Internet technology is gathering speed

Want faster internet but don’t know where to start? Try broadband, says David Clerkin.

ARE you being bamboozled by broadband? Computer users whose technical skills begin and end at judicious use of their PC's on/off switch have shied away from the complexities of high-speed internet access so far.

But those who complain about their mobile phone costs and bank charges, and the pain involved in switching providers for a better deal, will benefit from using their first broadband connection as a chance to choose wisely and even make a killing on their home phone bills in the process.

The industry compares choosing broadband to dumping black-and-white TVs for colour in the 1970s and 1980s. Broadband means faster connections and the end of long waits to download files. It allows PC owners to view video footage and TV programmes, listen to radio stations or download music straight to their PCs, or play top-quality online games.

Broadband also comes as an "always-on" facility, so users can stay online as long as they please for a fixed monthly charge.

Telecom companies agree that almost every customer who switches from dial-up technology to broadband won't go back. So it's no surprise to see every major player in the market touting special offers. But it will be worth the time to look beyond the obvious to find out which broadband package fits best.

How do I compare offers on price?

Some providers offer free trials, while some charge once-off connection fees.

A free trial is only critical if the customer is unsure about broadband and likely to go back to dial-up at the end of the trial period. Free trials of up to 4 months are on offer, but these can come at the cost of higher monthly charges. It's best to compare prices by working out what the first year's bill will come to, including the effect of free trials and connection charges.

Who's best on price?

Using this rule, 12 months with Eircom costs €400 (2 months free plus 10 months at €40). Esat BT can come to €320 or €410 (4 months free plus 8 months at €40, but there's a €90 connection fee if users don't sign up for their phone package too). Chorus will cost €420, while UTV's €99 connection fee, 4-month trial and a lower €30 monthly charge will add up to a final bill of €340.

But the best deal price-wise is NTL, who offer three separate packages at €225, €315 and €450, depending on the speed of the connection. Its basic connection is around half as quick as the standard speed on offer from most players, but the two more expensive deals are faster than most rivals.

Does my location limit my choice of providers?

Unfortunately, yes. For most providers, broadband coverage is patchy outside major cities and towns. Customers should check whether their phone line is suitable for broadband or if they'll have to wait. The major phone suppliers (Eircom, Esat BT, UTV, Smart) are, or soon will be, widely available.

NTL's deal will only be on offer in Dublin, Galway and Waterford, while Chorus have begun rolling out in towns in Munster. Customers unwilling to wait for their phone or cable TV company need to go wireless, with Irish Broadband and Digiweb the best-known names.

I only keep a landline phone to access the internet. How should this influence my thinking?

The good news is broadband technology is available without the need for a fixed line. For anyone who gets a regular phone bill but makes few or no calls, this is the ideal opportunity to dump the land line and rely on NTL, Chorus, Irish Broadband or Digiweb's technology to access the web.

But the range of offers from fixed-line operators also means this is a great chance to review a relationship with Eircom and consider defecting. Most other fixed-line companies are using broadband to poach Eircom's voice business too. The sums involved are more complex but the savings can be considerable.

Perhaps most intriguing is the deal announced yesterday by Smart. The first 100,000 customers to sign up for Smart broadband will get their monthly line rental free for life. An Eircom customer considering broadband could cut their monthly bill from €64 (€24 line rental plus €40 web access) to €35 all in if they switch.