Broadband
One year after launching in 2000, only 9% of UK households had broadband. By 2009 it had risen to fifty percent and in 2013 some 21 million households (83%) had Internet access; with fibre optic or cable connections used by 42% of households, up from 30% in 2012. Broadband has and continues to revolutionise how we live.
The Problem
- People experience slow broadband speeds when using their laptop, PC or tablets.
- Many receive bills with extra charges because they used more than their allowance.
- Some are unaware that they have been switched to a different tariff or the pricing has increased.
- With everything ‘being’ online are you connected and getting the best broadband deal?
The Solution: BeeMyMinder!
- Store broadband speeds for easy reference and if an issue quickly contact your provider.
- Document storage including download limits for peace of mind.
- Set a policy reminder (ahead of time) for when your tariff is due to expire.
- Be able to compare your current provider’s services with those on the market, without being rushed.
Jargon Buster
- ADSL (Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line) — majority of home broadband connections via existing phone lines to deliver an internet connection
- Broadband — a transmission with high bandwidth, so the data is delivered quickly. Usually associated with internet access (eg ADSL or cable) and usually means faster access
- Cable Broadband — fibre-optic internet connection which is both faster and more reliable than 3G, 4G or ADSL
- Cooling-off period — with many agreements, you are entitled to a cooling-off period whereby you are given a number of days (usually 14) during which you are entitled to change your mind without any repercussions
- Dial-up — internet access through a dial up modem where it is not possible to use your telephone and internet at the same time
- Download Limits — amount of data you can download each month based on your contract without being charged extra
- Downstream/Downloading — speed in which data is sent from the server to your computer, for example 4Mb is being able to download near to four megabits per second
- ISP (Internet Service Provider) — company who provides your broadband service
- MAC number (Migration Authorisation Code) — unique code used for switching broadband providers. Provided by your ISP on request, valid for 30 days. Plans are for a new system that does away with MAC codes altogether.
- Mb (megabit) — unit of storage. In broadband terms, the higher the Mbps (megabits per second), the faster the broadband
- Mobile Broadband — broadband for your laptop or tablet while ‘on the go’ or ‘mobile’, typically this uses 3G and 4G technology
- Streaming — method of transferring data so that it can processed as a steady or constant stream, without actually downloading the information. For example, listening to or watching media ‘live’
- Unlimited Broadband — no download limits on your broadband account and you can download as much as you like
- Upload Speed — speed at which information is transferred from your computer to the internet
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) — is the routing of voice conversations through an internet connection or other IP-based network. For example, Skype.
- Wireless Broadband — broadband via a wireless local area network that has been made available by a modem/route