What Is Broadband? |
Quite simply, the term Broadband is used to describe a connection to the internet that is fast. How fast varies from on supplier to another and from one plan to another.
The slower route to the internet is now known as 'Dial-Up' whereby you had a modem connected to your telephone line. This type of connection requires you to connect when you want to use it to surf the internet of use your email. With this type of package, you usually pay for the amount of time you are connected and this setup is now regarded as slow.
A Broadband setup typically isn't that much different to look at than a 'Dial-up' option. You still have a modem and it's connected to a phone line, unless you have a Cable connection (we will deal with this later). With this option, you no longer have to connect when you want to use the internet because your connection is 'always on'. You also don't get charged by the minute either, you pay a set monthly fee instead.
So the two options, on the face of it don't seem too different. They are though. With a Broadband connection to the internet, you will be able to download music, video or trial software a great deal quicker than Dial-up. A Broadband connection also opens up the world of Video and Music broadcasts to you. You will be able to enjoy these as they are meant to be enjoyed. This would effectively not be workable using dial-up. If you play games, this would now be available to you and enjoyed by many millions around the world. Quite simply, everything you do will be better and faster than with Dial-up.
Broadband is not difficult for you to install either. If you already have Dial-up you will find the process very similar. If you haven't got connected yet, we would suggest you go the Broadband route straight-off, don't bother with Dial-up. It will soon become too
restrictive and isn't that much cheaper per month for the
average user.
So you sign up to your chosen provider (ISP - Internet Service Provider), arrange for installation of the required equipment, part of which will be a CD containing the required software for your PC. Once installed, you connect to the internet and away you go!
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