ADSL Broadband

ADSL Broadband is the name given to the most common type of broadband - broadband internet services delivered to your home over the phone line. With ASDL Broadband, you can download music, pictures and stream video clips from several computers and make calls simultaneously, unlike the old dial-up method where you had to disconnect from the internet if someone wanted to use the phone. The speeds available on ADSL Broadband connections are mostly affected by the distance between your house and the telephone exchange - as a general rule of thumb, the closer you are to the nearest exchange, the better your broadband service will be.

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Select your package below:

Provider	Package	Speed		Download Limit		Setup Cost		Monthly Cost	Rating
18 Months	Orange Home Max Get a £20 HMV Gift Card! Save £6.50 for 3 months! FREE Evening & Weekend UK Calls. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need to take out Orange line rental £10.50pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first 3 months and £6.50 a month thereafter. You'll need to take out Orange line rental £10.50pm Customers who take the Broadband and Mobile option also qualify for the first three months of Broadband (£6.50 a month) for free (although the cost of line rental is still payable).	More Info 0800 072 2357
12 Months	BT Total Broadband - Option 1 FREE Wireless Home Hub, FREE set-up and FREE Basic Security. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	FREE	=	£15.99£15.99 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49.	More Info 0800 328 1522
12 Months	PlusNet Extra FREE wireless router. FREE set-up if you take home phone on a 12 month contract. You'll need Plusnet line rental £11.25pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	60GBBroadband with a huge monthly usage allowance of 60GB.	+	£25.00	=	£11.49£11.49 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out Plusnet line rental £11.25pm.	More Info 0800 073 1120
12 Months	Virgin ADSL National 10GB Broadband with Weekend Calls FREE for the first 2 months, then £10pm. FREE Weekend UK Calls, Free Wireless Router & FREE Internet Security. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	£35.00	=	£10.00£5 a month for the first three months, then only £12 a month. There is a one-off set-up cost of £35 for new customers.	More Info 0800 840 5343
12 Months	Virgin ADSL National 40GB Broadband and Weekend Calls FREE for the first 2 months, then £14pm. FREE Weekend UK Calls, Free Wireless Router & FREE Internet Security. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	40GBBroadband with a huge monthly usage allowance of 40GB.	+	£35.00	=	£14.00£8 a month for the first three months, then only £16 a month. There is a one-off set up cost of £35 for new customers.	More Info 0800 840 5343
12 Months	Be Value FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm. More Info »	Up To 8Mbps	+	40GBBroadband with a huge monthly usage allowance of 40GB.	+	FREE	=	£13.79£13.79 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm.	More Info
12 Months	BT Total Broadband - Option 2 FREE Wireless Home Hub, FREE set-up and FREE Basic Security. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	15GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 15GB.	+	£50.00	=	£20.99£20.99 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49.	More Info 0800 328 1522
12 Months	Sky Unlimited Without TV New Offer - get just broadband from Sky! No need to sign up for TV. FREE Evening & Weekend Calls. FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out Sky line rental £11pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	UnlimitedBroadband with no usage limit.	+	FREE	=	£10.00£10 a month on a 12 month contract when taken with Sky Talk. You'll need to take out sky line rental £11 a month. If you do not take out Sky Talk this package costs £15 a month. Set-up is free.	More Info 0800 840 5344
12 Months	O2 Premium FREE for the first 3 Months, then £10pm for O2 mobile customers. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54. More Info »	20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first 3 months, then only £10 a month for O2 mobile customers, with non-O2 customers instead paying £15.	More Info 0800 840 5342
18 Months	AOL Broadband Only FREE for 1mth, £4.99 for a further 2 months and then £14.99pm. FREE Unlimited UK Calls Router & Set-up. You'll need BT line rental £11.99pm. More Info »	Up To 8Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	FREE	=	FREEFirst month free, then £4.99pm for the following 2mths and £14.99pm thereafter. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.99pm.	More Info 0800 049 4402
12 Months	PlusNet Pro FREE wireless router. FREE set-up if you take home phone on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out Plusnet line rental £11.25pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	20GBBroadband with a large monthly usage allowance of 20GB.	+	£25.00	=	£16.49£16.24 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out Plusnet line rental £11.25pm.	More Info 0800 073 1120
18 Months	AOL Broadband with Evening & Weekend Calls FREE for 1mth, £4.99 for a further 2 months and then £9.99pm. FREE evening & weekend UK Calls. You'll need BT line rental £11.99pm. More Info »	Up To 8Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first month, £4.99 for a further 2 months, and then £9.99 a month. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.99pm.	More Info 0800 049 4402
18 Months	AOL Broadband with Evening & Weekend Calls & Line Rental FREE for 1mth and then £9.99pm. FREE evening & weekend UK Calls. You'll need BT line rental £11.99pm. More Info »	Up To 8Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first month, then only £9.99 a month. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.99pm.	More Info 0800 049 4402
12 Months	Sky Lite FREE Evening & Weekend UK Calls. FREE Router. £60 Set-up existing Sky TV customers. You'll need Sky line rental £11pm & a TV Subscription More Info »	20Mbps	+	2GBBroadband with a monthly usage allowance of 2GB.	+	FREE	=	£5.00£5 a month when taken with Sky TV package. You'll need to take out Sky line rental £11 a month.	More Info 0800 840 5344
18 Months	Orange Home Select Get a £20 HMV Gift Card! FREE Evening & Weekend UK Calls. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need a BT phone line & but you can keep your existing line rental provider. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£9.00£12.00 a month on an 18 month contract or £9.00 a month for customers with an Orange Pay Monthly mobile phone contract. You can keep your existing line rental provider.	More Info 0800 072 2357
3 Months	Be Unlimited 3 Months FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	£24.00	=	£20.43£20 a month on a 3 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm.	More Info
12 Months	Be Unlimited FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£17.88£17.50 a month on a 12 month contract. £2.00 per month optional email bundle. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm.	More Info
12 Months	PlusNet Value FREE wireless router. FREE set-up if you take home phone on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out Plusnet line rental £11.25pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	10GBBroadband with an ample monthly usage allowance of 10GB.	+	£25.00	=	£6.49Only £6.49 a month. You'll need to take out Plusnet line rental £11.25pm.	More Info 0800 073 1120
18 Months	Orange Home Starter Get a £20 HMV Gift Card! FREE Evening & Weekend UK Calls. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need a BT phone line & but you can keep your existing line rental provider. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£7.00£10.00 a month on an 18 month contract or £7.00 a month when taken with an Orange Pay Monthly mobile phone contract.	More Info 0800 072 2357
12 Months	BT Total Broadband - Option 3 FREE Wireless Home Hub, FREE set-up and FREE Basic Security. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49pm. More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£24.99£24.99 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £9.49.	More Info 0800 328 1522
12 Months	O2 Broadband & Home Phone £9.50 for the first 3 months. FREE Evening & Weekend Calls. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. O2 line rental is included. More Info »	8Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£9.50£9.50 for the first 3 months, then only £17 a month. You need to be an O2 customer to take advantage of their home phone service.	More Info 0800 840 5342
18 Months	Orange Home Ultra Get a £20 HMV Gift Card! FREE Anytime UK Calls. FREE Wireless Router. You'll need to take out Orange line rental £10.50pm More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£10.50£13.50 a month on an 18 month contract or £10.50 a month for customers with an Orange Pay Monthly mobile phone contract. You'll need to take out Orange line rental £10.50 a month.	More Info 0800 072 2357
12 Months	Sky Unlimited FREE Evening & Weekend UK Calls. FREE Router. £30 Set-up existing Sky TV customers. You'll need Sky line rental £11pm & a TV Subscription More Info »	Up To 20Mbps	+	UnlimitedBroadband with no usage limit.	+	FREE	=	£12.50£12.50 a month when taken with Sky TV package. You'll need to take out Sky line rental £11 a month.	More Info 0800 840 5344
3 Months	Be Pro 3 Months FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	£24.00	=	£24.52£24.00 a month on a 3 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm.	More Info
12 Months	Be Pro FREE Wireless Router & FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	UnlimitedBroadband with no usage limit.	+	FREE	=	£21.97£21.50 a month on a 12 month contract. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54pm.	More Info
18 Months	TalkTalk Essentials FREE for 6 Months! FREE Evening and Weekend UK Calls! FREE Wireless Router and FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out TalkTalk line rental £12.04pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	40GBBroadband with a huge monthly usage allowance of 40GB.	+	FREE	=	FREEFree for 6 months, £6.99 a month thereafter on an 18 months contract. You'll need to take out TalkTalk line rental £12.04 a month. Customers living in non-LLU areas can still get TalkTalk broadband, but it will cost £21.49 a month.	More Info 0800 049 7842
12 Months	O2 Pro FREE for the first 3 Months, then £17.50pm for O2 mobile customers. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54. More Info »	20Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first 3 months, then only £17.50 a month for O2 mobile customers, with non-O2 customers instead paying £22.50.	More Info 0800 840 5342
12 Months	O2 Standard FREE for the first 3 Months, then £7.50pm for O2 mobile customers. FREE Wireless Router & Set-up. You'll need to take out BT line rental £11.54. More Info »	Up To 8Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	FREEFREE for the first 3 months, then only £7.50 a month for O2 mobile customers, with non-O2 customers instead paying £12.50.	More Info 0800 840 5342
18 Months	TalkTalk Plus FREE Evening and Weekend UK Calls! FREE Wireless Router and FREE Set-up. You'll need to take out TalkTalk line rental £12.04pm. More Info »	Up To 24Mbps	+	Unlimited*Broadband with no usage limit, but a fair usage policy does apply.	+	FREE	=	£14.99£14.99 a month on an 18 month contract. You'll need to take out TalkTalk line rental £12.04 per month Non-LLU customers can still get broadband from TalkTalk, but at £25.49 a month.	More Info 0800 049 7842

ADSL Broadband

ASDL is short for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, due to the fact that the download speeds and upload speeds differ, with the download speed typically being the faster of the two, hence 'asymmetric'. The reason for this is because consumers of broadband internet services typically download more information than they upload, and so will want faster download speeds, as opposed to the two speeds being equal - by contrast, this type of broadband service is called SDSL, Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line.

When talking about download speeds with regard to broadband services, it is worth mentioning that this does not exclusively refer to how fast you can download large files, like MP3s, for example. Download speeds also refer to how quickly a web page will load over a connection, as your computer downloads information for things such as links, pictures and text from the web, then displaying them on your screen.

A common misconception with regards to the monthly usage limits on some ADSL Broadband products is that you can download up to that amount in MP3s, videos, updates, patches for programs, games etc, but this is not the case - general browsing of the internet also contributes towards your usage limit, so just because you have a 10GB usage cap, don't think that you can start downloading hundreds of music files and think it's OK.

The main advantage of ADSL Broadband is its availability. ADSL connections and services are available practically everywhere in the country - wherever you can get a phone line, you can generally expect to be able to get ADSL Broadband. As ADSL Broadband connections are so plentiful, there are also a greater number of money saving bundle deals available than, say, cable or mobile broadband services, and so generally speaking, ADSL Broadband services often represent the best value for money.

The chief disadvantage of ADSL broadband is that the quality of service largely depends upon how far away your house is from the nearest telephone exchange. The further away you are from your exchange, the slower and less reliable your broadband service is likely to be, due to the physical distance electronic signals have to travel between the premises and the exchange - this is the main reason why broadband connections in remote rural areas typically suffer from slower speeds; some locations are so far away from the nearest telephone exchange that achieving broadband services just isn't feasible. However, it has recently been announced that by 2012, the Government plan to have every home in the UK able to achieve broadband services in some form, using a combination of ADSL broadband lines, as well a fibre optic cable and mobile broadband solutions.

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