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