How does the broadband comparison service work? Looking for help in choosing broadband?  firsthelpline.com can do all the hard work for you.  We show you different packages from the UK’s major broadband providers based on what you need.  And if you’re you’re confused by the terminology, there’s plenty of help and information on the website to make sure you’re fully informed before you apply.

What broadband equipment do I need?

Getting started with broadband is straightforward.  If you don’t have it already, your new broadband provider will send you all the broadband equipment you’ll need to get up and running.

Some of the things you’ll need are:

•    Computer with a minimum specification
•    Active phone line
•    Startup CD
•    Modem
•    Microfilters

Computer with a minimum specification

As a minimum, your PC, Mac or laptop should have the following specification:

•    CD-Rom drive
•    Minimum Pentium II 200 MHz processor or equivalent
•    64MB RAM
•    200MB of free hard disk space
•    Win 98 operating system or above, or Mac OS 8 or above

Mac users should look at the details of the broadband package on offer and make sure it is compatible with their machine.

Active phone line

A live telephone line is needed to get your broadband working.  This can either be a cable line, or a BT line (although it doesn’t need to be BT that charges you for your line rental or calls).  If you don’t have a live line into your property, you’ll need to contact BT or one of the cable companies to get one activated.

Your new broadband supplier should provide you with the following things you need to get you started:

Startup CD

Your provider will send you a CD to get you started.  If you have a new modem, you may need to install this onto your computer with the modem software.

Modem

Your modem allows you to connect your computer to the internet via your phone line.  There are lots of different modems available.

At the basic end are simple USB modems that connect to a single computer and require very little setting up.

Routers let you connect several devices up to your phone line.

A wireless router, as the name suggests, will let you connect your PC and other devices up to the internet without the need for a physical connection between the devices and the router.  Many providers offer a wireless router as an option, but at an extra cost.

With a wireless router, you’ll also need to make sure your computer is wireless-enabled.  While some computers have wireless capability built-in, some don’t and you’ll need to get a separate wireless card.

Microfilters

In order to let you talk on the phone at the same time as using the internet, you’ll need to plug your modem and phone into a microfilter.  This is a little box that connects to your phone line at the wall, and is then connected to your phone handset and your computer.  Ideally, each phone you’ve got should be connected to a microfilter before connecting to your phone socket.

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