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What is broadband?
If everybody seems to be talking about broadband, and it sounds like a foreign language, fear not. We’ve compiled a simple guide to help you get to grips with it, why everyone thinks it’s so great, and how you can join in.
To begin with: in layman’s terms, broadband is a fast, permanently “on” connection to the Internet.
Why is broadband so great?
One of the best things about broadband is that it doesn’t tie up your phone line, meaning your phone can operate normally while someone else is surfing the Net. In addition, it can be between 10 and 100 times faster than a dial-up account, and you won’t ever have to connect or listen to that screeching ever again. To be connected to broadband you generally pay a flat monthly fee, often from as low as $20 if you are prepared to live with caps (limits) on the amount of data you download. With broadband you have the full range of Internet services at your fingertips.
Why is it better than dial-up?
Basically, it’s much faster than a 256kbps (kilobytes per second) dial-up modem, with speeds up to 2Mbps (megabytes per second possible). With broadband, you are also always online, meaning you don’t have to dial in every time you want to surf the Net: you just open a web browser and type in a web address. Although dial-up is ok for checking emails, it’s not much good for experiencing most web content these days. Photographs, audio and video files are too big and cumbersome for dial-up to deal with effectively, meaning you have to sit at your computer for hours if you want to carry out the same activities.
What sorts of broadband are there?
There are various ways of receiving high-speed, high-bandwidth Internet ( broadband). The most common method is via ADSL, using the same cable that your phone uses. Other increasingly popular methods include cable Internet, which is provided by companies who offer cable TV in your neighbourhood, or wireless Internet, meaning the modem you use has an antenna that receives mobile phone style signals from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), such as with the so-called “G” mobile phones. Wireless is generally more expensive than ADSL, as is Satellite Internet. Satellite Internet is exactly what it sounds like – your dish transmits to a satellite in orbit. This is a priceless (but pricey) service being made available for a growing number of Australians in remote places.
How do I get it and what does it cost?
There are dozens of ISPs offering ADSL (some now offering high-speed ADSL2+) in major towns and cities. ADSL will work out to be one of the cheaper ways to get broadband if you live in an urban area, but there is also the option of receiving Internet and cable TV in one deal with a cable company. If you have a laptop and move around a lot, however, you might prefer wireless Internet, meaning you can take your laptop around town with you. Basic capped deals (that put a limit on your downloading) can cost just $20 per month with ADSL, while satellite Internet can cost thousands to install and be up to $200 per month. Before signing up, identify the main ways you’ll be using the Internet – if you’ll constantly be downloading films, for example, you certainly don’t want a download limit.
What is bundling?
Nowadays, the number of services we “can’t live without” are stacking up. If you opt for a better known ISP to provide your broadband connection, you can get your Internet connection and your phone line “bundled” and pay a single set price for all services. There is also the option of including your mobile phone use, as well as your cable TV, if you opt for the relevant company.
What do I need?
To receive ADSL, you simply need a relatively fast computer (although slower ones get by) and a phone line. Your ISP can provide the modem, or it may be built in, as well as your router if you opt for LAN (Local Area Network) wireless in the home.
Getting connected is really very straight forward: find a company who offers a plan you like, set up the modem they send you and you’re away!
