Equipment

In order to use broadband, there are two essential pieces of kit that you will require - a broadband modem and some broadband filters. There are different types of broadband modems available, which is explained in detail below;

USB Modem
Router Modem
Wireless Router Modem
Broadband Filters

We recommend using a router, as they provide a constant connection to the internet, regardless if your PC is on or off, and they also allow you to connect more than one PC at a time to the internet.

USB Modem

A USB modem is the most simple method for using a broadband service, since all you need to do is simply plug in a USB cable into your computer, and the filter connected phone point into the modem. Once installed, you will need to still manually connect to your broadband service when you require it, in a similar way to dialup - but each modem has its own different way of doing this. To have your connection always on, without the need to 'dial in' - we recommend that you use a broadband router instead.

Router Modem

A router is a piece of hardware that allows several computers to connect to a single broadband connection by acting as the central network connection point. In effect, a router acts as a gateway between your computers and the internet. There are two main advantages of using router instead of a standard USB modem:

• Multiple PCs can use the same broadband connection, at the same time
• Additional security for your home PC

A router can provide additional security, as most routers have a built-in firewall that can protect your PCs from unauthorised access. Firewalls can be configured to block anything that attempts to access your PCs. They can also be customised to allow access to only certain types of internet traffic.

To connect to a router, you will be required to use network cable (also known as Ethernet or rj45 cable), to connect each PC to the router, in order to use the internet. A wireless router (below), does not require this additional cable.

Wireless Router Modem

Similar to a router (above), a wireless router modem has the advantage of connecting multiple PCs to the same broadband connection, and providing additional security for your home PC. A wireless router also has the added benefit that you do not need to directly connect each PC to the router, as instead, everything is done wirelessly. However, to connect via wireless, all PCs must have a wireless access card fitted.

Another advantage of an ADSL Wireless router is the range of the connectivity. This means there’s no need for the PCs to be close together. A router can create a broadband connection with a range of up to 500 metres indoors - enough to cover almost any house. And if you have a laptop, this means that you may be able to be on the internet, whilst in the garden.

Broadband Filters

A broadband filter is necessary because once your line is activated with broadband it carries two signals - an analogue (phone) signal and a digital (broadband) signal which are both carried at different frequencies. In order to receive both of these signals clearly you must connect all of your devices which normally plug into a phone socket into a broadband filter. It is this feature of broadband which allows you to use the Internet connection whilst on the phone or receiving faxes.

If you do not connect your broadband filters, or you do not have all devices which use the a telephone socket within your property connected using a broadband filter you may face the following problems:

• You cannot get a broadband connection: common symptoms include a flashing ADSL light on your modem and Error 680 (no dial tone) on your computer
• Intermittent dropping internet connection
• A fuzzy or bad telephone connection when the modem is plugged in

If you have two or more phone sockets in use around your house, then you will require two or more broadband filters.