These days, broadband is no longer as big a luxury as it once was and over 46 million people in the UK access the internet daily. Currently, over 94% of UK homes have an internet connection, but despite this prevalence, there are still some common misconceptions regarding broadband connections, cost and usage.
This post looks at some of these and the truth behind the myths.
You Need a Phone Line
While some service providers require you to have an active phone line, not all of them do, and they may have broadband without a phone line. In recent years, it has become common knowledge that you don’t need a phone line to get broadband, so if you are on the fence over having broadband in your home or business, you should be aware of this.
All Fibre Broadband is the Same
Though “fibre broadband” is often used interchangeably, it refers to a wide range of services.
Fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband is what the majority of us use. Here, your broadband signal is transmitted through ultrafast fibre cables to the closest street cabinet, the green box at the end of your street. Telephone copper wires connecting the cabinet to your home are ageing and inefficient. A house on one end of the block may see drastically different speeds from one at the other because these are much slower, and the signal diminishes the further it needs to travel.
The deployment of “full-fibre” broadband, often known as fibre-to-the-home, is currently receiving significant attention. In this area, fibre optic cables can reach your home. As a result, both speed and reliability have increased dramatically.
High-Speed Broadband Costs More
Many people are struggling with poor performance broadband as they’re under the illusion that better broadband costs more. In fact, this isn’t always the case. You can shop around providers to discover the best deals, research the available options in your areas, and look at the typical speeds your neighbours are getting or what other providers offer compared to your current set-up.
From here, you can determine the speed you require based on your daily internet habits and connectivity requirements to secure a good deal and get better broadband for lower prices.
You Need to Be Tied into Long Contracts
Not 100% a myth; however, these days, you do not need to be tied into lengthy contracts to have home broadband installed. More and more providers are offering rolling month-by-month contracts for broadband or shorter terms to entice customers to their networks. While you might be able to access better offers and speeds by taking out a contract, this isn’t your only option.
If you require broadband or you are looking to change providers, these days finding better deals with increased flexibility regarding terms has never been easier. Make sure you research the network’s reliability, download and upload speeds and connectivity before jumping on the best deal. This will ensure you get a broadband connection that works for you without paying over the odds.