Broadband Guides: Understanding Broadband

What are hyperlinks, and why do they matter?

We examine what are hyperlinks used for and how they act as the glue which holds the internet together.

What’s the surface web?

We rely heavily on the surface web every day, yet it’s only a tiny part of the wider internet

Why don’t we have broadband in our cars?

In-car infotainment systems continue to evolve beyond mere music players, but broadband in cars remains beyond our reach.

What do the lights on my broadband router mean?

How is ‘full fibre broadband’ defined?

The definition of full fibre broadband is a mystery to many consumers, despite Ofcom’s attempts at clarifying it

What causes buffering?

The question ‘what causes buffering’ is often asked – but only usually once it’s already happened…

How to get a better broadband deal by understanding jargon

Broadband terminology is often confusing. We explain what it all means, to help you negotiate a better deal on your next contract.

A guide to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide a bridge between home broadband and your car’s infotainment system

Automatic updates might be causing your slow broadbad

Automatic updates might not seem an obvious cause of slow broadband, but they can dramatically slow down your system.

How does UK broadband connect to the wider internet?

The importance of internal links and backlinks to website SEO

Many factors influence website SEO, but hyperlinks are a vital component of ensuring pages rank highly in search results

What is ChatGPT?

We get under the skin of ChatGPT and put the headline-generating AI to the test for ourselves.

How to recognise and avoid modern spam emails

Avoiding spam emails is easier than ever, because ISPs have invested huge amounts of time and energy in combating them.

Could you save money by lowering your broadband speed?

Many of us don't really need the top speeds we pay for - you may be able to save on broadband without any real drawbacks.

House hunters should consider ever-changing available broadband speeds

Residential broadband speeds aren’t just a key factor in property marketing – they’re also constantly changing.

How to get broadband without without a landline in 2023

What broadband speed do I need for working, streaming and gaming?

Minimum broadband speeds determine what type – and speed – of home internet connection you need.

What is the World Wide Web?

To understand what is the World Wide Web, we need to go back to an age when the internet existed but web browsing didn’t.

What are URLs?

Many people wouldn’t know how to answer the question ‘what are URLs’, yet the answer is surprisingly straightforward

What is the metaverse?

You’ve probably heard about it online, amid lots of excitable chatter. But what is the metaverse, and what will it involve?

What’s bonded broadband?

As ISPs struggle to improve broadband infrastructure in remote or sparsely-populated regions, bonded broadband offers a workaround.

How fast do I need my broadband to be?

There’s no definitive answer to the question of how fast should broadband be, but it’s possible to calculate minimum requirements fairly easily.

What are Crown Jewels sporting events?

Despite attempts by streaming services to muscle in on crown jewels sporting events, the government are determined to maintain a degree of free-to-air coverage

Do you know your broadband connection speed?

Broadband connection speeds might seem mysterious, but there are easy ways to check your home’s upload and download speeds.

Broadband and WiFi are not the same thing

Broadband and WiFi are often confused, yet the differences between them deserve understanding – especially when faults arise.

How to avoid overloading your broadband router with too many devices

Overloading your broadband router is easily done if you attempt to connect too many devices, but how many is too many?

What are symmetrical broadband speeds?

Symmetrical broadband speeds represent a key advantage of full fibre broadband services, but how do they work?

Common broadband myths exposed

Common broadband myths range from misunderstandings to absurdities, and separating fact from fiction is vital for consumers

A beginner’s guide to broadband routers

Broadband routers are the gateway to the internet, but they can be a source of mystery for people unfamiliar with this technology.

Broadband in new homes

Broadband in new homes tends to be faster than in comparable resale properties, and connectivity is often a key selling feature among developers

What is Gigabit broadband?

As the current gold standard of connectivity, gigabit broadband offers a future-proof solution to domestic internet access

What is build to rent, and how does it affect broadband access?

Build to rent schemes are growing in popularity, and they offer tenants a shortcut to the fast lane of the internet superhighway

Online backups – how to protect your data

Data storage has come a long way since the days of Zip drives and USB sticks, but online backups come in a variety of guises – with varying drawbacks and limitations

How does free public WiFi work?

Free public WiFi has become big business, as a way of attracting and retaining customers for longer

What’s the difference between a mobile dongle and a MiFi hub?

There’s more than one difference between a mobile dongle and a MiFi hub, which is worth understanding if you need temporary (or portable) internet access

What is a smart home?

The definition of what is a smart home has changed over the years, and today it incorporates everything from green energy to automation

The differences between broadband, superfast and ultrafast broadband

Understanding the differences between broadband, superfast and ultrafast broadband will help to ensure your next internet package is suitable

Why is it hard to get new cable services in established areas?

Millions of consumers would benefit from the faster internet speeds offered by cable services, yet these are often unavailable, even in urban areas

How do you deliver broadband to an island?

Broadband in island communities can be a hit-and-miss affair, not helped by the UK’s awkward geography and topology

How densely populated is the UK?

The question of how densely populated is the UK takes on particular significance when it comes to broadband availability

Why do broadband speeds tend to be quoted as 11, 35 or 64Mbps?

Standard broadband speeds tend to be clustered around a few key numbers, but there are good reasons for this consistency among rival ISPs

How energy efficient is your broadband?

There might not seem to be many parallels between power and internet connectivity, but energy efficient broadband can be measured and analysed

How to find great photographs online

Being able to find great photographs online can transform your website, social media timelines and online presence – especially if you’re not a natural photographer

Who are Openreach, and why are they so significant?

It’s important for consumers to understand who are Openreach working on behalf of when they undertake broadband works or agree to connect a telephone line

What is binary data?

We talk about binary data all the time, but it’s not immediately obvious what this term means – or how it’s measured

How to switch off after spending the day online

Being able to disconnect from the internet is a real challenge, but it’s vital for preserving our mental and physical wellbeing and safety

How housebuilders fit high-speed broadband in new homes

Full-fibre broadband in new builds is becoming commonplace as developers tempt potential purchasers with ultrafast connectivity

FACT: You don’t have to use the wifi router your ISP supplies

ISP branded routers are often disappointingly cheap and inefficient - switching could make a huge difference

What is bandwidth, and how does it help with broadband?

Bandwidth and broadband are often conflated, so knowing the difference between the two will help to ensure your next broadband deal is suitable for your needs

Why does Hull not have BT or Openreach infrastructure?

Telephone services and broadband in Hull are different to the rest of the country, owing to a curious historic anomaly