Connecting

Despite regular reports of new broadband services being rolled out, not all parts of the region can immediately avail of these services. So you might not have all of the choices available.

Before you decide on a broadband service, whether for home or business use, you should first consider your needs.

• What do you expect of broadband?
• How much do you want to spend?
• What connection speed is likely to match your expectations?
• Is technical support and reliability important?

This section outlines the main factors to consider when making your choice.

Cost

The costs involved in broadband vary depending on the facilities you require. Services for home users range from about ?20.00 to ?50.00 per month, depending on the options chosen; business packages cost a little more, and prices increase depending on the speed and services required.

Many of the service providers have introductory packages which start at a lower price for the first few months. These provide a low-cost way to try broadband without too much commitment to see if it meets your requirements and expectations. Be aware that only a small percentage of people give it back.

Some providers offer broadband for a limited number of hours per month, for light users of the Internet who want to avail of broadband speeds (note that these do not provide "always-on" access).

Several providers also offer bundled combinations of line rental, phone, Internet and/or digital television services at cost-saving prices.

If you are a business user you should consider your needs carefully. Connection speeds, number of PCs to connect, facilities, technical support, and service level agreements all have to be considered.

At one end of the scale a basic package will suit a small business with only one PC accessing the Internet once or twice a day. Typical uses include checking email, monitoring software updates and visiting a few websites for online banking, market research or to catch up on trade news.

At the other extreme, a large corporation with hundreds of staff will have sophisticated telecommunications requirements and will be in a position to invite service providers to tender for their business.

Connection speed

As explained in the introduction to broadband at the beginning of the guide, connection speeds are expressed in bits per second (bps). Faster is better because as the data transfer rate increases more information can be transferred in the same amount of time. Websites load faster and files download quicker.

Broadband speeds typically start at 1Mbps and move up to 2Mbps and higher. At about twenty times the maximum connection speed of a dialup modem (56Kbps), 1Mbps is a good place for most people to start. You will soon begin to notice the difference.

If you're unsure what speed will match your needs, ask the service provider if you can upgrade later to a higher speed if necessary, and ask if there are cost penalties involved.

Don't expect to be blown away at first. Broadband has no immediate wow factor. What you get is more of what you are already used to on dialup but without the delays and frustrations involved. It takes time to appreciate the changes broadband brings and after a few weeks you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

At some time in the future we'll probably all have broadband delivered to our door by fibre optic network and then we'll have all the broadband capacity we could possibly need - supplied at the speed of light.

FASTER UPLOADING

As explained earlier, download speeds on most broadband services are usually faster than upload speeds. If you want to send as well as receive large files (photographs, video, etc.) or you need to use services that require high speed data transfers in both directions (such as video conferencing, for example), choose a service providing a fast upload speed too.

Availability and setup

Don't assume that because you have a phone or cable TV line that you can avail of broadband services. Even some wireless services might not be accessible if there is an obstacle between you and the transmitter.

There are some conditions involved in making ADSL by phone line available. First, the local telephone exchange has to have special equipment installed. Once installed, the exchange is 'enabled'. However, ADSL is distance dependent - signal quality degrades as the distance from the exchange increases - so you will also need to be located within a certain distance of the enabled exchange. And it doesn't end there. The condition of your individual phone line matters too so you could still fail at the final hurdle, even if someone nearby already has broadband.

To help, most service providers offer a line test facility on their website so you can determine if their service is available on your line - you type your phone number into a simple online form to find out.

Your geographic location will determine what broadband choices you have available. A phone call or email to a service provider will get you the information you need - click on the Directory section link above for details of providers in the Midlands.

INSTALLATION AND SETUP

Some services are easy enough to install yourself, usually with the assistance of a set of on-screen instructions (wizard). Providers usually charge a callout fee if you want them to do the installation.

CONTENTION RATIO

Somewhere along the line you share the broadband capacity with others. As more subscribers sign up, this could become a problem. To compare services, providers supply information on the numbers sharing as contention (sharing) ratios - these give an indication of the maximum number of people you might have to share broadband capacity with at any one time. Lower contention ratios (fewer subscribers sharing) are better.

e|net is responsible for managing the State's newly completed telecoms infrastructure, which means we can help regional businesses connect to this whole new world of choice.

With an Open Access Connection to Ireland's new fibre infrastructure you're free to choose your telecommunications packages from a range of operators via one of our Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).

e|net,
LEDP, Roxboro, Limerick
Web: www.e-net.ie
Tel: 061-274000

Other considerations

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

The hardware required is usually supplied as part of the service. An external modem is provided and, in the case of wired services, a splitter (filter) to provide the additional channel for broadband on the existing line. Depending on your location, either a wireless modem or a small antenna might be required to access wireless broadband.

You probably already have the software you need, such as an email program and web browser. Anything else you need for specific purposes you can download from the Internet. The service providers' websites provide links to most of the important software resources online.

In addition to anti-virus software, a program called a firewall is also recommended. This provides a barrier between your PC and the Internet to stop unwanted intrusion. The service provider will either provide a firewall or be able to recommend a specific one. Don't forget to ask!

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Follow-up support is provided by email and by phone. Depending on the particular broadband service, the call charge is provided at either premium or lo-call rates, or free of charge. This can be an important consideration if you expect to need assistance from time to time. For business users, support is provided under service-level agreements.

DOWNLOAD LIMITS

To discourage misuse, providers impose limits on the volume of data that can be downloaded during a particular period, usually monthly. Although generous for most people, it's best to check what this limit (cap) is if you intend downloading large files regularly. A charge is usually imposed when limits have been exceeded.

CONTRACT

Because of the setup costs involved for them, providers often require you to commit to their service for a minimum period, usually six or twelve months.