Wireless routers, ADSL filters, unlimited bandwidth ... what does it all mean? There are a myriad of cheap broadband internet UK operations on the market and with most packages providing you with very similar features which selection criteria should you be using when attempting to choose?
Forget the terminology for a second. My top consideration would have to be good old customer service. Make sure the provider has a good record on customer service by searching google for phrases like "(company name) broadband review" and suchlike. Look for broadband forums and search the forums for mentions of the provider in question. Often this is enough research to help you thin down your list substantially.
Make sure you are totally clear in your mind as to the contract length which you will be signing up for. Many providers these days will require you to sign up for a 18 month contract or at the very least a 12 month contract. It can be a challenge to find cheap broadband Internet UK companies offering a month by month contract. However, even if you have to sign up for a 12 month contract you can often transfer your contract to another property should you move house.
Should you use cable or ADSL? Many properties in the UK are now served by a cable provider. On balance a broadband cable connection is a much more reliable and stable experience. Broadband ADSL connections utilise the existing phone line network and can be subject to outages and speed reductions. Having said that most people will have no trouble whatsoever with an ADSL connection.
When we are talking about ADSL don't pay too much attention to the maximum download speeds which many companies make a big deal of. The maximum download rate which you will be able to achieve in your property is dependent on many things, the distance from your nearest telephone exchange being a big factor. You should also make sure you do not have an overly long telephone extension lead inside your property for the ADSL modem.
As we have already mentioned, cheap broadband internet UK providers are two a penny these days and you can even find some free broadband deals on the market. To take advantage of free broadband with up to as much as 8Mb download rates you will usually need to take your phone service from the same provider. However this need not cost you more than you currently pay for your phone so it can be a very good idea to switch to a free broadband provider.
Hopefully this article has helped you navigate the minefield which is high-speed Internet access in the UK. Good luck in your quest to find a cheap reliable broadband service provider.
