Why Use Broadband?
Broadband delivers the internet you've always wanted, with full-screen video, better games and instant music. At the end of 2003, OFTL reported that more than 2 million people in the UK were connecting to the internet using broadband. But what is broadband and how does it work?

Broadband isn't a single technology. Rather, it's the name for any form of high-speed access. Up until 2002, it was only really available to business users who could afford to spend thousands of pounds on leased lines. Now, broadband is available to almost anybody.

Broadband connections are at least 10 times quicker than modems, and they're permanent - which means no per-minute charges when you are online. Instead of watching video clips the size of a postage stamp, you can enjoy full-screen movies, while games online benefit from faster reaction times. Web-based software starts to make sense and online file storage becomes genuinely useful. Quite simply, broadband delivers the internet you've always wanted.

Even the slowest (and therefore cheapest) 512k ADSL services will give you speeds of around 45-50kbps (Kilobytes per second), a massive improvement over modem connections that typically deliver 4-5kbps. MP3 files download in around 60 seconds, and it is possible to listen to streaming music at almost CD quality. Similarly, RealVideo and QuickTime movies become bigger and better now that you have the available bandwidth to download them.

Four types of broadband
Broadband comes in four main types: ADSL, cable, wireless and satellite. Although they all work in different ways, they all provide very fast internet access, running at least 10 times faster than a regular modem connection. The four main types of broadband:

1. ADSL
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) uses your existing phone line to provide high-speed internet access. Only a fraction of your phone line's capacity is needed for voice calls so ADSL technology can utilise the rest of your line for computer data.

2. Cable
Cable modems do a similar job to ADSL except that they utilise the fibre-optic cables that is shared with your television cable line. In the UK, this means that you do not need to go through BT; instead you need to use a specially designed modem which connects your computer to the cable company's network.

3. Wireless
Using an antennae and a Wi-Fi card (see the Digital Home Complete Guide to Wireless) you can connect to a base station which is, in turn, connected to the internet. Many home users now have their own wireless access point so that they can have wireless broadband access throughout their home.

4. Satellite
Although still utilising a modem, page requests are sent down a phone line to the satellite ISP (Internet Service Provider), which then beams web pages via its satellite. To receive the signal you will need a satellite dish and a network card. Download speeds are around 2Mbps, but upload speeds are very low. Newer services do not require a modem and offer faster uploads, but these tend to be more expensive.

Most of these systems are asymmetric which means that you don't get the same speeds for uploads and downloads. For most people this isn't a problem - when you're using the web you receive far more data in the form of graphics and multimedia files than you send.

Limitations of broadband
A broadband connection doesn't necessarily mean that you get the fastest data transfer possible. ADSL and cable broadband are contended. This means that other people in your street with broadband access are sharing the bandwidth.

The average contention ratio for these services is 50:1, or 50 users sharing the same bandwidth. Business packages and some cable services offer better contention ratios of 20:1. In practice, only a handful of people are likely to use the service at the same time and you're unlikely to notice any problems. You can also opt for a faster connection, but you'll have to pay for it.

The other speed issue with broadband is the same for any other internet connection and that is your connection is only as fast as the point between you and a website, and the speed of the website server but at least you'll be able to get to the server faster than a modem user!

Ten reasons to go broadband

1. Magic music
CD-quality MP3 files can play immediately, making services such as MP3.com or Shoutcast a real alternative to the radio

2. Vivid video
Full-screen video over a modem connection? No chance. Broadband finally five you the bandwidth you need to watch internet video as if it was on TV 3. Fantastic Flash
Flash animations add life to even the dullest site, but the files can be pretty hefty. Broadband gives you instant animation as a result of decreased download times.

4. Gripping games
Banish the dreaded modem lag and start shooting other players before they've even seen you. Broadband gives you a serious edge over gamers struggling with slow modem connections. It's not just PCs that can go online - the latest games consoles can play games over broadband and download the latest upgrades and patches too.

5. Demon downloads
150Mb game demos and 80Mb software updates used to be a terrifying prospect, meaning hours spent staring at the download progress bar. With broadband you can get your downloads in minutes.

6. Streaming software
Companies such as McAfee offer web-based programs that never go out of date. Instead of buying your software, you could rent it instead.

7. Constant connections
Unlike people connecting through unmetered ISPs, broadband users don't get cut off every few hours. The connections are permanent and you can be online 24/7.

8. Virtual voices
It's possible to make cheaper phone calls over the internet using VoIP (Voice Over IP) or web chat software. Or, if you prefer, you can use your regular telephone whilst using your broadband connection on your computer to surf the web.

9. Thrilling 3D
Technologies such as QuickTime VR, VRML and other 3D standards are great, but the download can be hefty. Broadband makes virtual worlds appear in a flash.

10. Flat fees
It doesn't matter if you're online for an hour or 100 hours: broadband is charged at a flat fee per month, with no nasty per minute charges.