Broadband Beginner's Guide - page 4

What Else Do I Consider, How Do I Choose the Best Broadband Deal for My Needs?

We've looked at connection speed and download limits, but what else do you need to consider when choosing from all the different broadband Internet packages?

Cost

Expect to pay a minimum of £15 per month for a package, more if you're going for one of the faster connection speeds. Make sure you factor in any one-off costs such as installation fees and any extra equipment you might need to purchase.

Your Existing Computer

Is your computer up-to-date? If it's less than 5 years old, there's probably nothing to worry about, but you should check that your computer meets any minimum requirements the provider specifies in their small print. If your computer is too old and slow, it may be unsuited to a broadband connection; in this case an upgrade may be necessary. And make sure your operating system is supported - your computer may be fine, but if you're still running Windows 95, it may be time to upgrade your software! If in doubt, the supplier should be able to offer advice.

Extra Equipment

Will you need to install any extra equipment inside your computer, such as a network card? Will the Internet service provider send someone to set up your computer to work with the broadband connection, or will you need to make your own arrangements? Check the details of the deal carefully to make sure there are no hidden installation costs or potential pitfalls.

Support

How will the company respond if things go wrong? It's easy to overlook this factor when comparing deals from different suppliers, but you should give it some consideration. If your Internet connection stops working, how quickly will you be able to get through to someone who can resolve the problem for you? This is where word of mouth can really help - either from people you know or through reviews in magazines or online. If a company's reputation is made up of horror stories about hours spent on hold, or engineers not turning up to install equipment, you may decide to take your money elsewhere.

Your Email Address

If you are switching from a dial-up Internet account to a broadband account and are changing companies, consider what will happen to your email address. If you use a web-based email provider such as Hotmail, your email will not be affected when you switch to broadband.

However, if your email is provided as part of your existing Internet package, you probably won't be able to take it with you to a new company. If keeping your old email address is important to you (perhaps you use it for business), you may be restricted to staying with your existing provider and any broadband deals they may have on offer.

Final Checklist

Once you've fully-digested this getting started guide, return back to broadband.co.uk and search for the best deals in your area. From there, you can use this simple checklist, to find the best deal for you:

The Key Considerations:

• What kinds of Broadband connection are available in my area?
• What speed will I need?
• Is a download limit important to me?

Other Things To Consider:

• Are the connection, modem and installation included in the cost?
• Do I want a 12 month contract or do I want to 'pay-as-I-go'?
• What level of support is available from the company, and how quickly will they fix a problem?
• Is my email address important to me? Do I mind that I might have to use a new address?
• Finally, check the 'small print'. Does my computer meet the ISP's minimum requirements or will I need to upgrade my computer or software?

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