Unlimited Broadband

Introduction

At the beginning of the mid to late 1990's the majority of UK households only had access to a dial up Internet connection. This was extremely slow at a maximum speed of 56k, it could take 30 minutes to download an mp3 music file and 30 seconds for a typical web page to load up. There were a couple of options like an ISDN line, but the prohibitive cost of ISDN meant only businesses could take advantage of it.

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Glossary of terms

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Introduction cont...

The solution the UK telecoms industry came up with was broadband. On average it's at least tens times faster than dialup, and allowed for a revolution in communications for the UK. It also allowed people to make phone calls while on the Internet, something dialup connections do not allow. Broadband can be obtained through a range of ways,

ADSL "Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line" - upgraded telephone line. The most common type of broadband connection, works by converting information in a more efficient manner.

Cable - is currently available from Telewest and television networks like NTL. A cable modems uses the exact same connection and infrastructure as your television cable. You will need a LAN card configured and installed for a cable-modem connection.

Wireless network - is now available from most ISPs. It allows for a connection from anywhere in your home. It's always 'on' while the router has power. The router shares its Internet connection with any wireless enabled computer in the surrounding area. It does this via radio waves. You need to make sure you secure your router, otherwise homes nearby can also share your connection.

Mobile network - used in conjunction with your mobile phone package.

Satellite - ideal for boats and rural areas with no access to ADSL or cable like the Scottish Islands. It has been dogged by slow speeds and high latency.

Increasingly providers of communications like home phone, satellite, cable, mobile, and broadband are offering services in a bundle. Customers of AOL for example will often find themselves bombarded with offers of cheap telephone calls.

First thing to do, check your postcode or telephone number. Quite a few rural areas of the UK still do not have access to broadband. Virtually every Internet Service Providers has a postcode or telephone number search facility to check the availability of your address.

What is unlimited broadband / bandwidth? Bandwidth describes the amount of data (usually measured it bits or bytes) that can be transferred over a period of time. With Internet Service Providers it is usually measured as a "Monthly Data Transfer Limit.".

Once this limit has been met you will no longer have access to the Internet for the amount of time left in the month. In theory an unlimited broadband service should have no limits to the amount of bandwidth you can use. This however is not usually the case.

Bit - one binary digit, lowest data amount on a computer

Byte - contains 8 bits, equal to one ASCII character, like '6'.

Kbps - 1000 bits Per Second - is a measure of bandwidth

Mbps - Megabits Per Second - greater amount of data than Kbps

There are limits with some unlimited broadband packages? If your a high end user it's vitally important you read the small print of your broadband contract. Even some of the proclaimed 'unlimited broadband' do have limits included in the small print.

Therefore if your planning to share movies or music files 24/7, or host an online games server you may suddenly have your connection cut off. ISPs usually include a phrasing in the small print like 'unlimited access up to a reasonable limit, extreme or unfair usage will be penalised, or your bandwidth will be restricted during peak times'.

For example at the moment these ISP's have unlimited limit policies,

AOL – ‘excessive usage may result in termination of accounts without any notice’

BT – ‘very heavy use of bandwidth will be ‘restricted’ at peak times’

Virgin Media – ‘unreasonable bandwidth usage can mean disconnection of service’

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The information contained within this site is general in nature, and may not be applicable to all Unlimited Broadband. We can also not guarantee the accuracy of the information.