How does broadband work?

When the internet revolution began, users accessed the net via dial-up and a ‘modem’ - a piece of hardware that converts signals from your computer so they can travel down a telephone line, and vice-versa. (A modem is a bit like an interpreter who translates back and forth between two languages.)

As anyone who used to go online this way will know, it could be painfully slow – and it tied up your phone line.

The difference between dial-up and broadband is like the difference between a country lane and a motorway. Replace a single band with separate bands for uploading, downloading and voice - and you speed up traffic many times over. Instead of one, narrow band you get a broader band – hence ‘broadband’.

You need certain hardware to use ADSL broadband - a modem or router, and microfilters to remove the hiss of broadband from your telephone line. A router looks a bit like a modem but is really a self-contained little computer. It connects your network to the network used by your ISP (internet service provider).

ADSL comes from your local BT phone exchange via the old copper wires. Your ISP will test and activate the line for you.

Your modem or router plugs into your phone socket, along with a microfilter (a small plastic box). Your computer needs to connect to the modem/router as well, either with wires or wirelessly.

ISPs usually supply a CD-Rom with software for setting up your connection.

Some Cable TV companies offer a cable internet connection via their existing wiring - partly made of the more advanced fibre-optic cables, rather than copper. They allow much faster signals and offer the possibility of far quicker broadband speeds.

However, cable is nowhere near as widely available as ADSL.

Satellite broadband is still in its infancy and is set up using a satellite dish (as you would for satellite TV). Both a one-way (download only) and a two-way satellite internet connection are available. For very isolated rural areas, satellite can be the only broadband option - but adverse weather conditions can interrupt the service.

Mobile is the newest form of broadband. A small USB device called a ‘dongle’ or a data card enable you to access the internet wherever there is a mobile phone signal.

Finally, you may have heard the term ‘Wi-Fi’. It provides exactly the same service as ADSL broadband, but without the wires. It creates a mini-network at your home so you can access the internet anywhere - even in your garden. Better still, several users can connect at once.