The Definitive Guide To Comparing Broadband Speeds

Are you finding the comparison of broadband packages and range of speeds bewildering to say the least? Does confusion reign? Don't reach for the tablets just yet.

I have defined the most important points you should bear in mind when comparing the wide range of broadband speeds on offer through a broadband comparison site like ChooseISP, which allows you to compare broadband speeds of all the main UK broadband providers.

The five points below will help you to ultimately make the most suitable choice of broadband package in the easiest and fastest way possible. To coin a phrase, it will be easier than falling off a log.

Here is a 5-point check list for you to run through before making any firm decisions.

Once you have gone through it, you should have no trouble at all in making your decision about which high-speed broadband package you should choose, especially with the help of a broadband comparison table.

1. Amount of Usage

The first thing to look at, before you start comparing broadband speeds, is to decide how much you will use your broadband and for what purpose you intend using it.

For instance, if your use of the internet is considerable you should preferably choose a faster broadband connection with no download limits.

However, if you are not often online a cheaper but slower broadband connection might be preferable, even if it is possibly a bit more limited.

2. Cable or ADSL?

Where you live can have a marked influence on the speed of your broadband connection. Yes, it is definitely a case of location, location, location as the property Phil & Kirsty would have it.

Do you live in a cable area? If you do, then you will be able to receive Virgin Media Broadband packages by way of a fibre optic network which is really a bonus as cable networks almost always stick religiously to their advertised broadband speeds.

ADSL providers, on the other hand, make use of BT telephone lines which, for various reasons, are unable to provide accurate download speeds, offering only speeds "up to" a certain level.

The words "up to" should set the red lights flashing as they shrewdly disguise any speed shortcomings.

However, most places are enabled with ADSL Max, which means anything up to 8Mb.

3. Where you live is important (we did warn you about 'location'!)

Where you live is significant because, even though broadband technology has improved in leaps and bounds in the last few years, there are still some areas that are more equal than others. You have heard that hoary old chestnut before, haven't you?

The ADSL broadband speed in one part of the UK is vastly different from that in another part due to a number of factors, for one, the condition of your phone line.

To overcome this problem, a number of broadband providers, such as Be Broadband, O2 Broadband, Sky or UK Online make use of ADSL2+ technology, replacing BT equipment in the exchanges with their own, with the result that they can offer broadband speeds of up to 24Mb.

4. Is your phone line affecting your broadband speed?

If you one of those using a BT phone line to receive your broadband, the material condition of your line and how far you are from the exchange may affect your broadband speed, as the signal strength deteriorates over distance on copper telephone wires.

If you do live some way from your telephone exchange you should seriously consider using one of the ADSL2+ providers, such as Be Broadband and 02 Broadband to trap as much extra valuable broadband speed as possible.

Take the trouble to check your actual distance from your nearest telephone exchange, as the crow flies of course, before making your decision.

5. Avoid being ''throttled'' (does your car have a throttle AND a choke? Lucky you!)

Something to remember when you are analysing different broadband speeds is that in the evenings and at other busy times, broadband providers have to organise their internet flow so as to avoid ''traffic'' jams.

This means that people who have used up their bandwidth allocation or breached the ISP's "fair use policy" in any way will have their speeds cut, or "throttled", in fairness to fellow users on the broadband service. Beware the speed police. It may be enough to make you choke.

With this in mind, always look carefully at the broadband provider's Fair Use Policy or speed management system to see how this might influence your usage.

If you think you might be affected by this, have a look at the ISP policies of providers such as Be Broadband, 02 Broadband and PlusNet, whose users speak highly of their fair policies and transparency.

Shirley Stevens is a freelance IT journalist specialising in the UK broadband market. She writes extensively for broadband comparison site ChooseISP.co.uk, that compares broadband speeds and allows you to find the fastest UK broadband packages, or the cheapest broadband deals.

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