Broadband guide Getting a good broadband deal is made easy with firsthelpline.com.  We can help you find the right one for you, and help you make an application online in minutes.  If you’re not sure of something or you’re confused by some of the jargon, there’s plenty of help and information on the website to make sure you’re fully informed before you apply.

Broadband jargon buster (H-L)

Hotspot

An area that has several wireless internet access points is known as a hotspot, .  These are often available at coffee shops, libraries and airport terminals.  Hotspots can range from a single room to many square miles covering large areas of cities.

HTTP

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, and is the set of rules for transferring text, graphical images, sound and video around the internet.  As soon as a user opens their web browser, they are making use of HTTP.

Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging is a recent phenomena that allows people to ‘chat’ in real time by texting others online.  Popular instant messenger applications include Yahoo! and MSN.

Internet

The Internet is a system of computer networks that allow computers to talk to each other.  A user at one computer can get information from another computer provided they are both connected to one of these networks and have permission to send and receive information to each other.

IP Address

IP is short for Internet Protocol, and an IP Address is a set of four numbers that uniquely identifies each computer connected to the internet for identification purposes.  Normally, your internet provider assigns your computer a temporary IP address just for when you are connected to the internet.  If you reconnect later, you will receive a different IP address.  Computers with permanent or static IP addresses can use meaningful names rather than numbers to identify themselves.

ISP

Your ISP, or Internet Service Provider, is the company that supplies your connection to the internet.

Kilobit

The unit of storage for information or data is the bit.  A Kilobit (abbreviated to Kb) is 1,024 bits and is a standard unit of storage.

Landline

Your landline is the fixed telephone line into your home.  It is through this that non-cable broadband is delivered.

Local Loop Unbundling

Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is the practice where an internet or home phone provider rents space in a local telephone exchange and installs their own equipment to sell their own services on the phone line.

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