Broadband Updates UK

What’s in the News for Tiscali Broadband?

broadbandupdatesuk — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:15:28 +0000

Italian provider Tiscali Broadband has been up for sale since May last year. To date we have not heard whether they have a buyer, but there have been some interested parties making bids for the business, although Tiscali Broadband has to date not considered any of these offers.Both Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone have been interested parties and it appears that Tiscali has an asking price of ₤600 million. Carphone Warehouse made an offer of ₤550 million and was turned down so they pulled out of the bidding, then Sky Broadband came in with an offer of ₤450 million! Unfortunately they also did not manage to persuade Tiscali Broadband, but if they had they could have become the third largest supplier of broadband in the UK. A deal such as this would have increased their users to 3.6 million, the other two top suppliers are Virgin Media with 3.8 million subscribers and BT with 4.5 million subscribers.

Tiscali Broadband provides business and other broadband products with super-fast speeds which range from 2 Mbps to 16 Mbps. This is an always-on connection and it is a simple matter to connect all of the PC’s in your business or home through one simple router, for one monthly fee. 16 Mbps is a 160 times faster connection speed than any dial up connection.

One of the really great things about Tiscali Broadband is free domain registration, this means that your company name can be used in your web and email addresses, for instance, www.yourcompanyname.com and mail@yourcompanyname.com. Extra security is provided by means of free anti virus and anti spam software, and Tiscali Broadband scans emails for viruses on your behalf. This is taken care of by means of a specially configured firewall so that all malicious programmes are kept away from your PC’s, keeping them safe from threats. This also prevents mailboxes from becoming cluttered with unsolicited email. They also have an exclusive offer on at present for Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2006, which is available at a cost saving of 24%.

All the Tiscali Broadband packages include 1Gb email storage, twenty separate email accounts, commercial web space, and technical support which is available 24/7. There is a free static IP address available which is important for running video conferencing, secure authentication and an independent email server.

http://www.broadband-offers.com/tiscalibroadband.html

“Fair Usage” for Broadband Wireless

broadbandupdatesuk — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:30:06 +0000

Many UK broadband wireless services issue a contract which states unlimited downloads, but also comes together with a “fair usage” policy; others have a set download limit. Broadband wireless users are notorious in their desire to download as much as possible, including internet TV streaming, music, movies and catch up services such as BBC iPlayer. If you are in this category and you don’t want to wind up with a large broadband wireless bill or slow connection, you need to understand more about fair usage policies and how they apply.The first thing to understand is there not really any such thing as “unlimited” broadband wireless downloads. Basically this all depends on the fair usage policy; inserted into your contract by your broadband wireless provider. If you regularly exceed the limits set in the fair usage policy of your broadband wireless account, you might have your broadband speed throttled, find yourself being upgraded to a more appropriate and more expensive product, or even find your services being terminated. It bears consideration before any user goes mad downloading things from the internet, that they check the small print in their contract which outlines fair usage.

Recently Sky broadband wireless removed the fair usage policy from their Max Broadband package. This makes Sky one of the only real unlimited broadband wireless providers around. This package costs ₤10 per month and has download speeds of up to 16Mbps. Any consumers who have a broadband wireless package with set download amounts are going to be charged extra for exceeding their contractual monthly allowance. Costs do vary but they are around ₤2 per GB.

Choosing the correct Internet Service Provider is also important for heavy downloaders. For instance Be Broadband has designed its contracts with heavy downloaders in mind, their broadband wireless contracts do come with both “unlimited” downloads and fair usage policies. But this provider is generous with allowances, and it is rare that Be Broadband enforces restrictions. They also provide the top headline speed in the UK at 24Mbps. Customers are also able to personalise their broadband wireless with Be, to prioritise reliability, web surfing, speed and online gaming.

http://www.broadband-offers.com/wirelessbroadband.html

Broadband Speed Test

broadbandupdatesuk — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:30:24 +0000

Even though you have bought an 8Mbps internet connection, you might find that it is running a little slow. There is a way to find out what the problem is by running a broadband speed test. A broadband speed test will tell you relatively accurately the speed your broadband is currently achieving. Recently a national campaign was run in the press to ensure that UK broadband users are obtaining the speeds promised by their ISP’s. It has come to the attention of the public that they are not getting the speeds that they paying for, so to check this, consumers should run the broadband speed test.There are a number of internet sites where the broadband speed test can be conducted, but remember in order for this test to be as accurate as possible, you have to ensure you are not uploading or downloading anything at the time of the test. Speeds might vary during different times of the day or if the user has a programme open which requires internet connectivity, therefore any programmes running should be disabled.

These programmes include, but are not limited to:

* Instant messenger or any chat software
* Email checking software
* Open windows
* Internet radio
* Mp3 downloading software
* MS Windows updates downloading

Even if all programmes are shut down there is still a slowdown of abut 10% during the running of a broadband speed test. This is because the system is still performing a function as the window refreshes. There is also server ping and internet lag to be considered so if your broadband should have a speed of 512Kbps, it will only reflect approximately 450Kbps in the broadband speed test.

Broadband speed tests are more accurate for users who are in the UK if the server used to conduct this is close by. The further the connection has to travel the less accurate the broadband speed test will be. UK based ISP’s and servers for broad band speeds tests are more accurate as the averages response time is shorter.

A broadband speed test works by sending a small file and timing how long the connection takes to download this. The size of this file is varied according to the speed the connection is supposed to run. This gives a reasonably accurate indication of the speed of the connection.

Get a free broadband speed test at http://www.broadband-offers.com/broadbandspeedtest.html

UK Broadband and the Credit Crunch

broadbandupdatesuk — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:55:31 +0000

With the credit crunch in the UK still in full swing, fewer people are going to be looking to sign contracts for broadband in their homes. This also applies to other home entertainment packages such as digital TV. However broadband companies have taken all of this into account and we find them passing savings down to the consumer.A good example of a UK broadband company which is offering discounts to consumers to help with the credit crunch is Virgin Media. They have a new package on offer for 2009 which is going to save the consumer money. Consumers are being offered three months of free services on an eighteen month contract, and this offer is open until 18th February. At a time when belts are tight, this broadband offer comes in very handy as it will save the consumer ₤105 for three fantastic services. The services include:

* Up to 10Mb fibre optic broadband
* TV with more than 95 digital TV channels
* Phone with unlimited weekend UK landline calls

The package also includes a V+ HD box and with a saving of ₤51 for installation (normally ₤150, now ₤99). There couldn’t be a better time to install broadband in your home.

O2 is also offering consumers three months of free broadband if they sign up for a contract before the end of January. This offer applies to O2 Broadband’s Premium and Pro packages, both of which now offer speeds of as much as 20Mb. This kind of speed in a broadband offering for less than £10 a month is already great and the Premium package costs £9.97 a month for existing customers or £14.68 for standard customers. This means
by signing up before the end of January, new consumers could save themselves as much as ₤44 on the Premium broadband package, and ₤66.06 on the Pro broadband package. Both of these packages are subject to a twelve month contract, but also come with a 30 day money back guarantee.

These two examples of broadband providers who are helping UK consumers to beat the credit crunch, are only two of many. Finding a cheaply priced broadband provider in the UK is relatively simple; it just takes a little shopping around.

http://www.broadband-offers.com

How to Improve Your Broadband Internet Speed

broadbandupdatesuk — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:00:10 +0000

Many people believe that the broadband internet speeds they achieve are entirely up to their broadband provider. This is not necessarily so, the hardware being used is relative as are the settings being used by the computer. If you are frustrated by a slow broadband internet connection there are a few tricks which can be used to try and speed things up, before considering switching to a more expensive package with a higher speed. You could try asking your ISP to speed things up, or if you have had the same package for a long time you may be able to get upgraded to a better package in a re-contract agreement, for more or less the same price.People believe that if they have chosen and are paying for an 8Mbps broadband internet connection then this is the speed they will receive. However there are a number of variables which come into play, such as the distance from the exchange, traffic and congestion. It is very rare that a person paying for a particular speed will receive this.

The most effective and simplest way of speeding up your broadband internet connection is to close unused icons in the “quick tray”. You will find this at the bottom right hand side of your screen. These applications regularly check for online updates and can slow down your broadband internet connection, closing them will stop this from happening.

Adjusting browser settings can also help, most users have Internet Explorer, and this is generally the Microsoft package which comes standard with a PC. Version 6 is the version most widely used, and this programme downloads files on a web page in sequential order, therefore web pages which contain a lot of pictures take longer to download. Upgrading to Version 7 can improve your broadband internet speed, and also using a different browser, such as Mozilla Firefox. It is however important to remember to be very careful when making changes to the settings on any computer.Routers may also be tweaked or adjusted to open up ports and this also increases your broadband internet speed.

Please visit http://www.broadband-offers.com to compare the latest broadband deals.

ADSL and Cable Broadband in UK

broadbandupdatesuk — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:40:42 +0000

Broadband in the UK is generally obtained through an internet service provider (ISP); it works through an ADSL or a cable connection. The only difference in these two connections being the installation process, thereafter, once the broadband has been installed; there is very little practical difference between the two.ADSL broadband in the UK is supplied by different broadband providers including AOL, Be, BT, Tiscali and Sky and makes use of the British Telecommunications (BT) copper wire network. This is exactly the same network that is used by telephones and it can be used to connect to the internet. Most ISP’s provide a high speed modem or wireless router free in their packages, so you shouldn’t need to buy one. You might have to pay a connection fee to your ISP, but most companies waive this fee unless you leave their service less than a year after taking out a contract.

Cable ISP broadband in the UK is operated by companies such as Virgin Media and if you live in an area which is serviced by this company you won’t need to have a BT phone line, for instance if you live in Hull you may be able to obtain a Kingston cable connection. You would have to enquire with Virgin Media if you are interested in a cable broadband UK connection. Virgin Media will arrange for a technician to come to your home, they will install the cable line and you might be charged a fee for this. Note availability will depend on your address.

Broadband in the UK, whether cable or DSL connection, will allow access to a huge amount of information. This is available 24 hours a day, and you are also able to keep in contact with friends, family and colleagues all over the world by email.

In this day and age broadband in has become essential for most households. It is estimates that more than 50% of UK adults are connected by broadband to the internet. Broadband also allows user’s access to digital TV and VoIP (Voice over internet phone) services. The advantages of broadband in the UK are many; you don’t have to wait to connect as the connection is always on. You can make use of the internet whenever you like, and a flat bill rate replaces the call costs you would incur when making use of a dial-up connection.

To compare the latest broadband offers please visit http://www.broadband-offers.com

Virgin Media Broadband offers 50Mb speed

broadbandupdatesuk — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:46:36 +0000

Recently Virgin Media broadband released a broadband internet service with 50Mb fibre optic speed.

The service is the fastest in the UK and will be weclomed by the speed hugry internet surfers who watch alot of online video or are gaming online for hours on end.

To compare Virgin Media to other top broadband suppliers please visit http://www.broadband-offers.com.

New UK Broadband Updates blog

broadbandupdatesuk — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:33:09 +0000

Hello and welcome to our broadband blog.

Broadband internet technology is changing all the time so on this blog we will provide the latest updates, news and deals related to broadband in the UK.

We hope you find the blog helpful and interesting.

To compare the latest broadband offers from the UKs top broadband providers please visit http://www.broadband-offers.com