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As Broadband approaches ever nearer our far-flung corner of Bedfordshire, I thought I would dedicate this issue to it.
What is Broadband?
Broadband is a non-specific term for high-speed digital Internet access. It uses a technology called DSL which stands for Digital Subscriber Line. Basically, this technology uses the same copper wires your normal telephone line uses. Using this DSL technology Broadband also has the major advantage of being able to use the telephone line without disrupting your normal voice traffic, i.e. you can make and receive calls on your telephone whilst connected to the Internet. Currently in this area we are waiting on BT to install at the Carlton exchange a DSL Access Multiplexer which will enable our telephone lines for Broadband. BT have confirmed that the exchange will be up-rated by January 26th 2005.
Another option is to use the satellite option like that being offered by Mesh in partnership with the County Council (see www.meshbroadband.co.uk). This uses a receiver that enables anyone regardless of their distance from the telephone company to get high-speed internet access.
Do I need Broadband?
The costs of Broadband range from £15 to £30 per month for single user domestic applications. If you do a direct comparison between your current Internet costs you will probably find that broadband is more expensive. For example, if you are a “pay-as-you-go” customer you are probably connecting to the Internet at a cost of about 2.5p per minute. To warrant a £20/month spend on Broadband you would therefore need to be “on” the Internet over 13 hours per month. This direct comparison does not however take into account the extra benefits of Broadband which in the main comes from its speed. As a rule of thumb Broadband is ten times faster than a normal dial-up connection, therefore sending large files such as photos via e-mail become more feasible, talking to other people via web cameras becomes possible, downloading software becomes easier, shopping at Tescos etc on-line ceases to be so frustrating waiting for the Internet pages to up-date etc etc …… the list is not endless but larger than one might initially think.
As always, if you have any comments or little tips you have found out that you would like to share please e-mail me at barry@cactusfixit.co.uk .
Barry Wilson (Cactus Trading)