The Impatient Downloader's Guide to Fast BroadbandWith the wide choice of fast broadband deals now available, there is no longer any need to struggle along at a snail's pace, regardless of what you are trying to download. You'll be absolutely amazed at the opportunities opening up for you around the internet. Why is it worth taking a fast broadband package? Fast broadband speed allows data to be transferred at a breathtaking speed, meaning no more frustrating waiting around for downloads or annoyingly missing out on game patches. You should seriously think about faster speeds if you are a frequent downloader of movies or music, or even large files. Online gamers stand to gain the most as the latency and ping times experienced are vital milliseconds lower, giving one that extra advantage over your opponent. How fast is fast? A 512kb connection was considered fast broadband a few years ago, but the newer fastest broadband packages are regarded as those above the average 'up to' 8Mb ADSL connection and use either fibre optic cable or ADSL2+ technology. The highest download speed available on your broadband connection is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps), with latest technologies capable of providing broadband connections of 'up to' 24Mb per second. It has been estimated that before the end of this year speeds of 50Mb will be reached, or up to as much as 200Mb employing the same technology. How does one choose fast broadband? It's important to remember that the ideal fast broadband provider is one which allows you unlimited download with no restrictive fair use policy to trip you up. Here, you will find Be Broadband particularly lenient regarding peak time usage. Virgin Media has a traffic management policy, which means that you need to watch your peak time usage carefully. If you exceed your allowance, Virgin Media will temporarily slow down your fast broadband connection and that would just be infuriating. Another option worth thinking about is ADSL2+ providers, with their higher upload speeds of around 256Kb. Be Broadband and O2 Broadband are two providers which offer even faster upload speeds up to about 1.3Mb. While upload speeds are not of much use to the average web user, gamers, home office workers and file sharers will appreciate the added oomph of a faster upload speed. A site that allows you to compare broadband deals by speed, will help make your choice for broadband speeds much easier. |
