband |
| and has provided customers with the ability | | | | |
| to download everything from films and music | | | | There are always internet viruses about and |
| to vital PC updates. Business' have seen | | | | the best way to protect your computer against |
| major improvements and are able to connect | | | | these is too have the latest anti-virus |
| their entire workforce using one network. | | | | programmes that can be downloaded extremely |
| Other advantages of broadband are free VoIP | | | | quickly with broadband. Firewalls are a great |
| (Voice over Internet Protocol) which enables | | | | way of stopping untrustworthy sites from |
| initiatives such as Conference calling, call | | | | opening, which is normally the way viruses |
| forwarding and caller ID. The recent | | | | are caught, you can set rules or criteria and |
| innovation to hit broadband is Skype which | | | | if certain websites conflict with these then |
| enables 2 people to talk to each other over | | | | the firewall will block it. This will reduce |
| the internet using a headset; this saves | | | | the chance of your computer catching a virus. |
| money on long distance calls that can | | | | |
| normally take place. | | | | The advantages for businesses are clear but |
| | | | there is also a definite advantage for people |
| So how do you go about finding the right | | | | looking to set up the internet at home. In |
| broadband deal? The best place to start with | | | | the past, a family of 4 would all have to |
| is by taking the broadband speed test. You | | | | fight for the computer to get onto the |
| simply enter your postcode and the test | | | | internet but you can connect all computers |
| calculates the speed you should expect for | | | | and laptops to the same network using a |
| the area you live in. This will give you a | | | | wireless router. The router connects all |
| good starting point and when you come to | | | | computers within a radius to a network. To |
| comparing prices you know what to look for. | | | | prevent the wrong people accessing your |
| There are a few things you need to be aware | | | | network, you can apply a network key so no |
| of when searching for broadband; | | | | unauthorised person can access the internet |
| | | | through your network. |
| 1. Download limits- Some providers specify a | | | | |
| limit when you sign up and if you go over | | | | Switching providers can be a tricky thing but |
| that limit; you can be heavily penalised. | | | | thanks to Ofcom (the telecoms watchdog), this |
| | | | is becoming easier. Check the terms of your |
| 2. Contracts- Providers will often look to | | | | contract because the money you have to spend |
| tie you down to a long term contract and will | | | | cancelling your existing contract may |
| charge you should you wish to move on. 12 | | | | outweigh the savings you can make by |
| months contracts are normal but anything more | | | | switching. |
| then double check the fees for moving on | | | | |
| because there is likely to be a better deal | | | | To conclude, examine your options when |
| around the corner. | | | | choosing your broadband provider and don't |
| | | | rush into a contract that you do not fully |
| 3. Rising fees- Before signing up for any | | | | understand. |