• Buying Guide
• What is Broadband?
• Broadband Security
• Types Of Broadband
• Broaband FAQs
• Broadband Glossary
• Broadband Usage Levels

Broadband Frequently Asked Questions?

What is broadband?

Broadband is the term used to describe "higher bandwidth, always on services offering rates of 128kbps and above". (Definition given by Office of Communications (Ofcom))

What speed is broadband?

128kbps and above. With some broadband providers speeds can go as high as 24Mbps.

Does everyone in the UK have access to broadband?

An estimated 96% of UK homes and business have access to broadband via DSL or cable. (Department of Trade and Industry).

Can I get broadband where I live?

You can check with any service provider if they cover your area. Please use our broadband comparison tool to check if your postcode can receive broadband.

Will I need a telephone line to get broadband?

If you are looking for ADSL broadband (provided by BT or AOL for example) you will require an active phone line to receive the service. You may however live in a cabled area and will be able to receive cable broadband without a phone line, use our broadband availability checker to see if you are in an Virgin Media (previously NTL/Telewest) enabled area.

Why should I get broadband?

A broadband connection enables you to get a lot more out of being online. You can send and receive information quicker and it is the end of busy signals or intermittent connections.

With a broadband connection you can surf the internet without tying up your phone line. Broadband also allows for multiple email accounts so you can differentiate between business and personal emails.

What types of broadband are there?

See our types of broadband page for a full comparison of the types of broadband available.

How do I get broadband?

Have a look at our broadband comparison page for the best offers on the web. We keep our site updated with the latest offers and features from the top broadband providers.

You can also search the availability of broadband providers in your area by entering your postcode in our availability search box.

Can I stay online for as long as I want?

Broadband service providers do not limit the time you spend online. Most ISPs will charge you a monthly fee and let you download a certain amount of data. Some providers are also now offering unlimited usage.

Can my provider raise their charges during my contract?

You will need to have a look at your contract with your provider to find out whether they are within their rights. Most contracts include a provision for price increase but there is also usually another clause which says they have to let you know in advance. If you think they have acted in breach of the contract then complain directly to the provider and if you don't receive a satisfactory response, you may want to pass the complaint to Ofcom.

I cannot get broadband because my telephone exchange hasn't been set up for it - what are my options?

You may live in a cabled area, use our broadband comparison tool to find out if you live in a NTL/Telewest enabled area. If not, you should be able to receive broadband through a satellite connection, SKY currently provide broadband through their TV satellite and their are other satellite broadband providers available.

I keep reading about "contention ratios" in the press - can you explain what they are?

Browser settings, the number of people who share your connection and capped services are all reasons why you might experience poor performance.

My broadband runs much slower at different times of the day - can you explain this?

Browser settings, the number of people who share your connection and capped services are all reasons why you might experience poor performance.

How can I protect myself and my computer from computer viruses?

Please see our page on broadband security.

How do I switch to a different broadband provider?

Please see our page on changing broadband providers.

How do I know if my computer can support a broadband connection?

As a general rule of thumb, if your PC or laptop is under three years old, then you should be able to support a broadband internet connection. If in doubt, check the individual Internet Service Provider websites for their minimum requirements.