So after all the palaver, not to mention a spot of waiting, BROADBAND really is here in Bampton now: the exchange can provide speeds of up to 8Mb/s. Those who have upgraded to broadband are very happy bunnies! People have said how easy it is to set up; there have been one or two minor teething problems reported with setting up new email accounts.
This page is intended to offer some advice to those who need to know what to look out for in the various offers being made. This is personal advice - there are people out there who know far more about this than your humble web-master, so if you've something to contribute, please email the link given at the bottom of this page. Business users check whether you can benefit from subsidies - below.
Note that broadband is not only much faster, but it is available 24 hours a day - there is no extra cost other than the basic monthly charge. Also you can use your phone at any time (and pay for the calls as normal), even though the same wires are used for broadband. You still continue to rent your normal phone line from BT.
I found the BT web-site helpful in finding out quite a lot of basic information. Here you can also put in your phone number and check the broadband speeds which will be available to you, as well as the suitability of your computer.
Another good one is www.adslguide.org.uk - particularly the Beginners Guide and the Q&A.
Speed: Most providers have moved from the basic broadband speed of 512k (which is x10 faster than dial-up) to 8Mb (160x faster). It is probably sensible to go for 2Mb or more at a competitive price. Bear in mind that this ADSL system is asymmetrical - i.e. although the download speed is say 1M, the upload speed (if you are into sending lots of pictures or large files) is slower. For all broadband download speeds, the upload speed is 256k (which is still at least 5x faster than dial-up).
Monthly usage allowance: This caps the amount of data you can download in a month - of course, you can exceed this but it will cost you more. One of the lowest caps is BT. If you do not need to download a lot (eg playing games on line, music or video files), 1 or 2GB a month is probably ample to start with.
Contention ratio: A number of local subscribers share the broadband facilities. You cannot do a lot about this, so why worry about it?
A BT phone line. a compatible computer (Note: some packages do not support MACs). On the BT site you can check that your computer is compatible.
Your broadband provider should supply you with: a broadband modem (or a broadband router which can connect to other devices as well), and microfilters. The latter plug into your existing BT sockets and electronically separate out the broadband data from your phone signals. Note that you need a microfilter on every phone socket, including your SKY box line if you have one. The modem connects to your computer via a network socket (which all modern computers have installed) - some modems will connect into a USB socket.
You don't need an engineer to install anything new - your provider will send you instructions and an installation CD.
If you shop around for a new Internet Service provider to get the best deal, you will almost certainly have to change your email address. (Note: if you are on the Bampton email directory, let us know of any changes!)
A short time ago, broadband providers seemed not to supply email accounts but expected customers to set up web-based email with Hotmail or the like. Now providers seem to be more inclined to provide email accounts in their packages - but it is worth checking. Note that if they provide you with a web-based email service, which you can access from any computer via a web page - you can also operate the same email service via Outlook Express (if you know how to set it up!).
Herewith a quick troll around for simple broadband accounts - but do your own research! Read the small print, and check whether prices include VAT, whether the modem is included, and if there is any first time connection fee, for example.
BT Speed: 1 Mb Monthly usage: 1 GB 5 email addresses. An 'incentive' of a free SIM card for your mobile phone and £2 off for the first 3 months Note that for 2Mb speed and 15GB per month, the cost would be £24.99 |
£17.99 per month |
WANADOO (was Freeserve) Speed: 1 Mb Monthly usage: 2 GB Email addresses. An 'incentive' of six moths free wireless and talk (whatever that is). Note that for 2Mb speed and 6GB per month, the cost would be £22.99 |
£17.99 per month |
NTL Speed: 1 Mb Monthly usage: 3 GB Email addresses. An 'incentive' of £9.99 for the first 12 months. Note that for a 2Mb speed and 1GB per day, the cost would be £24.99 per month |
£17.99 per month |
ECLIPSE This company is local and used extensively by Devon County Council, and Mid-Devon Council. They have quite a number of offers (including one called 'flexi') so have a look at their web-site www.eclipse.net.uk Speed: 2Mb Monthly Usage: 1GB Email Address: 10, web-based. You have
to buy modem and filters 'from £25.99'. All at £14.99 a month,
they say. |
£14.99 or - £19.99 |
Note that modem etc. is 'free' with most packages, but you may have to pay
if you order by phone rather than on-line.
You should expect to stay with your provider for at least 12 months, but could
shop around again after that if you wanted to.
Our thanks to Nick Quinn, Mid Devon Council's Electronic Government & Management Services Officer for additional contributions to this information.
YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A GRANT USING EUROPEAN OBJECTIVE 2 FUNDING. Contact Broadband4Devon to find out. See their web-site or ring Mike Barker on 01237 472925.
Before you order your broadband connection, find out if you can get the grant:
Subsidy of £30 for your first month broadband rental
Subsidy of up to £180 for broadband activation and equipment
Free information and communications technology advice
Access to further EU subsidies
Note that they are at present unable to help farmers unless the farm has diversified into other activities such as B&B, making cheese, or simply washing and packaging produce.