Broadband Phone Service - How It All Works

Broadband Phone Service

What Is Broadband?

In its raw form, broadband is a type of telecommunication capable of handling multiple frequencies, achieved by carrying multiple signals by sharing the total capacity of the link into many smaller parts, each operating on its own range of frequencies.

To the consumer, broadband means fast and efficient internet access, and a phone line that is not congested when there is a live connection to the internet!

The general access model nowadays is via a Broadband Service Provider, of which many exist in most developed countries. There are a number of different broadband access methods - for example, by ADSL, cable, 3G or satellite. Consumers will usually pay for a bundled broadband and broadband phone service package on a monthly 'fixed rate' basis, or by a flat monthly fee plus an extra fee linked to usage.

The Success of Broadband

The success of and key advantage of broadband comes down to the relative ease with which consumers can gain access to the internet, and the phenomenal growth in content that you can now view and download. There are three groups of people in society today :

1. Those who do not have access to, or use the Internet

2. Those who have access to the internet via a dial-up service or other low data-rate technology

3. Those using broadband as a means of access to the internet.

Group 3 is growing at an incredible rate, and now we've explained broadband in simple terms, we'll have a look at how you can go about getting access yourself.

Broadband Service Providers

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As we said, many Service Providers are offering broadband services, and competition in most markets is both encouraged and expanding. To many of the traditional Telecomms providers, broadband was the reason they were losing the biggest chunk of their revenues and margins, as many new operators entered the market, with regulatory relaxation allowing them direct access to the customer. These same operators then ate into the incumbent's major revenue business by providing a broadband phone service, with pricing that undercut the incumbent's offering.

These incumbent operators have hit back though, and many offer a bundled broadband and broadband phone service to their customers. Some even offer Free Broadband TV (to find out more about this, click here) as part of their bundle.

Did You Know? If you are using dial-up internet access, or have a slow broadband speed, there is a revolutionary method of gaining cheap high-speed access without going through the lengthy process of setting up with your broadband provider. Click here to find out more!

However, as we said, incumbent operators now operate in a competitive market - you can search the web in many countries and find a whole host of competitive operators, with advertising slogans offering a package of broadband marketed as a one stop shop service for all their communication needs. In the UK for example, there are more than a dozen mainstream operators offering a package including a full broadband phone service.

So, before deciding on a broadband provider, it's essential to understand exactly what you're buying.

Different Broadband Packaging Characteristics

1. Speed of bandwidth - ranging from 512kbits/second up to 15Mbits/second and more. Click here to find out how you can get a free broadband speed check.

For the average consumer, 1-2Mbit/second speed should be more than sufficient to gain high-speed access to the internet, plus to download any applications and to use a VoIP service at the same time. Speeds of 6Mbit/second and higher really come into play when real-time applications such as video-streaming are required, or where consumers are wanting to use multiple high-bandwidth applications at the same time.

2. Bundled phone calls - this is becoming more of a trend as operators recognise that once they have access to the consumer via broadband, there is a perfect medium to get the consumer to switch over to their broadband phone service.

Be careful when considering this - there are a couple of issues of which you need to be aware :

- Some operators route their calls in a 'Least Cost Routing' manner, and as such quality of the call may be inferior to what you would be accustomed to. Check with the operator before signing up to see if they have guarantees of service quality or penalty clauses in favour of the consumer.

- Once you are set up on broadband, the logical next step is to set up a VoIP service in order to gain from cheap international phone call benefits. Broadband phone service generally is not a 'true VoIP phone service', rather a standard phone service bolted on to your plan! You will often find that the cost of VoIP calls, and other VoIP calling plans available on the market, work out cheaper than your current bundled broadband phone service package.

3. Extras available - You will most likely need a broadband modem as an external piece of kit for your PC, as well as ADSL filters that sit on the end of your phone line. Together, both of these pieces of kit can be bought relatively cheaply (£30-60), but many bundled broadband packages will include them in the cost.

WiFi, as the technology that can create a Wireless LAN in your office or home, is one major component that broadband service providers are marketing. Look for packages that provide all inclusive Wireless Networking. For much more information on WiFi and Wireless Networking, Click here.

Be sure to look out for these, as well as software for loading onto your PC to enable the broadband itself.

So now you have a good knowledge of broadband, and what to look for in the product offerings of broadband service providers, the other key component in your decision-making is.......PRICE! And the price of broadband service can vary dramatically depending on the package you buy. Be warned also at this point that many broadband operators will insist on signing you up contractually for a 12 month minimum period, with their costs of providing broadband explained to you as so high as to justify this minimum period. Just make sure you read the small print before signing up.

Click here for an interesting article that looks at how you effectively get free broadband access when you buy other services.

Ok, we now have explained the nuances of broadband as well as broadband phone service, where do we go next?

Your next step is to understand more about Voice Over IP and see the benefits it can bring to you, now that you have your home or office broadband service set up.

Return from Broadband & Broadband Phone Service to VoIP at Home!