Gettin broadband for a laptop

[lauraswift]

I am going to sound really stupid but I have no idea about computers or networks so it's back to basics to explain to me!
I currently do not have a landline phone or broadband but I have purchased a laptop and wish to connect it to the internet wirelessly. There is a phone plug in my house but I'm not connected. How do I go about getting broadband and what do I need to do? If I buy a router with built in modem, where does this plug in and how does the laptop pick up the signal? I'm guessing I firstly get broadband, but not sure with who. I don't really want a phone, do I have to have one?
Can someone with the knowledge talk me through what I do when I'm starting from scratch.
p.s I don't have a desktop pc, only a laptop so it's not really a network.

[Paulst30]

First up, if your laptop has a Centrino processor then you can link to a wireless network.

Secondly its worth finding out if your area has broadband. Pop your phone number into the availability checker on this site

http://www.bt.com/broadband

Once you have established that you can get broadband and then at what speed, you can then search for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) Theres loads to choose from and its personal preference along with affordability.

You will probably get all the hardware needed to connect to the net via the ISP, i.e the router and cables etc, so dont buy a single thing until you find this out.

hope that helps

[fo3nix]

Two types of broadband:
-cable broadband, same as cable TV
-ADSL broadband, through a phone line

You probably want ADSL broadband (from BT, Tiscali, or most other providers), and so need a working phone line. You may need to phone BT and get it connected (paying some fee), and can get a type of line that only allows for very limited calls, but also broadband (last time I used this, about a year ago, it was about �12/quarter).

Once you have a phone line and phone number you can get broadband from BT or Tiscali or anyone you like. They often send you a modem, and some even send you a wireless router now too.

If you don't get a wireless router as part of the package then you'll need to buy a wireless router and modem package, like this one:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/118010

Then you'll also need a wireless laptop. If your laptop is quite new it's probably already wireless. If not, then get a 'wireless dongle'. The item I linked to above comes with one (only �2 more as it's on special offer so worth it).