Broadband

How to Use Broadband

THE Internet has become a major part of our everyday lives and for many of us, a necessity which we would struggle to be without.

Broadband is the most simple and diverse method of connection around, with loads of companies bringing new deals to the market to try and secure your business. This is good news for the consumer, as the increased competition means that you are sure to find a package that suits your needs at a price you can afford.

Things to watch out for:

Broadband Customer service
Smaller providers have consistently come out on top in reviews of customer care, while larger companies consistently fail to please.

Outsourcing of call centres, a bias towards acquiring new business and a focus on keeping the client through contract clauses, have all been cited as factors contributing to their demise.

So remember, that although you may have to pay slightly more for a smaller provider, the quality of support provided should outweigh the hours of frustration you could have incurred.

Retention strategies
Don’t be rash when choosing your broadband provider, because chopping and changing broadband providers can be far from simple, let alone costly!

With providers binding you to contracts and being obstructive when you try to leave, it is imperative to investigate customer service as thoroughly as you can before signing up. If possible, try and get a recommendation from a friend.

Making the most of your bundle:

To get the most out of your broadband, use the bandwidth to it’s full capacity with these activities that were previously impossible with dial-up.

Music downloads
It’s now possible to download songs within seconds and whole albums in minutes, which is certainly faster than a shopping trip (just make sure you do it legally!).

Stream video
With sites like YouTube on the rise, why not capitalize on their services by watching videos while they download (this is known as streaming).

Play games
If you’re bored of sitting alone playing the computer, why not try playing online against some ‘real people’ from across the globe. Most broadband providers support online gaming for XBox 360 and PS3, and we have found Plusnet (who prioritise gaming traffic on the network) and Be (who offer incredibly fast up and download speeds) are the two best providers for online gaming.

Most ISP’s will specify minimum requirements for broadband usage; however, the better your computer is the more you will enjoy what broadband has to offer, so it may be worth considering upgrading software and/or hardware to get the most out of your monthly broadband payments!

Compare broadband packages