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Broadband - what to ask before you buy

If you're thinking of signing up for a broadband service, but you're not sure what to ask before you do so, here are some questions to help you decide which broadband service is best for you.

Click on a question below for more information.

Types: What type of broadband services are available?
Cost: How much can you afford for a broadband plan?
Service provider: Is the broadband provider reliable?
Coverage: What kind of broadband service is available in your area?
Bundle: Do you want broadband only or a package with mobile/landline/VOIP included?
Naked ADSL: What about 'naked ADSL' broadband?
Term: How long is the term of the broadband service contract?
Payment: Pre-paid or post paid broadband?
Data: How much data is included in the broadband plan?
Speed: How fast is the broadband data download?
Charging: Does the provider have peak and off-peak charges, or is it all ‘anytime‘?
Excess usage: What happens if you go over your broadband data limit?
Other costs: What other costs are involved in setting up your broadband service?
Connection: How long before your broadband service is connected?

1. What types of broadband services are available?

ADSL is a wired connection to the internet via a telephone line, without having to 'dial up' every time you want to connect.
If the connection is via fibre optic cable, it's faster and has more capacity that an ordinary telephone line, but is not available everywhere.
Wireless broadband uses radio frequency transmission to connect to the Internet via a modem or router to your telephone line. Usually your computer is connected to the modem or router via an ethernet cable. Once set up, the wireless signal can be picked up over a wide area, so it should be secured using an encryption key (a bit like a password). It's highly recommended that you secure your connection if you use wireless broadband..
Satellite connection is an alternative in remote areas and at sea, where wireless broadband is not an option.
Free WiFi is wireless broadband that can be used for free in some internet cafes, motels, even fast food outlets. It is generally not thought to be secure, so don't use this for banking or other confidential transactions. You can usually connect to these free WiFi services by simply clicking on the connection when it shows in your 'available networks' list.

Note that any shared Internet connection cannot be considered secure. 'Free Wifi' is a shared connection, and is therefore not considered 'secure'.

2. How much can you afford for a broadband plan?

Find out what happens if you go over your limit, as extra data can cost a fortune. With some providers, your excess usage is ’shaped’, meaning you don’t pay any more but the service is slowed right down for the rest of that charging period. This avoids nasty financial surprises.

If you have no idea of your expected usage, you could start with a smaller data allowance. If it proves to be too small, you can increase your download limit. Usually there is no 'fee' for transferring to a bigger plan, but there may be a fee to go to a smaller plan

3. Is the broadband provider reliable?

Ask around to see if the provider's service is accessible in your area. Ask them if they have any 'black spots' where service is patchy.

4. What kind of broadband service is available in your area?

ADSL (telephone line broadband) is available in most areas. Cable broadband is not generally available in regional/remote areas. Where cable and ADSL are not available, satellite broadband may be the only (and more expensive?) solution. Do you research and ask around.

Check the coverage maps available from each broadband provider, to see if the service is suitable in your area.

5. Do you want broadband only, or a package with mobile/landline/VOIP included?

If you already have a mobile or landline, you may be able to ‘bundle’ that service with your broadband service to get a better deal, or you may want to subscribe to a VOIP service through your broadband provider..

Mobile phone:

Mobile phone providers also provide mobile internet services which are billed as part of your phone plan. This may be all you need, however if you require a full broadband internet service to your home computer, you'll need to sign up to a broadband plan with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for ADSL, cable, or satellite.

Landline:

Usually bundling means a reduction in cost, but decide if it is worth it. For example, you may be able to get a cheaper landline connection by bundling, but it may be even cheaper in the long run to get rid of the landline and have a mobile phone only. With a broadband Internet connection you can use Skype (for example) for cheap calls to telephones, and free calls to other computers using Skype. Note that using an Internet connection for phone calls (via VOIP or Skype) means you can't make or receive calls when the service is down. This may be important in case of emergency and it's always recommended that you have an alternative for emergency calls (e.g. your mobile phone)..

VOIP:

VOIP is ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ which allows you to have a phone service that makes calls using your internet connection.

6. What about 'naked ADSL' broadband?

Naked ADSL is broadband that uses your copper telephone line to connect to the Internet. You need a phone line, but without a landline telephone. The cost of the line is included in your broadband cost. This works best if you also have an alternative phone as your day to day phone.

7. How long is the term of the broadband service contract?

It can be anything, usually from zero months to 2 years. If you want to get out of it early, how much will it cost you?

8. Pre-paid or post paid broadband?

Check that you can have the payment terms you prefer. Pre-paid can help you budget, but it can also run out at inconvenient times. Find out the various ways in which you can re-charge. Post paid is convenient but is open to excess usage which may cost you lots, or at least slow you down.

9. How much data is included in the broadband plan?

Work out how much data you need. If you only use broadband to read your email and occasionally shop or bank online, you can get away with a smaller data amount than if you plan to play games or download large amounts of data (e.g. watching movies or catch-up TV).

10. How fast is the broadband data download?

Check the download speed of your proposed broadband plan. There can be significant variation between providers and between plans. Speed is important, especially for large data downloads.

11. Does the broadband provider have peak and off-peak charges, or is it all ‘anytime‘?

If the broadband provider has peak and off peak charging periods, make sure you know when they are so that you can use the service most efficiently.

12. What happens if you go over your broadband data limit?

If you exceed your limit, are you charged at exorbitant rates, or is your speed just ‘shaped’ - that is, slowed down to a walking pace?

13. What other costs are involved in setting up your broadband service?

Ask if you have to pay for a new modem? Are there any installation and/or setup fees? Do you have to pay for delivery of any equipment?

14. How long before your broadband service is connected?

Is there any time when you will be without a broadband service? This could be important if you are changing over from one service to another.