| Selecting a Home Broadband provider can be a | | | | about. |
| daunting task what with the technical jargon and | | | | 3 - Contract Length |
| sales pitches from the broadband providers. This | | | | Contracts vary from provider to provider with |
| guide aims to simplify this process by outlining the | | | | the most common contract duration being 12 |
| 5 key factors to consider when selecting a | | | | months. An increasing number of providers are |
| broadband provider. | | | | opting for 18 month contracts with the payoff to |
| 1 - Speed | | | | the consumer being a slightly lower monthly cost. |
| The first thing to be considered is the download | | | | It is down to the individuals circumstances as to |
| speed of the broadband package. Todays home | | | | which contract length is better - for example |
| broadband reaches speeds in excess of 50Mbps in | | | | someone renting an apartment for 12 months |
| certain areas - so be sure to verify with the | | | | would not consider an 18month contract. More |
| provider the EXACT speed available in your area. | | | | recently some providers have started offering |
| Most providers use the phrase "up to" when | | | | "month by month" contracts whereby the |
| describing their broadband packages e.g. | | | | customers obligation is for one month only and |
| "Download Speeds up to 20Mbps" - do not be | | | | billed on a rolling basis. |
| fooled as this typically means that the maximum | | | | 4 - Equipment |
| speed available under ideal conditions is 20Mbps - | | | | Most, if not all, broadband providers include a |
| this does NOT mean you will get a constant | | | | wireless broadband router as part of their |
| 20Mbps download speed. Double check actual | | | | broadband packages. Be aware that some may |
| speeds in your area before committing to a | | | | charge a fee for this hardware so be sure to |
| provider. | | | | read the package details carefully before signing |
| 2 - Download Limit | | | | up. |
| Download limits vary from package to package | | | | 5 - Package Deals |
| so in order to determine a limit that meets you | | | | More and more companies are offering broadband |
| requirements you will have to weigh up just how | | | | as part of a larger "combo" deal. For example |
| much web browsing you plan to do. If you use | | | | many cable and satellite TV providers also offer |
| the web primarily for checking email and shopping | | | | telephone and broadband as part of their bundles. |
| online then a download limit of 10GB/month would | | | | Be sure to research your options fully if you are |
| be sufficient. If, however, you use the web for | | | | also considering a TV or telephone package - it |
| email, shopping, downloading music and watching | | | | can save a lot of money. Price comparison |
| videos online it would be best to consider a | | | | websites are often the best place to look for |
| package offering Unlimited downloads. It is worth | | | | these deals. |
| pointing out that "Unlimited" packages typically | | | | is Northern Irelands first dedicated broadband |
| have a "fair use" policy i.e. if the provider feels | | | | comparison website. |
| you are abusing the Unlimited download they | | | | Please visit Broadband Belfast to find out more |
| reserve the right to cut off your connection - this | | | | about both mobile and standard broadband |
| really only happens in extreme cases and is | | | | options. |
| nothing for the average web user to worry | | | | |