UK's Fastest Broadband Provider

By Julia Kukiewicz Staff Writer Tuesday, 26 February 2008

How to Find the Fastest Broadband Package Broadband Speed Checklist: Before you Buy: Read our broadband package reviews – because there’s nothing more an annoying than an inconsistent service. Check your area – Try service provider websites or ask your neighbours. You could also try seeing how far you are from your exchange, the closer the better. Check the technology at your home – being plugged in rather than wireless and using a higher quality modem could slightly improve your speed. Is it the line or my computer? Try running a different computer on the same line (borrow a neighbour’s computer or use a laptop) Try using anti-virus and spyware programs Compare broadband speeds Compare Speeds of Broadband Only Packages (ie. Internet only) Compare Speeds of Broadband & Phone Packages (ie. Internet and Phone) Compare Speeds Broadband Bundle Packages (ie. Internet, Phone, TV and/or mobile) Related Fast Broadband News & Guides See our other recent related news about fast broadband: Is O2 Broadband Any Good? They're one of the fastest broadband providers in the UK, with a growing fanbase of satisfied users. So is O2 Broadband any good? Neil Hawkins finds out. How to Compare Broadband Speeds When comparing the fastest UK broadband speeds, you should look before you leap. Our fast broadband comparison guide should help you find the fastest broadband package for your buck. Kent Gets UK's Fastest Broadband The lucky residents of Ebbsfleet in Kent are the first to receive the UK's fastest broadband connection as BT's Openreach high speed broadband trials are completed in the area.

MANY of the biggest UK broadband providers are offering superfast broadband at supertiny prices. But how do you know which one will satisfy your need for speed? We tell you all you need to know about the UK’s fastest broadband packages and crown the UK’s fastest broadband provider.

You might have heard the news about plans to roll out 50 or even 100 Mb ultra fast broadband services in the UK.

The reality of super fast broadband is a little less super than that, however.

Be* Broadband currently offers the fastest broadband at speeds of up to 24Mb while Virgin Media and O2 Broadband canter in at a slightly more realistic 20Mb.

Suprisingly, there isn’t any need to sell your kidney to afford super fast broadband either with the most expensive fast broadband package coming in at just £24.99 a month while O2 Broadband customers can get 20Mb for just £15 a month.

With the UK average broadband speed a puny 2.9Mb according to a recent survey however you might be wondering if you’ll ever get those speeds.

Well, read on because you might surprise yourself…

Can I get Super-fast Broadband?

Whether or not you can get super-fast broadband depends on your area and your provider.
So that’s one thing you can change and one you can’t (unless you’re willing to move but we’re guessing you don’t need fast broadband that much).

The two factors in your area are the cables that carry the connection to your house and the exchange they’re coming from.

Because of various complicated things about contention ratios and one hundred and one other factors, aluminium or copper cables will never reach the top speed as advertised (this is what ‘up to’ means).

No broadband providers are currently offering all-fibre cables which might make this possible (no matter what Virgin Media’s advertising says).

The technology at your exchange will be either ADSL or ADSL2+. Of all the service providers only Be* Broadband and O2 Broadband will give you acess to ADSL2+: the fastest kind of exchange technology.

If you’re not getting at least around the speed you deserve, service providers will allow you to downgrade. In fact, O2 Broadband makes it their policy to recommend downgrading if you’re not reaching your top speeds.

Still, the question remains: is it worth paying extra for the time you save waiting for pages to load?

Do I need Super-fast Broadband?

Well, do you? It all depends on what you use your internet connection for.

If you’re using your internet for work, playing games, watching videos or TV or downloading music then a super-fast broadband connection will considerably improve your internet experience.

If you do not use your internet regularly and then only for browsing sites and looking at emails then you don’t really need super fast broadband.

It is also interesting to note that the broadband providers have got wise to this question and certain super fast broadband packages will be better suited to users with different needs.

If you’re a gamer, Be* Broadband's Pro package is for you. Not only will the speed make you far less likely to get (virtually) killed, the service prioritises gaming traffic so that your games won’t get slowed down by other windows or other users acessing the same service and significantly reducing latency and ping.

The UK’s Best Fast Broadband Package

So, it seems like the best broadband package depends on what kind of user you are. Well, yes. But remember there are other things to take into account.

Throttling and usage cap policies can be hazardous to the gamers and downloaders to whom super fast broadband is most likely to appeal, impeding service or piling extra pounds on to your bill.

O2 Broadband and Be* Broadband come top on these criteria with great upload speeds and wallet-friendly prices.

With this kind of broadband service you will want make sure that you will get what you pay for so customer service is extra important.

Of the big four from the table above we reckon Be and O2 Broadband are currently coming top again here. O2 Broadband – just a baby compared to Be - is already notching up an exemplary customer service record.

As for Virgin Media, while the vast majority of users don’t seem to have any problems they have been dogged with reports of less than satisfactory service.

So, the evidence is mounting that Be or O2 Broadband are shaping up to be the best of British for broadband.

Be Broadband’s £18 a month price for everyone beats all but O2 Broadband's special rates for O2 mobile customers, however, so that makes Be* Broadband's Unlimited package the UK’s best fast broadband package.

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