India broadband

Selecting a broadband package largely depends on the reasons one needs to connect to the Internet. It is totally dependant on the user and the usage limit. Based on the different needs, there are a number of broadband bundles for home, business, for few users, for multi users, those combined with TV, phone and mobile, standalone broadband etc. There are others catering to specific needs like fast, cheap, free, cable, wireless, no contract broadband etc.

Broadband users may use the internet for basic tasks like emailing, browsing, chatting, sharing pictures or advanced ones like audio, video streaming, uploading or downloading large files, gaming etc. All the above mentioned types of services are suitable for this wide array of usage. While selecting a package one has to bear in mind a few essential details like speed, pricing, download limit, contention ratio, reliability, customer service, etc.

Most providers have minimum 3 choices of packages with varying speeds (512 kbps to 24MB) and download limits (1GB to “Unlimited”). Unlimited broadband download is practically not possible and there is a fair usage policy that customers are required to abide by. Virgin Media offers packages along with all 3 services – TV, Mobile and Phone. TalkTalk’s broadband is entirely dependant on the phone options and therefore broadband is given for free. BE Pro is the fastest broadband connection offered and therefore suitable for business and gaming. Pipex is the oldest provider and PlusNet provides broadband connectivity for teleworker and small businesses too. All packages are accompanied by a modem or router, anti-virus, webspace, email addresses etc. There are free trials also given by some providers. 

ISPs are nothing but service providers who enable users to get connected to the World Wide Web. There a many internet providers in UK, and across the world. They provide dial up or broadband connections to the Internet. While dial up provides very less speed (56kbps), broadband allows minimum 512kbps speed and a maximum up to 24 MB. Broadband connection options are either via phone (ADSL) or cable. Dial up connections are being replaced by broadband nowadays, as more and more people appreciate its advantages.

The Internet Service Providers compete mainly in the speed provided and price charged. Other aspects include reliability, package benefits, customer support, free stuff offered etc. Some offer free broadband, as they believe that since the same line is used for both phone and broadband, phone alone needs to be charged and broadband offered for free. Business broadband costs more because of it wider range of features and support. There are several providers in the UK offering all these services. BT, AOL, Pipex, BE, PlusNet, Tiscali, Toucan, UK Online etc, are some of the popular providers in UK. Internet service is also combined with other services like phone, digital TV, mobile etc. These are called as broadband bundles. Virgin Media is the first to incorporate all these options and is known as the pioneer in “quad play”

An association called “The Internet Services Providers’ Association” (ISPA UK) is a trade association fro UK ISPs. It was established in 1995 and is responsible for regulation and development of the Internet industry.

Broadband bundles are nothing but broadband in combination with TV, mobile or phone. Different broadband service providers offer different combination packages. Up to 3 services can also be combined with broadband. When such packages are purchased it can save a great deal of money, but it is important to figure out the one that suits you the best. It should be ensured that you use all services of the broadband bundle paid for. Picking up one such package depends on various factors like number of users, the type of service preferred most etc. Generally, providers charge less for broadband bundles than for standalone broadband. Some offer free modem, free mobile talk time, free TV channels, unlimited speed, etc. A single charge is levied and one customer service centre caters to sort issues relating to all services in the package.  

AOL, Pipex, PlusNet, Sky, TalkTalk, Tiscali, Toucan and Virgin provide broadband with home phone and mobile. Those offering TV services along with broadband are Sky, Tiscali and Virgin. Virgin is the first broadband service provider to provide “quad play” services by combining TV, Internet, mobile phone and fixed-line telephone. The more the number of services in one package the lesser the package costs. It is always beneficial to go by the services required than by the cost.

Though bundling has its own advantages like single bill, single contact point fro customer service etc, it has its own set of cons like contract period, one faulty service affecting all other services, over dependence on one single provider even if services aren’t good. It definitely pays to read the finer print too while settling for a bundle.