Broadband

[rarll]

what exactly is broadband and why is it so expensive

[siclark]

Ok well if you access the internet using a modem (modulator-demodulator) then when you send/receive data, then what is actually happening is the modem turns the data into (modulated) sound... squeaks beeps, crackles etc (you can hear it if you pick up another phone whilst connected). This is as opposed to using the actual telephone line itself to transmit the data. Broadband connections involve using your telephone line as a direct data connection rather than sending data as sound, as modulated sound only has a limited maximum speed. As to why it is so expensive, well, partly because the BT telecoms infrastructure is very poor, so they may need to upgrade part of their stuff in your house. Also you may need an ASDL modem or other such routing equipment. There is of course a lot more to it than that but thats it in a nutshell.

[j2buttonsw]

It isn't that expensive if you consider that one can pay �15 a month for unlimited 56k dial-up internet access or �25 per month for a 512k ADSL connection ie 10x the bandwith for �10 extra.

[rarll]

Thanks, I will now go and consider my options.

[rarll]

The other thing is - is it any good?

[j2buttonsw]

Mate, once you get broadband you will never look back. I am horrified at how slow a 56k modem connection is (how do you put up with it?) and would absolutely hate to go back to it.

[rarll]

That's that decided then , cheers for your help

[ThePuss]

I agree with the comment about never going back. But while I have no quibble with BT (their installation was ontime, working and tidy when they did it for me over a year ago), they really do need to speed up their technology, My wifes family in Japan have 8Mbs ADSL at home, and 12Mbs is coming on line at the end of the month, and its about 70% of the UK prices!