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By Julia Kukiewicz
Editor
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
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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:
BT Launch Infinity Broadband
Will BT Infinity be the best super-fast broadband in the UK? Neil Hawkins reports on the launch of the newest broadband packages.
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.
How to Get Faster Broadband
If you're sick of hearing that the easiest way to improve your broadband speeds would be a move to Muswell Hill then this guide is for you.
Broadband Speeds Explained
It's not always down to paying for the fastest headline rate anymore, read on to find out which providers really do offer the fastest broadband speeds.
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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 100 Mb/s or even 1Gb/s ultra fast broadband services in the UK.
Home broadband isn't quite there yet: Virgin Media and BT Broadband are currently offering up to 50Mb/s and up to 40Mb/s connections respectively for those in fibre optic cable areas while Be Broadband is currently offering the fastest broadband over traditional copper wires - up to 24Mb/s.
That's still pretty quick, though, and there isn't any immediate need to sell your kidney to afford super fast broadband either.
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). BT and Virgin Media's services are both FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) which means that that crucial 'last mile; is still copper cable.
The technology at your exchange will be either ADSL, ADSLMax or ADSL2+. ADSL2+, the fastest kind of exchange technology is now available from the following providers:
If you're not getting at least around the speed you deserve, some 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.
For example, if you're a gamer, Be Broadband's Pro or O2 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 accessing 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.
The BT Infinity superfast broadband service has only just been released (as of 03/02/2010) so check back to see how that measures up.
So, the evidence is mounting that Virgin, Be or O2 Broadband are shaping up to be the best of British for superfast broadband.
O2 Broadband's £15 a month price for everyone, and just £10 a month for O2 customers makes their O2 Broadband Premium a serious fast broadband contender for the money conscious.
Be Broadband Pro or O2 Broadband's Pro packages are definately well suited to heavy gamers or serious web users.
And lastly, but by no means least, the UK's fastest broadband title is still held firmly by Virgin Media, with their 50Mbps broadband XXL - despite the latest attempts at speeding up our telephone lines by BT et al.
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