Broadband connection

Once you've chosen what type of broadband connection will work for you, you can start to look for the package that suits your needs.

There are only a few different types of broadband connection, and where you live will be a major factor in deciding which kind of connection will be best for you.

Most people have an ADSL broadband connection. This is because it is the most widely available of the broadband connection types. It's also the easiest to set up because it allows you to get a broadband connection through your BT phoneline.

Compare ADSL broadband

Cable broadband connections are generally only available to people in urban areas.

Compare cable broadband

You can use our postcode checker to find out what kind of broadband connections are available where you live.

ADSL Broadband connection:

Around 80 per cent of the people connecting to the internet in the UK are connecting through an ADSL broadband connection.

ADSL is popular because with an ADSL Broadband connection you can connect to the internet through your existing BT phone line without disrupting your normal voice calls.

Because ADSL connections work by splitting your phoneline into two separate channels, one for data (internet) and one for voice (telephone), you can be connected to the internet and on the phone at the same time with no additional line or software.

Although you do not need an additional phone line for an ADSL broadband connection, you do need a modem. If you are planning on setting up a network you can also buy special broadband routers, also called ADSL gateways. These come with ADSL modems built-in.

Getting an ADSL broadband connection through your BT phoneline does not mean you need to choose BT as your Internet Service Provider (ISP). You can choose from a range of ISP's and still keep your BT phoneline.

We'll help you find the best value ADSL Broadband packages and compare ADSL Broadband Deals

Cable Broadband Connection:

Cable broadband connections offer home users a fast and reliable broadband connection for a fixed monthly fee. This type of broadband is only available if you live in an area serviced by the UK's cable network.

Cable is the system of providing television, telephone and broadband connection through the use of physical, fibre-optic cable layed under the ground instead of copper wires.

Virgin Media owns the UK's cable network and offers a cable broadband connection as part of its cable packages. This means that only around 12.6 million homes, generally in urban areas, have access to a cable broadband connection.

Cable internet connections require a special modem, which is connected to the cable along with a cable TV receiver box and often a phoneline as well.

You can compare cable packages that include telephone and TV channels with a cable broadband Internet connection.

Wireless broadband connections:

Wireless broadbandconnections offer a wire-free connection to the internet for one or more devices.

Most wireless broadband connections use a wireless router to transmit the signals coming from your broadband connection around a designated area. The signal can then be picked up by multiple wireless enabled devices like games consoles, PDA's and laptops allowing them to access the broadband connection.

Wi-Fi allows you to access your broadband connection in every room in your house without the use of cables. It is especially useful for those with laptops or families where more than one person wants to connect to the internet at once. You can even enjoy broadband connection in your garden.

Mobile Broadband Connections:

Mobile broadband connections are the newest way to access the internet.

As the name implies, this technology allows you to get a broadband speed connection on the move - anywhere you can get mobile phone signal.

Mobile broadband connections are accessed via the 3G mobile phone networks offered by 3, T-Mobile, Orange, Vodafone, O2 and Virgin Media, using either a mobile broadband dongle or MiFi unit.

Orange, O2 and 3 offer mobile broadband connection speeds of up to 3.6Mb. Meanwhile, T-Mobile's service's maximum connection speed is 4.5Mb.

Vodafone and Virgin Media offer broadband connection with greater speeds of up to 7.2Mb in some areas, particularly in London and major UK airports.

Depending on the type of dongle or MiFi you are using, your broadband connection speed can vary; it is therefore worth considering the device you will be using to connect to the internet when choosing your package.