Broadband Services Available to Home and Office Users in the UK

---

Introduction

This article describes the broadband services that are available to us here in the UK.

Go to contents

Contents

• Introduction
• Objective
• Overview
• Benefits of Broadband
• Don't Throw Away That Modem!
• Where to Buy
• Options
• xDSL
• Cable
• Satellite
• Wireless (Optical)
• The Future
• Conclusion

Objective

By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of the broadband service options in the UK.

Overview

There are many broadband services now available to us here in the UK. It is now the case that the broadband services in the UK are amongst the most competitive in the world.

However, this has not always been the case. For many years in the not too distant past, we've had to make do with analogue modems to connect to "The Net". The fastest modem available (they got up to about 56Kbps in the end) still took around 10 seconds to download an average web page, with times for pages with graphics & media significantly longer.

Happily, it's now the exception to access the internet by dial up technology. Broadband availability in the UK has exploded over the last few years and it looks like the technology is here to stay.

As speeds get faster and competition in the broadband provider space increases.

With bandwidth restrictions no longer an issue, companies and individuals are now able to deliver and subscribe to richer content websites and streaming media without the restrictions or yester-year. Broadband technology is liberating the way we live and do business in today's society.

This article explores some of the technical issues surrounding broadband services & technologies here in the UK.

Benefits Of Broadband

Depending on the device & contract you select, you’ll be enjoying all/some of the following:

• "Always on" connection.
• Low response times (Enhanced on-line gaming).
• Access to top quality (300Kbps) streaming audio & video media.
• Fixed price/unlimited access to The Internet.

Don’t Throw Away That Modem!

Broadband services and devices (such as routers) typically only give you access to the Internet. You will need to keep your analogue modem if you send/receive faxes from your PC.

Where to Buy Broadband

Please see the broadband service providers page for more information.

Options

xDSL

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) was originally designed for delivery video content over "ordinary" phone lines. It’s now being adapted to deliver Internet data at high speed.

The main benefit of this technology is that, in using existing phone twisted pair cable, there is minimal disruption (e.g. digging up the road) in routing to your house. Although it uses your existing phone cable, you can still make telephone calls whilst connected to The Internet.

DSL comes in several flavours, the most popular in the UK being Asymmetrical DSL (ADSL). This means that the download speed is different to upload and is typically 500Kbps downloading whilst capped at 200Kbps uploading. Currently, the fastest ADSL has the capability to run at around 24Mbps.

Recent advances in the technology have lead to Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line(RADSL). RADSL increases the range of standard ADSL from 3.5km to 5.5km. With RADSL, user coverage around DSL enabled exchanges is increased to over 90% availability.

Connecting xDSL to your PC is done either by a Network Interface Card (NIC) or USB port.

Cable

Often referred to as "Cable Modem" (CM), the term is slightly misleading. The device is not a "Modem" (i.e. Modulate/Demodulate for analogue) as such but rather a variety of NIC (digital).

CM uses the Cable TV feed to your house and so is restricted to those areas that have a participating Cable Supplier. In theory, Cable Modems can run up to speeds of 30 Mbps. In reality, cable companies will cap the speed at, typically, 512Kbps[download]/128Kbps[upload]. Also, performance & speed tends to degrade the more people are using CM in your area.

Radio/Microwave

Uses local "nodes" or "base stations" to transmit/receive data to your PC. Upload/Download speeds are usually consistent (i.e. symmetric). Charges are sometimes made by data transferred/unit time (usually MB per month) meaning it can get expensive if you are in the business of transferring large volumes of data.

Currently, these systems have very limited coverage and are only available in cities/towns where "nodes" have been installed.

Satellite

Needs installation of a "dish" on your house.

Data downloads are possible at up to several Mbps but the major problem with this solution is that it may require a dial-up modem link to complete the "upload" or request part of your connection to The Internet. The modem can add significant latency to the overall user experience and really makes this NOT an option if you plan to play multiplayer Internet Games. Some providers can offer 2-way satellite connections for much more responsive connections.

Wireless (Optical)

One of the biggest problems in getting broadband can be the last distance to your location. For example, it wouldn't be very cost effective if you're in a remote location if you had to have land dug up to lay cables for your computer network. An alternative might be to use optical wireless for the short distance from a relay station to your remote location.

This type of solution offers a dedicated link that uses light to transmit data between your location and the relay station.

Line of sight data

Each end of the connection (or "node") has some equipment installed (usually up high, e.g. on a roof). One side of the network at the relay station is connected to the Internet by a normal (i.e. underground copper or fiber optic cable) high speed link. The other side is connected to the optical device that relays data to/from you remote location up to about 1000m away.

How it could work in urban areas

	Looking to the future, it may be possible to easily roll-out broadband in inner city locations where it's difficult to dig up roads.
More info

The Future

Broadband speeds continue to increase. As of the time of writing, 24Mbps is possible and being offered by a few providers in the UK.

The future of broadband probably lies in the application of the technology rather than the technology itself. For example, in the future it may be possible to have all digital content into your office or home delivered by broadband. Fancy watching your selection of movie over broadband at the same time as your connected home appliances doing the shopping for you automatically?

Conclusion

One of the main restrictions when designing web pages and content that has historically faced designers is the speed and bandwidth restrictions imposed by old dial up modems. With a "mass" move to broadband, web designers are free to bring new, exciting content to you. For example, with the quality of video available over broadband, it would be possible to have a "Movie on Demand" website available worldwide.

We’ve talked about various options for getting connected by "Broadband". If you're lucky enough to live in an area that has Broadband coverage, you’ll need to consider the various options based on cost, set-up and general requirements.

Our comprehensive broadband service provider list and reviews gives you the best information on the internet when choosing your broadband provider.