What do you need for Cable broadband?

By Anna Konig Staff Writer

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To connect to the Internet with Cable you will need:

1. To live within the cable coverage area (this is currently 46% of the UK)
2. Cable modem or Set top box (usually provided by your ISP)
3. USB or Ethernet cables (usually provided by your ISP)
4. Installation software (usually provided by your ISP)
5. A computer with either a USB port or a Network Interface Card (NIC)

Cable Coverage Area

To get Cable broadband you need to be within the coverage area, which is currently 46% of the UK. You can check if your area is covered by entering your postcode when you sign up to a cable Internet Service Provider.

Cable Modem or Set Top Box

If you take out Cable broadband separately then you will most likely get a cable modem that connects the cable in the street and your computer together. If you take out or already have a TV service as well, then you will get a Set Top Box with a cable modem built in.

Cables and Software

You're ISP will send you all the necessary cables to connect your computer to the Internet as well as the software necessary for the modem.

Computer Specifications

To connect to the Internet you will need a computer with either a USB port or a Network Interface Card (NIC). If you are going to connect more than one computer to the cable modem, it would be worth getting NICs and a router. If you are just going to be connecting one computer you can connect via USB straight from the modem.

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