Broadband is another term for high speed access to the Internet. Before broadband the only option for accessing the internet was through a small device called a modem which plugged into a computer and a telephone line.
The computer user would “dial-up” to the internet every time they wanted to look at a website – this would take a minute or so and then tie up the telephone line while they were online.
Website take a long time to load using a dial up modem because the amount of information that can travel down the telephone line using this device is small.
Using the internet is still possible using a dial-up modem but broadband has come along offering 2 major benefits over using a dial up modem. Firstly broadband is always on – if your computer is turned on then you can go onto the internet straight away. And, secondly, looking at websites is much much faster when using broadband – typically 10 or 20 times faster but it can be up to 150 times faster!!
What types of broadband are there?
There are a number of different types of broadband – while the end result for you normally amounts to the same thing, the technologies that make it possible vary. The main types of high speed internet access are:
What benefits are there for home users?
There are many reasons why a broadband internet connection will benefit you. Here are just a few of the benefits of high speed internet:
Who are the main Broadband Providers?
The number of companies that provide broadband is growing quickly. Below is a list of some of the main providers of fast internet access:
What hardware do I need for broadband?
Generally if you’re using a standard, single-user package from most providers, you’ll need to buy no additional hardware. Virtually all broadband providers will give you a free modem, microfilter (the device which connects to the phone line) and USB cable (to connect to your computer) so you can get going straight away for no extra cost.
If you want to start sharing your broadband connection or use a wireless connection you’ll most likely have to replace the free modem with a suitable combined Router/Modem (although you can buy the router part on its own if you want – but it makes it much more complicated to set up for very little saving).
Routers generally range from £50-£100 and it’s probably worth getting one with wireless networking included it even if you don’t use it at first, as it’s not much more money and could become very useful in the future!
What is WiFi?
WiFi is short for “wireless fidelity” but means wireless network connections. These are networks which are created using short-range radio waves, so they can go through walls etc., just like normal radio does.
The clever bit about WiFi is the way your computer can automatically connect itself to a wireless network as and when it finds it. This can be at home or on the move. Coffee chains such as Starbucks provide WiFi in many of its locations.
To use WiFi at home you will need a Wireless Router/Modem such as the Netgear DG834G which also includes 4 wired connections if you have any desktop machines that don’t have WiFi
What about security with wireless routers?
One thing to remember about wireless connections is that they effectively open up your computer network to anyone within the range of the Wireless Router/Modem. There are various security systems to deal with this, such as WEP (wireless encryption protocol) which are easily set up on both your laptop and the router
What are the different standards for WiFI?
There are two currently used WiFi standards, known as B and G (short for 802.11b and 802.11g – you do not need to worry about these numbers!!). B is the older standard which works at a slightly slower rate than the newer G. However they can exist together seamlessly so your computer should just work with no intervention
How many devices can share a wireless network?
Because there’s no wires, up to 255 machines can share the same network connections – so, as well as being able to move around your home and stay connected, everyone in the house can be online together. Additionally any other WiFi-enabled products such as PDAs can also connect at the same time.
What is the range of a wireless router?
Although it’s difficult to say exactly how far the range of your WiFi connection will be, you should be able to get about 46 metres (150 feet) indoors and 92 metres (300 feet) outdoors. If the range isn’t good enough, you can buy devices to extend the range relatively cheaply.
What about broadband on the Mac?
If you’re using either MacOS9 or MacOSX, you’ll have no problem connecting to virtually any broadband service. Most providers have instructions to connect up your Mac to either the supplied (and usually free) modem or a shared connection.
Generally a system called DHCP is used, which automatically connects to your modem – so, providing your broadband connection is set up (which is done when you first sign up), you should have no problem at all.
Can I make telephone calls over the Internet?
IP Telephony (or Internet Telephony), is a very clever technology that allows you to have telephone conversations over the internet. It is widely known as Voice Over IP, or VOIP for short.
The advantages over traditional telephones calls are:
You can take advantage of new features as and when they come out as IP telephony is just a software program which will be updated just like other software such as Internet Explorer.
Television on the Internet
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is the software to allow you to watch TV programmes across the internet.
This technology is in its infancy, but expected to grow quickly as broadband becomes more widespread.
