5 Things To Consider When Selecting Home Broadband

By Author: Jamie Hanson
Total Articles: 3534
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Selecting a Home Broadband provider can be a daunting task what with the technical jargon and sales pitches from the broadband providers. This guide aims to simplify this process by outlining the 5 key factors to consider when selecting a broadband provider.

1 - Speed
The first thing to be considered is the download speed of the broadband package. Todays home broadband reaches speeds in excess of 50Mbps in certain areas - so be sure to verify with the provider the EXACT speed available in your area. Most providers use the phrase "up to" when describing their broadband packages e.g. "Download Speeds up to 20Mbps" - do not be fooled as this typically means that the maximum speed available under ideal conditions is 20Mbps - this does NOT mean you will get a constant 20Mbps download speed. Double check actual speeds in your area before committing to a provider.

2 - Download Limit
Download limits vary from package to package so in order to determine a limit that meets you requirements you will have to weigh up just how much web browsing you plan to do. If you use the web primarily for checking email and ...
... shopping online then a download limit of 10GB/month would be sufficient. If, however, you use the web for email, shopping, downloading music and watching videos online it would be best to consider a package offering Unlimited downloads. It is worth pointing out that "Unlimited" packages typically have a "fair use" policy i.e. if the provider feels you are abusing the Unlimited download they reserve the right to cut off your connection - this really only happens in extreme cases and is nothing for the average web user to worry about.

3 - Contract Length
Contracts vary from provider to provider with the most common contract duration being 12 months. An increasing number of providers are opting for 18 month contracts with the payoff to the consumer being a slightly lower monthly cost. It is down to the individuals circumstances as to which contract length is better - for example someone renting an apartment for 12 months would not consider an 18month contract. More recently some providers have started offering "month by month" contracts whereby the customers obligation is for one month only and billed on a rolling basis.

4 - Equipment
Most, if not all, broadband providers include a wireless broadband router as part of their broadband packages. Be aware that some may charge a fee for this hardware so be sure to read the package details carefully before signing up.

5 - Package Deals
More and more companies are offering broadband as part of a larger "combo" deal. For example many cable and satellite TV providers also offer telephone and broadband as part of their bundles. Be sure to research your options fully if you are also considering a TV or telephone package - it can save a lot of money. Price comparison websites are often the best place to look for these deals.

BroadbandFinderNI.com is Northern Irelands first dedicated broadband comparison website.
Please visit Broadband Belfast to find out more about both mobile and standard broadband options.