| In the last part of this guide I told you how to | | | | been known for suppliers to indiscriminately lower the |
| determine the speed of your broadband connection | | | | user's speed but not reduce the cost. |
| using online broadband speed tests to see if you're | | | | So for cases where you know you are not going to |
| getting your money's worth, I also covered how to | | | | be downloading large files (typically less than 5gb |
| decide what speed of broadband you realistically | | | | month) then you may like to consider looking into |
| need without spending needless extra amounts on | | | | applying limits on your connection, it could be the key |
| bandwidth you aren't going to use. | | | | you need to cheap broadband! |
| Well now we move on to the usage section of this | | | | Packages: Sweetening the deal |
| guide, due to the vast nature of the Internet it can | | | | The lines between the Internet and traditional media |
| be used in millions of different ways from talking to a | | | | such as Television and Radio have been blurred quite |
| family member halfway round the world to looking up | | | | a bit in the past few years, with sites like Youtube |
| the recipe for that cheesecake you enjoyed as a kid. | | | | and the BBC's iPlayer these days many people are |
| Depending on how you use the Internet can | | | | looking to the World Wide Web for their fix of |
| determine whether you can get cheaper broadband | | | | entertainment. |
| or not. | | | | The Cable and Satellite companies have recognized |
| Are limits any good? | | | | this fact and have rolled with the punches, most |
| Internet Service Suppliers provide Broadband to | | | | media companies now offer cheaper rates on |
| millions of people in this country, and each one has | | | | bundled packages, normally consisting of broadband, |
| thousands in any one town or city. Providing a | | | | TV and landline phones, Virgin Media include packages |
| service to these customers is exactly like providing | | | | that include mobile telephones too since they have |
| running water, in order to ensure everyone gets their | | | | their own mobile network. |
| fair share then sometimes limits have to be put in | | | | Big savings can be made if you are willing to change |
| place, with internet suppliers you may be able to get | | | | all your needs to one supplier, typically if you get all |
| a cheaper deal by agreeing that you will only use a | | | | three from the list above then you can pay as little |
| certain amount per month. | | | | as £30 per month for the lot, it may be worth |
| This is normally measured in Gigabytes and is | | | | mentioning that these deals tend to offer the |
| recommended for people who don't use the Internet | | | | typically average speeds and deals and so can be |
| that much, people who have opted for this service | | | | good for the majority of internet users but those |
| have found that their service is much quicker than | | | | who are desperate for lightening quick speeds can |
| the same speed group for people who are on | | | | end up having to pay a premium on top of their |
| unlimited download services. Obviously if you go over | | | | bundle, that said apart from the savings it can also |
| your limit then it is charged in a similar way to a | | | | help with managing bills, or at least cut them down to |
| mobile phone contract. | | | | one. |
| Unlimited on the other hand allows you to download | | | | At this point you should have a good idea of what |
| to your heart's content with no fear of extra | | | | your usage needs are, whether you're a |
| charges for being an Internet-fiend for one month. | | | | download-aholic or just a casual user and whether |
| Unlimited plans have come under scrutiny in recent | | | | considering a supplier with download limits is a realistic |
| years in that they are not necessarily "unlimited" per | | | | option for you. As well as the speed you determined |
| say, in order to maintain the same quality of service | | | | in the previous part of this guide you should also be |
| to all their customers in your area your broadband | | | | aware of bundled packages where you can save |
| supplier may have a fair-use policy, as if you are | | | | money by consolidating your home services. The |
| downloading movies and large files all the time then it | | | | next part of this guide will cover how to go about |
| will have an effect on other people's service. In these | | | | ordering new broadband and if you already have |
| cases repeated offenders are normally sent a letter | | | | broadband then I'll talk you though the task of saying |
| saying that they should lower their usage as it isn't | | | | goodbye to your old supplier and hello to your new |
| fair to others, if the behaviour continues then it has | | | | one. |