Broadband questions

[puzzled272]

I have received, yet again, a letter from BT encouraging me to switch from my current dial-up connection to broadband.

I note that BT describes broadband as 'always on' -- this I'm afraid is a BIG disincentive to my taking up broadband - I do not like having a pc humming away in the background when I'm working on something other than my pc. I also don't see why I need to have broadband on in the background when I'm not using the internet.

1. Is it true that broadband is 'always on'?
2. Why is this necessary?
3. Is the same true for all broadband providers?

My apologies for repeating questions that have probably been answered long ago; and my thanks for any help.

[ChuckFickens]

1 yes broadband is always on, that doesn't mean your PC has to be, or even the router connected to the line, it's just on when you need it.

Think like a tap, your water is always on, doesn't mean you have to leave your taps on all day

2 it's how it works

3 yes

[ChuckFickens]

or even like your electricity supply, thats always on, but you don't leave every electrical appliance in the house on all day :)

[pug100]

Puzzled,
What Chuck says is true and I too worried about broadband always being on but there are a few advantages over dial up.

1. You can surf and still receive phone calls.

2. Depending on your router you can connect more than one pc or games console to the internet at once.

3. Surfing speed is many, many times faster than dial up. So this means the pages you are browsing take a few seconds to load, not minutes. Essential if you like going on ebay.

[mattie]

Also, there might come a time when you don't have a choice, as the telephone companies don't want to maintain the equipment for the dwindling numbers of people still using dial-up internet access.

[pug100]

Just to add you don't necessarily need to go with BT, there are loads of providers out there. A good website for advice is here.


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap- broadband

Best deals are usually with packages e.g.phone internet and TV rather than just broadband on it's own.