Understand better about the various broadband choices
August 31, 2009
Broadband is a high data-transmission rate internet connection that utilises either cable modem technology or DSL technology. Data transmission faster than 56 kilobits per second is possible through any of these technologies. Broadband has gained increased popularity in the recent few years in many countries. When compared to the conventional dial-up modems, broadband offers hundred times faster internet access attaining itself the title of “high-speed Internet”.
The slowest broadband speed advertised by the broadband is 256 kilobit per second and this speed is the commonly offered. However this industry has not defined any standard bitrate and thus broadband could mean low bitrate transmission otherwise termed as narrowband. As a result few customers are let down when they do not receive the promised speed of their connections.
About broadband technology
First of all you should comprehend your internet requirements and then choose an ideal broadband. In order to understand about the broadband services offered you will have to study about the broadband technology. Cost, speed and the location are primary concerns that will determine your broadband connections. You should know about the services offered by each high-speed connection and see whether it suits your internet requirements.
Multi-linking technologies are used by few of the internet service providers which is capable of offering double the surfing speed than offered by the dial-up modems. In order to make use of this technology you will need two telephone lines, two modems, two dial-up accounts and the ISP provider who offer multilinking. This technology is very old and was in use even before the existence of DSL, cable broadband and other higher-speed connections. DSL and cable modems are most commonly used broadband technologies in many countries.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which utilises the phone lines to carry digital signals without converting it to analogue signals, is the generally used broadband internet. This technology ensures faster data rates and gives the user the freedom to connect without using the phone line at anytime. As a result you could access incoming calls. Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) is one among the many types of DSL that is generally preferred by its customers.
Besides this, cable broadband is also available which utilises fibre networks for delivering cable television at home and internet access. The specified bandwidth needs to be distributed for a neighbourhood. In some building and condominiums cable is not previously installed and in order to access internet subscription cable needs to be installed. This is a lengthy procedure as building codes and other legal issues needs to be dealt first.
Next to the list is satellite broadband which is considered as an alternative to DSL. Costs for procuring an antenna or a dish to receive data signals from the provider’s satellite make it an expensive kind of broadband internet.
Latest among the lot are optical fibre and VDSL technologies which offer higher-speed Internet connections. Fibre-optic internet services have come into the scene very recently but they have enabled its customers to be able to connect to broadband Internet in an affordable way covering larger areas.
The greatest challenge confronted by this broadband is to provide the service even to low-population density areas. Installing the broadband equipment in an area will cost much. Many providers do not have the networks in rural areas as they are not sure if they could recover the costs or not.
Wi-Fi networks serve the internet needs of areas which has neither access to DSL nor cable Internet. HSDPA, EV-DO and stationary-broadband WiMax high-speed mobile Internet access are used in many countries. With broadband and other high-speed technologies you could meet the rising internet needs. Regarding the speed, reliability and performance you could rely on broadband internet.
Vodafone comforts its customers broadband speed upgrades
August 29, 2009
Vodafone publicized the initiation of mobile broadband network upgrades which comes as a relief to its customers in satisfying their internet requirements. Speeds to over 14 Mbps are increased in areas where it is needed the most. Birmingham and Liverpool in London is already upgraded. Jeni Mundy, Chief executive officer said that other location will be looked into on a continuous basis.
According to many websites such speculative rates may not be attainable in the real case regardless of the location from which they are accessed. ZDNet said that 14.4 Mbps speed cannot be achieved. Vodafone’s mobile broadband consumers will attain speeds between 1 Mbps and 5 Mbps.
T-Mobile topped the broadband survey
August 28, 2009
T-Mobile has won the poll that was conducted to find out the UK’s best mobile broadband provider. About 2,068 users were surveyed by YouGov in July who gave their opinions on 15 customer satisfaction aspects which included installation and user-friendliness.
T-Mobile attained highest scores in these two groups. Besides these, the network had topped in billing and customer satisfaction. It has been tagged as the company with the highest rating on the whole. In the same study carried out during the two previous quarters, T-Mobile had secured first position.
When compared to its contenders, T-mobile broadband has gained highest scores for value added service and data usage. It gained its gold medal for categories such as upload and download speeds. The results revealed the commitment of T-mobile to simple and reasonable internet services.
T-Mobile’s Head of post-pay marketing, Steve Mitchell pointed out that the survey has revealed the positive customer attitude towards the brand and it was indeed comprehensive. He said that they were the only provider to offer unlimited browsing without charges and this was an added benefit for their customers.
Earlier in the report of May 2009, T-Mobile has won just six titles out of 15 categories and this quarter they won eight. Richard Warmsley, head of internet and entertainment for T-mobile said that mobile broadband escalated the priority list for web users. He also pointed out the freedom given by them to the users to check e-mails and browse the internet.
Broadband customers informed about web threats
August 27, 2009
Broadband customers should give due consideration to the security and safety factors when buying broadband connection. Few clues and tips concerning this topic are provided by an expert in this industry. This way you will know how to be safe online.
The software developer’s senior technology consultant and dealer of Sophos, Graham Cluley has made clear that the economic slowdown has affected every area of consumers’ lives which includes web-threats. He said that hackers, who are “financially motivated”, use Trojan horses regularly in order to make possible money for malevolent internet users. He pointed out that these Trojan horses are not just copied like traditional viruses but are carried through spam mails. When this software hits your computer it can access information such as bank account detail and credit card information.
A number of spiteful internet users have understood that they could make easy money by using malware without highly risking themselves. He suggests that each day a number of strange malware comes out mostly attacking social networking sites. At times about 40,000 new malware appears.
Broadband user’s needs to invest on an advanced antivirus program, firewall and the newest security fixes to existing software so that they could stay away from trap of hackers. He said this following the data issued by PandaLabs which revealed a hike of 600 per cent of PCs infected by Trojans when compared to the previous year.
Which? Best buy broadband award for Zen
August 26, 2009
For the fourth consecutive year Zen has topped the list and won the best buy broadband award by Which?. Receiving the highest score of 87 per cent, Zen Internet won the eighth Best Buy award.
Next to Zen was O2 Broadband with not a bad score of 85 per cent, Utility Warehouse attained third position with 81 per cent and Be Broadband received 80 per cent. The satisfaction rates offered by broadband dropped rapidly after Plusnet Broadband score of 68 per cent. By the time it arrived at the watchdog’s Don’t Buy ISPs, the satisfaction rates have fallen to less than 40 per cent.
Which?’s list of Don’t Buy ISPs consisted of biggest providers in the UK including Tiscali Broadband with a satisfaction score of 39 per cent, Orange Broadband with a score of 32 per cent and AOL Broadband scored 31 per cent.
