Simplifydigital looks at how you can get super-fast
broadband.
If you like your broadband quicker than a bullet train, then
super-fast broadband is for you!
Super-fast broadband is used to describe
broadband connection speeds of 24Mbps and above.
With these super-fast broadband speeds you could download music
tracks in seconds and watch live online TV streams in fantastic
quality.
Super-fast broadband in the UK is supplied from broadband
providers including; Virgin Media, O2, Sky, TalkTalk and BE
Broadband.
What do you need to get super-fast
broadband?
Super-fast broadband provided by Virgin Media is the fastest in
the UK. With super-fast broadband speeds of up to 100Mbps, Virgin
Media is the king of super-fast broadband.
Virgin Media super-fast broadband is delivered using cable
broadband. Cable broadband is delivered by Virgin Media on fibre
optic cables, fibre optic cables can carry huge amounts of data and
allow for higher broadband download speeds.
If you don't live in a Virgin Media cable area
you can still get super-fast broadband with ADSL broadband. This
type of broadband connection is through your BT landline. Broadband
providers such as Be Broadband and
O2 offer ADSL connected super-fast broadband. The
super-fast broadband ADSL can offer may not be as fast as Virgin
Media's 100Mb, but it's still able to handle a respectable
20Mbps.
Of course ADSL broadband is dependent on your distance from the
telephone exchange.
The broadband speed may not reach the quoted speed given by your
broadband provider if you are a long distance from the telephone
exchange.
Do I need super-fast broadband?
If you are a heavy user of the internet, have multiple PCs on
the same network or work from home, then super-fast broadband is
for you. Another reason for needing super-fast broadband would be
if you use the internet on a daily basis downloading
high-definition videos, photos, music and you watch on-demand
content from the likes of BBC iPlayer, you would benefit from
super-fast broadband. Watching TV online is a growing trend among
broadband consumers. Super-fast broadband would effortlessly stream
online TV - unlike using a 2Mbps connection which may cause the
programme you are watching to stop and start.
If you are serious about online gaming,
super-fast broadband is a must have. A super-fast broadband
connection would ensure your online gaming experience was smooth
and responsive.
However, if your internet connection is used about as much as
the bread maker you got for Christmas from Uncle Roy, you probably
wouldn't benefit from super-fast broadband.
Is super-fast broadband available in my
area?
The easiest way to find out if super-fast broadband is available
in your area is to check with the Simplifydigital smartsearch tool.
Pop in your postcode and you will see all the available broadband
options for your area of the UK.
Conclusion
Super-fast broadband may not be for everyone, you need to work
out your internet usage and see if it would benefit you.
Virgin Media offer the fastest super-fast broadband in the UK.
The Virgin Media XXL package offers speeds of up to 100Mbps.
BT is soon to offer super-fast broadband speeds of up to 20Mbps
for its ADSL customers.