Asymmetric DSL broadband services offer a choice of speeds from up to 10 to up to 40 times faster than a standard telephone and modem. ADSL allows information to be downloaded more quickly than it is uploaded and is ideal for home and small business use.

• 512Kbps – this speed of service is ideal for Internet surfing and for downloading and sharing files, music, pictures and clips for small businesses and in the home. Most UK broadband connections are 512Kbps.
• 1Mbps+ – if you need to download many files and documents regularly you may be working from home or you need to download extremely large files audio, video or complex graphics - you may benefit from a higher speed broadband service.
• A 1Mbps service is up to 20 times faster than a standard phone and modem and a 2Mbps service double that. Even faster speeds are available over private circuits and leased lines but these are generally used by medium-sized and larger businesses and organisations rather than by home users.
• Higher speed broadband services are also being developed. Trials are starting in April 2005 with a view to launching higher speed services nationally from the autumn.

SDSL broadband

Symmetric DSL (SDSL) services offer the same range of speeds as ADSL broadband ie. 512Kbps, 1Mbps and 2Mbps. The key difference is that the files and documents you upload (send out) travel as fast as those you download.

• An SDSL connection can be crucial, particularly for homeworkers and small businesses that need to send out large audio, video or graphics files and documents regularly.
• With SDSL broadband it is not possible to use the phone to make and take voice calls while you are online.

Wireless broadband

'Wireless broadband' is often used to describe two very different things:

• Wireless networking in the home or workplace. Using a special modem (a router), you can link your computers and other devices to your broadband line without trailing cables and wires. Each device needs a wireless networking card fitted.
• Wi-Fi broadband. Wireless broadband services are available at 'hotspots' in thousands of public locations across the UK and around the world. All you need is a notebook computer with a wireless networking card fitted and you can buy vouchers for access online.

Checklist

New broadband customers may also want to consider and ask about the following factors when choosing a broadband supplier:

• Contracts - check the minimum term, any periods of notice and any penalties.
• Capping - check if it is an unlimited service or if downloads are capped.
• What's included - check for email, web space, data storage capacity, extra security, parental controls, special content and features.
• Support - check what's available and when and how much it costs.