What is broadband?

This may seem like a silly question to some. Broadband has become such an integral part of our lives we hardly give it a second thought. But what actually is broadband?

Well - in simple terms, broadband is a type of high speed internet connection that has surpassed dial-up as the standard way to connect to the internet.

Appearing in the early 2000's via BT phone lines, broadband was an 'always on' service, meaning you no longer had to hang up the phone to use the internet. The frequencies could be split into channels, enabling you to use the phone on one channel and the internet on another. Bye bye dial up, we won't miss you!

Broadband comes in all shapes and sizes, from ADSL broadband to cable broadband and mobile broadband. Here we will take a look at the different technologies used and how they differ.

ADSL broadband

ADSL, commonly called standard broadband, is the original broadband launched by BT. ADSL uses BT's existing copper phone lines to deliver the broadband signal, and is therefore the most widely available broadband connection on the market.

The speed of ADSL broadband you will receive depends on the distance from the local telephone exchange. The closer you are to your exchange, the higher your speed. The age or quality of the copper wires can also have an affect on your speed. Generally, ADSL broadband averages 10-11Mb.

Cable broadband

Cable broadband is broadband delivered in the UK via an upgraded network of coaxial cables and is something specific to providers like Virgin Media who run on their own network. You don't tend to hear this service referred to as cable broadband nowadays as they brand it as fibre optic.

Fibre optic connections are used from the exchange to the street cabinets (the green BT boxes you see on the street), but a coaxial cable is used for the last stretch from the cabinet to your home, rather than the copper wires used with ADSL.

Coaxial cable consists of a copper wire surrounded by a concentric conducting shield, separated by an insulating material. These are an efficient upgrade from traditional copper wires as their shielded design allows the centre conductor wire to transmit data quickly while being protected from external interference or damage.

Fibre Optic broadband

With fibre broadband, signals are transmitted as light through glass, rather than a copper cable. This makes it far faster and less prone to interference. A fibre connection can be either Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) or Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

FTTC - Fibre to the cabinet is when fibre optic cables are used as far as the cabinet on the street, then copper or coaxial cabling from the cabinet to your house. Data travels more slowly over the last stretch of copper or coaxial cable.

FTTP - Fibre to the Premises, or fibre to the home (FTTH) uses fibre optic cables for 100% of the network, all the way to your house, giving the fastest broadband speeds currently available. The downside is it is not widely available.

View fibre broadband deals

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband uses the mobile phone network to connect you to the internet and requires no cabling. It may be the only type of broadband available in very remote areas which happen to have a good mobile signal, and is very convenient for those on the move. However for most people this is not the fastest or cheapest form of broadband.

Satellite broadband

Broadband is delivered from space to a satellite dish on your house. Whilst this means that it is available pretty much anywhere in the country, it is not very fast and is also expensive. It is usually a last resort for those who live too remotely to get broadband by any other means.

Technically speaking, no - though the two terms are often used interchangeably.

As we talked about above, broadband is the technology that brings internet into your home, be it via ADSL, fibre or one of the other methods. WiFi is the technology that your router uses to then broadcast the internet signal around your home.

Choosing a broadband provider and package can be difficult. Let's look at some of the things to consider.

Price

Arguably the most important factor for most people. Some providers charge set up fees or increase prices mid contract so these need to be taken into account. It is also tempting to get the best package, but this might be an unnecessary expense if you are only a light user. Keep your budget in mind when looking at packages.

Speed

Nobody likes slow internet, so it is important to check the speed that deal offers against how likely you are to actually get this speed at your house. Opting for the highest speed available may seen like a good idea, but could be a waste of money if you only use the internet to browse social media and check your emails.

View our guide on broadband speeds

Availability

Not all deals are available in all postcodes, so it is important to check with the provider who can tell you what is available where you are.

Contract length

The length of contract can really impact the monthly cost. Contracts are usually 12 or 18 months, but in some cases you can find contracts of up to two years. Consider contract length carefully, especially if you are renting.

Special Offers and Freebies

Special offers and freebies can help to sway your decision. This can be anything from introductory lower fees, cashback or free gifts, to extras like WiFi hotspots, free virus protection or exclusive customer offers.

Bundles

More and more people are choosing to bundle their broadband, TV and phone together into one package. This can help make life a little bit easier with only one bill and one account to manage, as well as saving you money. Bear in mind though that not all providers offer TV packages, particularly the more budget friendly providers.