Types of Broadband in the UK
Before you choose your broadband supplier it a good idea to know what types of broadband are offered in the UK, so you can get the best broadband deal to suit you. There are three different types of broadband offered here in the UK; these are ADSL, Cable and Satellite, knowing the differences between them will make it easier to choose your best package.
ADSL
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line and provides faster data transfer through standard telephone lines than a conventional dial up modem. ADSL utilises frequencies not usually used by the telephone voice system, which normally consists of frequencies that a higher than human hearing. ADSL signals cannot travel very far from the telephone exchanges, so can only be used for short distances (less than 4 miles). ADSL modems allow a user to be on the internet and still receive phone calls at the same time.
Advantages of ADSL are that over 80% of the UK has access to ADSL networks, it is easy to install and internet and phone calls can be received at the same time. The only disadvantage is that the download speed is much faster than upload speed even on 20mbps+ connections.
Cable Broadband
If you live in an area that can receive cable television then you can also choose a cable broadband internet connection. Cable broadband usually requires a specialist modem, but most of the broadband providers supply them with their packages.
The advantages of cable broadband is that it is easy to install, can potentially provide the fastest connection speeds and is normally bundled with cable television packages. The main disadvantage of cable broadband is that it is only available in certain areas, normally in large towns and cities.
Satellite Broadband
Satellite broadband is normally a consideration for people who cannot receive any of the other two types of broadband. It is suitable for people who live in remote areas of the UK, but a specialised satellite dish must be installed.
The main advantage of satellite broadband is that it is available anyway in the UK, but is very expensive to install, so is normally used by people as a last resort.