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Posts Tagged ‘Broadband Test’

The new high speed broadband packages that are now available are enabling people to work from home and many people have opted to do just that. For disabled people especially, broadband has provided them with a way of working from home in comfort and ease.

As broadband has become faster and more widely available, many groups of people have turned to their computers to finance themselves. Freelancers are the group that mainly use the internet, whether it be for a job they currently have or to look for a suitable employer, the internet has been made very accessible by broadband packages.

Many people run their own business from home or work for an employer, but whatever they do, working at home enables them to get back into work and the technology has allowed them to keep track of market trends which will be useful if they decide to go back to the workplace. A recent study conducted by a well-known research firm shows that 36.8 million Britons use the internet regularly, this is a significant percentage of the country and shows the influence the internet has had over us.

Those who have chosen to work from home need to ensure that their connection is quick enough to be able to cope with the programmes they require to do their work. The broadband speed test allows the customer to quickly work out the speed he/she is likely to receive. As working from home requires high speed broadband, ensure you do not choose a slower speed just to save a few pounds a month.

The most expensive deals are not always the best, cheap broadband is available and can be more than adequate for people working from home. For the best deals shop online and compare the best deals available at the click of a button.

Why take the time to compare Broadband Providers? Aren’t all Broadband Providers essentially the same? It is not just those who are new to the Internet who think in this way. You see an advert on the TV for a Broadband Provider who is promising an all singing, all dancing service and think ‘That sounds great… where do I sign up?’.

However, it is essential to know what you are getting before agreeing to a service, so you may be wandering what main points you should look at when doing a comparison…

•    Speed: The desire for a fast connection is fuelled by online gaming and services such as Limewire and iTunes. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the actual speeds available to you. Take note that you are far from guaranteed to get the speeds advertised and ‘Up to…’ will become an all too familiar term.

•    Reliability: In addition to a fast connection, be sure to consider reliability. A fast connection is essential if you are planning on making use of a service like BBC’s iPlayer, but if your connection isn’t stable it will render the programs unwatchable.

•    Download Capacity: Whilst the number of Broadband Providers offering unlimited downloads is growing, this shouldn’t be taken for granted. Many services still have a cap on the amount you can download, and when mixed with a fast connection this can be used up quickly. However, take note that even so called ‘Unlimited’ deals occasionally come with a ‘Fair Use’ policy which prevents excessive downloading.

•    Customer Service: Even if you pick out a service which ticks all the boxes, imagine you have a problem regarding the service once it has been installed, and then you are forced to sit in a queue on a premium rate number only to be given the wrong information. Be sure to read customers reviews prior to signing up, and you’ll have a sneak peak at the service you can expect.

Compare broadband, and run a broadband speed test online to ensure you have the cheapest and most efficient broadband on the market.

During this article, I will attempt to answer some FAQ’s that many people ask about wireless broadband;

Why should I be interested in wireless broadband?

If you only use one computer and the computer is right next to a phone socket then you don’t need to be interested but for everyone else wireless broadband is extremely important. A typical household has more than one computer, maybe a laptop or 2 and the only way each one can receive the internet is by having wireless broadband.

Is it secure?

When you set up your cheap broadband service, you will be asked to set up a password for your network. Once this is set up then nobody can access your network without the network key. There are two types of security, WiFi Protected Access (WPA) and Wired Equipment Privacy (WEP), WPA is the one most people are recommended to have as it adds another level of protection to your computer.

Do I need any special equipment?

A wireless ADSL modem router will be needed; this is the device that fits into the phone line. Some providers will issue them as standard but always check because you may have to buy your own. To be able to connect to the wireless you will need a network card for each computer/laptop needing to be connected. Network cards are relatively cheap to buy and easy to get hold of.

What are the disadvantages?

The main one is that all modems have a range and if your computer/laptop is out of that range, it won’t pick up any signal and you will lose connection to the internet. Some modems have different speeds, the best way to see what you are entitled to is to take the broadband speed test which will tell you what speed you can expect for your postcode.