What Is Broadband?

Broadband Definition
Why choose broadband over a standard dial-up service?

Broadband Definition

Broadband essentially provides high-speed Internet access over a standard phone line, satellite or cable connection. Broadband comes from the words "broad bandwidth" and is also occasionally referred to as wideband transmission. It can be defined as telecommunications term used to denote the provision of a variety of channels and data over a single communication medium, such as a phone line or digital cable.

Why choose broadband over a standard dial-up service?

Speed

The main advantage of a broadband connection over a standard dial-up service is its speed. Whereas standard dial-up modems have a maximum speed of 56Kbps, broadband can offer between 512Kbps and 50Mbps connection speeds - up to 900 times faster than dial-up. Subscribers should be aware, however, that connection speeds can vary depending on the number of users sharing bandwidth and the distance to the nearest telephone exchange. Generally the closer you are to your BT exchange, the faster your broadband will be. Use our broadband speed test to find out the current speed of your internet connection.

Connectivity

Once you have subscribed to broadband, it is 'always-on', meaning that once you have logged on, your PC is online until it is turned off again. There is no need to wait for your modem to dial in, make a connection and verify your password each time.

The majority of providers now offer a wireless router as standard, meaning you can connect as many devices as you need to your broadband connection. This means that at once one person can be on the phone, another searching the Internet and another playing computer games online, all through the same broadband connection. There is no need to wait your turn when you have broadband!

Flexibility

You usually pay a monthly subscription fee to use broadband rather than paying per minute as on dial-up. This enables the user to have total control over their internet costs, within the stipulated download limit, rather than dreading the arrival of the phone bill.

The market for broadband providers is always changing, with companies now offering phone calls, digital TV and broadband, all under one monthly bill. Keep checking back to see which services are being offered – you might be able to save more than you think.

Use our broadband comparison tool to compare broadband providers in your area