| Are you finding the comparison of broadband | | | | 'location'!) |
| packages and range of speeds bewildering to say the | | | | Where you live is significant because, even though |
| least? Does confusion reign? Don't reach for the | | | | broadband technology has improved in leaps and |
| tablets just yet. | | | | bounds in the last few years, there are still some |
| I have defined the most important points you should | | | | areas that are more equal than others. You have |
| bear in mind when comparing the wide range of | | | | heard that hoary old chestnut before, haven't you? |
| broadband speeds on offer through a broadband | | | | The ADSL broadband speed in one part of the UK is |
| comparison site like ChooseISP, which allows you to | | | | vastly different from that in another part due to a |
| compare broadband speeds of all the main UK | | | | number of factors, for one, the condition of your phone |
| broadband providers. | | | | line. |
| The five points below will help you to ultimately make | | | | To overcome this problem, a number of broadband |
| the most suitable choice of broadband package in the | | | | providers, such as Be Broadband, O2 Broadband, Sky |
| easiest and fastest way possible. To coin a phrase, it | | | | or UK Online make use of ADSL2+ technology, |
| will be easier than falling off a log. | | | | replacing BT equipment in the exchanges with their |
| Here is a 5-point check list for you to run through | | | | own, with the result that they can offer broadband |
| before making any firm decisions. | | | | speeds of up to 24Mb. |
| Once you have gone through it, you should have no | | | | 4. Is your phone line affecting your broadband speed? |
| trouble at all in making your decision about which | | | | If you one of those using a BT phone line to receive |
| high-speed broadband package you should choose, | | | | your broadband, the material condition of your line and |
| especially with the help of a broadband comparison | | | | how far you are from the exchange may affect your |
| table. | | | | broadband speed, as the signal strength deteriorates |
| 1. Amount of Usage | | | | over distance on copper telephone wires. |
| The first thing to look at, before you start comparing | | | | If you do live some way from your telephone |
| broadband speeds, is to decide how much you will use | | | | exchange you should seriously consider using one of |
| your broadband and for what purpose you intend using | | | | the ADSL2+ providers, such as Be Broadband and 02 |
| it. | | | | Broadband to trap as much extra valuable broadband |
| For instance, if your use of the internet is considerable | | | | speed as possible. |
| you should preferably choose a faster broadband | | | | Take the trouble to check your actual distance from |
| connection with no download limits. | | | | your nearest telephone exchange, as the crow flies of |
| However, if you are not often online a cheaper but | | | | course, before making your decision. |
| slower broadband connection might be preferable, | | | | 5. Avoid being ''throttled'' (does your car have a throttle |
| even if it is possibly a bit more limited. | | | | AND a choke? Lucky you!) |
| 2. Cable or ADSL? | | | | Something to remember when you are analysing |
| Where you live can have a marked influence on the | | | | different broadband speeds is that in the evenings and |
| speed of your broadband connection. Yes, it is | | | | at other busy times, broadband providers have to |
| definitely a case of location, location, location as the | | | | organise their internet flow so as to avoid ''traffic'' jams. |
| property Phil & Kirsty would have it. | | | | This means that people who have used up their |
| Do you live in a cable area? If you do, then you will be | | | | bandwidth allocation or breached the ISP's "fair use |
| able to receive Virgin Media Broadband packages by | | | | policy" in any way will have their speeds cut, or |
| way of a fibre optic network which is really a bonus | | | | "throttled", in fairness to fellow users on the broadband |
| as cable networks almost always stick religiously to | | | | service. Beware the speed police. It may be enough to |
| their advertised broadband speeds. | | | | make you choke. |
| ADSL providers, on the other hand, make use of BT | | | | With this in mind, always look carefully at the |
| telephone lines which, for various reasons, are unable | | | | broadband provider's Fair Use Policy or speed |
| to provide accurate download speeds, offering only | | | | management system to see how this might influence |
| speeds "up to" a certain level. | | | | your usage. |
| The words "up to" should set the red lights flashing as | | | | If you think you might be affected by this, have a look |
| they shrewdly disguise any speed shortcomings. | | | | at the ISP policies of providers such as Be Broadband, |
| However, most places are enabled with ADSL Max, | | | | 02 Broadband and PlusNet, whose users speak highly |
| which means anything up to 8Mb. | | | | of their fair policies and transparency. |
| 3. Where you live is important (we did warn you about | | | | |