What broadband capacity is needed?

[Tefler]

I'm thinking of migrating (I think that's the right terminology!) to Sky Broadband, but have been given a choice, which is always a bit of a pain. We can have the base deal, of up to 2GB download per month and up to 2Mb download speed; the 'everyday' deal, which gives up to 10 MB download speed and up to 10GB monthly usage allowance; 'unlimited' deal, giving up to 20 GB download speed and unlimited usage allowance.

We use the internet principally for finding information, although we sometimes watch youtube clips and catch up with TV on the BBC i-player - a bit jumpy currently with our Tiscali broadband deal. I also, on occasion, buy music and download it to my MP3 player and have attempted (though not successfully as yet!) to download the occasional podcast.

I have no idea which of these packages I would need to take and am hoping for some advice.

[Androcles]

Not a direct answer to your question, but I always think go for the fastest you can afford, since whilst you have listed your current use which may be OK for one of the slower packages, if you need to upgrade it later, it can be pain to do. You can also run out of monthly allowance which can also be a pain, becuase you always need it urgnetly at the time!

[ChuckFickens]

remember the speed of connection you get is dependent on your phone line and your exchange, not necessarily on what you pay for.

If you pay for 10Mb/s it doesn't mean you will get that speed.

Put your postcode in here to see what speed it reckons you will actually get.

http://www.broadband-...tools/line-check.html

[Androcles]

Good point, CF!

[Androcles]

Although is Sky delivered down a phoneline or by cable?

[ChuckFickens]

Sky is just another ADSL service through the phone line.

The only difference would be if Tefler lives in an area that has been local loop unbundled (LLU), in which case they would be able to get "possible" speeds of upto 24Mb/s

LLU basically means that instead of connecting to BT equipment in the exchange SKy will have installed their own equipment into the exchange.

[cazzz1975]

also just to add, when I had broadband from a bt line, despite being close to the exchange my broadband coverage was virtually zero

[Buenchico]

Others seem to be concentrating upon the speed of your connection but your question seems to be primarily related to your monthly broadband usage: Try each of these calculators. (If you get different results, simply assume that the highest figure applies):
http://www.broadband.org/usage_calculator.html

http://www.simplyswit...usage-calculator.html

http://www.webuser.co.uk/broadband/calculator

http://www.comparebro...k/broadbandusage.html

http://www.which.co.u...and-usage-calculator/

Chris

[Tefler]

What a fantastic bunch of answers: I now have the information I need to make a decision. Thank you all for your help.