What is Broadband?

Broadband is a permanently connected, second generation Internet that allows networks to carry greater volumes of data at speeds up to 40 times faster than the conventional dial-up narrowband access and up to 30 times faster than a standard ISDN connection. As the technology is an 'always-on' technology, it means that productivity is noticeably improved, cutting dial-up download and file transfer times significantly. Costs can now also be kept down as the service is usually charged on a flat-rate fee. This means no more dial-up costs and no more dial-up time.

Features of Broadband in business
'With the improved speed of broadband, researching data is now like flicking through books at a library rather than sitting twiddling our thumbs waiting for pages to download' - Saul Dobney, Managing Director of Dobney.com, a market research and business intelligence agency.

Paul Sloyan, MD of Eurotime Solutions outlines the benefits of broadband to business. The immediate impact of broadband was a ten-fold increase in productivity - accessing the web was ten times quicker and the always-on connection meant there was no need to repeatedly dial up. This means that Eurotime are able to offer clients a much quicker service with CV search results and candidate matches produced in half the time. The real bonus is the flat rate pricing for an always-on service - no more worrying about bills spiralling out of control. These are just some of the business benefits that broadband brings - others include:

• Do more in less time - the high speed and ease-of-use means that tasks will be completed in much quicker times that before, leading to an increase in productivity.
  
• The business service is available at a choice of high speed internet access up to 500kbps, 1Mb or 2Mb i.e. up to 40 times faster than current modems
  
• Download and upload large data files at quicker speeds
  
• Speed up search engine and database enquiries
  
• Increase speed of file transfers between locations
  
• Send and receive e-mails with large file attachments
  
• The connection is always on
  
• Flat rate pricing with unlimited hours of access
  
• Make and receive telephone calls or fax transmissions without disrupting your Internet connection.
  
• Connect more than one PC

How does it work?
An ADSL broadband service operates over a normal telephone line. This means that an existing BT telephone line can be used to send and receive high-speed digital data. The broadband signal is carried by two specialised modems - one at the user end and one in the local exchange. These modems are designed to exploit the physical transmission capabilities of the copper line to achieve higher data rates over the line than ever before.

A 'splitter' (which is basically a filter), one at the user end and one at the exchange end, separates the telephony signal from the data signal. This means that telephone calls can be made at the same time that data is being sent or received (i.e. a customer can surf the Internet and still make telephone calls), removing the need for customers to purchase a second line solely for Internet use, thereby saving money.

What does the service offer?
The service includes a cutting edge web browser, a modem, and Internet connectivity software that replaces the dial-up modem in your PC.

How do I get Broadband?
Broadband products and services are available now in those regions whose exchanges have been ADSL-enabled.

To check if Broadband is enabled in your area or for further information on BT Openworld's Broadband offerings, view our BT broadband section.