Advice on broadband

[Guest]

Just moved house and need broadband but haven't done it before. Please can someone explain (in very simple language) what the options are these days? Do I have to have a contract with BT for a landline too? I'm closer to D Village where frankly mobile phone coverage is hopeless so presume mobile broadband is out. I don't have a TV (see, am luddite) so don't need that kind of bundle arrangement.

Thanks.

[Sharon_H]

I think that maybe http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/ might be of some help for you.

[Guest]

Thanks, but I already tried that and a number of websites and they don't really explain what you need. Also had a challenging and cryptic conversation with BT where the guy seemed unwilling to explain to me what was actually involved. I'm sure it must be possible to sort something out without being held to ransom by them but can't get to a clear answer. All rather stressful.

[Huguenot]

Hi MsB. It can be a little confusing.

You need some sort of connection to exchange data with the internet, and traditionally this means either a phone line, a cable line or a satellite connection. There are some experiments regarding provision over the mains electricity cables but it's not widespread.

In reverse order, the satellite connection isn't like Sky Satellite reception as you need to get data going both ways, so you'd need to buy specialist equipment.

'Cable' is like old fashioned cable TV - either your street has it installed or it doesn't - and it's a separate set of cables to the phone line. If you have cable you don't need a traditional phone line.

But for most people (probably including you), connection will be via a working phone line.

This doesn't mean you have to pay BT for it, but it does mean you'll have to pay someone for it! You can have different providers for the phone and internet services, but for most people packages represent better value for money and simpler billing. For example, my dad uses Talktalk for the telephone line and BT for the broadband.

[Guest]

Thanks, that's helpful. I think Virgin does cable in my area so I'll try them. Part of the problem with the BT contract is that they also apparently make you set up a direct debit for calls but as I already have two mobiles I'll never use it.

[David Mc]

There are useful sites like these:

http://www.broadband-help.com/

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/ukbb

Personally I use BT and have never had any problems.