Alongside essentials like gas, water and electricity, a broadband connection is rapidly becoming a service that few people can do without at home. Whether it's used for downloading music and movies, playing online games or just browsing the Web and doing emails, access to the Internet opens up a world of opportunities.
But selecting the best broadband package for the home can be confusing as there are many different options to consider and a large number of providers.
This simple guide is intended to help you make the right decisions.
Are Broadband Bundles with Phone and TV Good Value?
Many telecoms companies offer discounted bundles that include both broadband and phone and these can be great value for money but beware of hidden extras like additional line rental which may only show in the small print. Some companies also provide bundles that include TV channels as well but look closely at which channels are available and be aware that if they aren't delivered via a fibre optic network or satellite, but via ASDL broadband instead, the picture quality may not be terribly good and HD may be impossible to watch.
These bundles are sometimes also called double play or triple play packages.
What Broadband Speed do I Need?
A key consideration for many people will be what speed of broadband can they get? Providers will quote fast speeds of 15Mb or more but for many homes the reality is usually very different. For example, according to Akamai's January 2010 'The State of the Internet' report, the average broadband speed in the US was just 5Mb.
The broadband speed you need will largely depend on what you're going to use it for and how many devices you have. If you have just a couple of devices and only intend to do a bit of Web browsing and emailing, even a 2Mb speed or slightly below may be ok. But if you have multiple devices, such as computers and games consoles, all requiring Internet access then something a lot faster is needed. Also consider that your needs today may be different to your needs in 12 or 18 months when you may also have devices like Internet TV that could require 20Mb speeds to stream HD video.
Go with the fastest speeds you can with the budget you have. If fibre optic cable is available in your area, choose that instead as it will provide more reliable speeds. Remember as well that if you're planning to share images online or play online games, a fast upload speed is important as well so aim to get one that's at least 2Mb.
Should I Worry About Download Limits and Traffic Management?
Many telecoms companies impose some sort of limit on how many gigabytes of data can be downloaded each month, and going over it may result in an additional penalty cost. Avoid broadband packages that have monthly download limits below 20GB as it can be very easy to reach that, especially when viewing videos, and the penalty cost may be as much as upgrading to a package offering more. If possible, choose a package with no limit, or at least one that's 30GB or more.
A downside of packages with high or unlimited download limits is traffic management, which many telecoms companies impose restricting how much data can be downloaded during certain peak times of the day. Unfortunately, this is often a necessary evil to ensure that those people downloading large amounts of data at peak times, such as HD movies, aren't slowing down broadband speeds for others in their area.
In practice, traffic management may mean you can only download 3-4GB in the evening and if you go over that your speed may be automatically throttled back to a fraction of its normal speed. Most people aren't impacted by this though but if you think you will be, performing large downloads outside of peak hours may be a more cost-effective option to choosing a more expensive broadband package that may allow unlimited downloads.
What Extras are Available with Broadband Packages?
Most telecoms companies offer many extras included in the price of their broadband packages to entice customers. Typically all provide free email addresses and online storage but not everyone may need this. For example, if you use free webmail packages like Gmail you may not want to switch to a different provider and online storage may only be useful for those people who want to back-up files online instead on devices like external hard drives.
Other extras may include free security software, which is good, and even free digital photo prints. Look for companies that provide free wireless routers and telephone support as these can be otherwise costly.
Anything Else to Consider?
Like any utility or a mobile phone contract, you should assess the value and service you're getting from the telecoms company providing your broadband when it's time for renewal. Take the time to look for alternative suppliers if you're not happy and if cost is the main issue, your current supplier may give you a discount to keep your custom if you tell them you're switching to someone else.
Finally, if the speed you can connect to the Internet is slower than the broadband speed you know you're getting, check your hardware first. If you're using a wireless router, it may be that it has a speed limit and can't cope with speeds above 20Mb . The performance of your PC can also be a big consideration and you may want to upgrade to benefit from a fast broadband speed - read this PC buying guide for help choosing. Even your Web browser can be slowing down your access, so if you're using Internet Explorer for example, consider moving to Firefox or Chrome.
Jason Glover - Jason Glover has worked in the marketing teams of major companies for over twenty years, including over ten years in online marketing ...
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