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