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Thinking about
broadband? |
Getting broadband to our exchange was a
group activity in which we had to prove to BT the level
of local interest in broadband.
Ordering broadband on the other hand is a very personal
matter; you have to decide what's best for yourself after
looking carefully at the different Internet Providers and
the products which they have on offer. In the end, it has
to be the user's own purchase decision.
Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may contact
end-users about ordering broadband. It's more likely (and
even preferable) that you will have to take the
initiative to order broadband, after first deciding on
your own requirements.
While BT is busy updating our exchange for broadband, we
expect that internet users will generally take a careful
look around before deciding on the ISP and package which
they prefer. With still more than three months to the
26th November ready-for-service date, there is no need to
hurry this decision. It is also worth mentioning once
again that even if you pre-registered, you are under no
obligation to take up broadband.
You may find it useful to discuss any questions that you
have about broadband with a knowledgeable friend or
neighbour. Remember also that we are not pioneers;
broadband has, for example, been installed widely in Bury
St Edmunds and Stowmarket and we can try to learn from
the experiences of users in these areas. The Bury
Free Press website broadband section has, for
example, recently published one letter on local
experience with broadband (see Hints and Tips Letter from
Ian Harper).
Forethought can help to avoid some of the teething
troubles that can come with switching to any new
technology.
Below are some suggested steps to take in thinking about
broadband.
- Find
out what the BT Wholesale
Broadband Checker says
about your line.
- Read
up the basics about how ADSL
works.
- Make
a round of your present telephone sockets.
Prepare a list of where the telephone handsets
are connected as well as any other devices such
as a fax, modem for Sky satellite TV, existing
modem for PC (keep this as standby!). This will
be useful because the signals used by these
devices must be separated from the broadband
signals by what are called microfilters. These
are easily fitted but you will need to think
about the number required and positioning of the
microfilters.
- Decide
what type of PC broadband
connection suits you best (for a
single PC this is likely to be using an ADSL
modem with a USB connection or perhaps using a
PCI card ADSL modem; for multiple PCs, consider
the benefits of an ADSL router - with either
cable or wireless connection).
Try to list and prioritise factors
which you will help you to decide which
broadband package and provider would be
most suitable for your needs. Remember to check
the contract conditions for your existing dial-up
internet connections and do not forget that this
will need to be terminated at the appropriate
time.
Please Note:
We cannot offer individual technical support. Also we can
take no responsibility for consequences of any
inaccuracies in information on this website. If you find
mistakes, please let us know by sending an e-mail to broadband@elmswell.net
The information is based on PC systems with MS Windows.
Broadband is equally suitable for Apple computers or
other operating systems but we don't know enough about
these to offer advice.
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"Dieu
nous donne les noix,
mais Il ne les casse pas pour nous.
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