Benefits of Broadband

In June 2005, Ofcom reported that for the first time in the UK, there were more broadband connections than dial-up. So why are so many people making the change?

Speed

Broadband can be 4 to 420 times faster than a traditional dial up connection. A broadband connection operates at between 256 kbps and 24 Mbps, depending on the service you have selected; compared to the maximum dial up speed of 56.6 kbps.

To give you an idea of the difference that this speed can make, an average MP3 music file takes nearly 10 minutes to download using a 56.6 kbps dial-up modem, but only about 30 seconds on a 1 Mbps broadband link. A 500 K email containing a photo may take over 2 minutes to send by 28.8 kbps dial up connection, and only 8 seconds on a 512 kbps link.

This high speed gives you access to applications that were either not realistic at the speed of a dial-up connection or just exasperatingly slow. This can allow you to:

• Have instant access to web pages, even those with large amounts of graphics that are typically very slow to download,
• Videoconference - making it faster, smoother and more practical,
• Telecommute, operating from your home with the same response speeds and level of security as if they were in the office,
• Transfer large files of graphics or text at high speeds.

Always On

Offering a permanent connection to the Internet; as long as your computer is switched on you can be connected to the Internet. This means that you do not have to waste your time dialling up and waiting for your modem to connect you to the Internet every time you go online.

Frees Your Phone Line

Depending on the type of broadband service you choose, your connection either shares your telephone line, or is completely independent of it. This means that there is no need for you to buy a second telephone line, and will save your friends from the annoyance of constant engaged tones when they try to call you when you are on the Internet.

Fixed Costs

Most ISPs charge a fixed rate for the time you are online. You can use it as much or as little as you want for a fixed fee. However, some providers may have a download limit, and will charge you extra for the data you use over this amount.

Networking

You can link several computers to the Internet through the same connection - excellent for multi-user offices or for the home.