Broadband FAQs : Need-to-know information made simple.

Unlike static IP addresses, a dynamic IP address is one that changes from time to time.

Having a dynamic IP address will usually make no difference to the quality of your broadband connection.

Dynamic IP addresses are primarily used by ISPs because of their cost effectiveness.

Most ISPs will charge a fortune to provide a static IP address to home broadband customers.

All computers that are connected to the internet are assigned a unique numerical address known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

A static IP address is a permanent IP address that is associated with a single computer.

Having a static IP address is useful for businesses and people who like to play online games as their device is instantly recognisable every time by the hosting server.

For home broadband, static IP addresses are much more rare than dynamic IP addresses because they cost more to your ISP to offer them.

Most modern computers and laptops will have a built-in modem. Nowadays modems don’t exist as a physical, separate box – as you would find with a router.

Modems translate the information sent to it through your router so you can watch videos, check emails and use Facebook on your computer.

Computer information is stored digitally but the information sent over your phone or cable lines are analog waves.

Think of the modem as a translator it takes those analog waves and converts them to digital signals and then delivers them to your computer.

A router is that small box that sits on your desk or in your living room and is connected wirelessly to any internet-enabled devices like smart TVs, digital voice assistants, computers, tablets, or smartphones.

A router allows mulitple people or devices to use the internet at the same time.

It means you can be streaming Netflix in the kitchen while the kids can be on their phones, tablets or gaming online in their room.

Routers are sometimes called “WiFi routers” to emphasise the fact that your broadband connection gives you free WiFi throughout your home.

Routers are normally included free with the cost of a broadband deal although you may pay a small postage fee.

Having a router is basically compulsory as no modern internet packages are sold without one.

WiFi is a means of connecting wirelessly to the internet.

It allows you to go online wherever you are, without being tied to a phone line or home broadband connection.

There are many options for using WiFi, both in and out of the home or workplace.

Most modern routers will allow you to connect wirelessly, as do wireless dongles and WiFi hotspots in public spaces.

There are many reasons why your broadband could be slow.

In general, the further away your home is from a green street cabinet, the slower your type of broadband connection will be.

The more people that use the same WiFi, the slower it will be. This applies both to the people inside your house, and to your neighbours.

Electrical interference or poor weather conditions can also disrupt broadband speeds.

There may also be a problem with your ISP or the company that supplies your broadband.

If you are using wireless internet at home you may find it slower or less reliable than a wired connection.

If you do have trouble connecting in this case, try plugging your device into the router and you’ll probably notice a difference. As wireless connections rely on a frequency, they can be susceptible to interference – from neighbour’s WiFi for example.

If making a wired connection isn’t possible, you can also try moving your device closer to the router or investing in a better quality aerial or signal booster, to better move the data around.

Always keep in mind, the more users on a network, the more demand for data and the slower it will be.

If you’re in a busy environment with several devices connected at once, you may want to check your speed when there are fewer people around.

Most, if not all, modern routers will support a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

It is possible to find free VPN clients but they often lack basic security measures or have hidden marketing tactics to justify an upfront cost of nothing.

You may need to configure your router before you can set up a private network.

It’s also advisable to download the latest firmware for your router. When you’re ready to go, you will need the IP address of the network you wish to connect to.

Older routers and hardware may not be capable of running VPNs with OpenVPN, which offers better security and faster connection speeds.

Virtual Private Network or VPN for short, is a secure way of remotely accessing a private network.

When you use a VPN, your connection to the internet is bounced around a number of different servers, so anyone watching in on will not be able to tell your location or any identifying information about your device.

Data is also encrypted between devices. This means only users at the start and end point can access the information being sent.

VPNs are commonly used for working away from the office, or for organisations with multiple offices to work as one unit, although many people use VPNs for privacy.

A firewall is a network security system used to control incoming and outgoing web traffic.

It is designed to protect users while they are connected to the internet and to help deter potential threats.

As the name suggests, firewalls act as a barrier between secure and unsecured networks (such as the internet).

You can configure a firewall through your PC or laptop.

Typically some level of firewall security comes pre-installed but you are also able to decide what is and isn’t allowed on your network, allowing you to set the level of security that best suits your needs.

LLU or Local Loop Unbundling is term relating to ADSL internet connections, which in the UK are mostly owned by Openreach.

ISPs can sell you their version of broadband by using BT’s infrastructure.

A local loop is the cable through which you receive internet and phone calls.

Unbundling is what allows different ISPs to connect you to their service.

Unbundling typically refers to internet connections as it is possible to retain a BT phone line while receiving broadband from another ISP.

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and is a type of technology that transmits data over a phone line.

This is very old equipment and mostly obsolete in the days of much faster Fibre to the Cabinet and full fibre broadband.

The most common type of DSL is ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) typically known as standard broadband, which allows connection to the internet.

You will see ADSL broadband sold as “up to 17Mbps” speeds.

ADSL works simultaneously with a telephone line so you can access the internet and still use it for calls, unlike the previous generation of internet technology, dial-up.

But ADSL speeds are extremely limited. And the connection is ‘asymmetric’, meaning downloads are much faster than uploads. This contrasts to full fibre which is a symmetric connection, where upload speeds can match download speeds.

DSL’s days are numbered with the growing prominence of fibre broadband which allows for much greater data speeds.

However, very cheap broadband using DSL services may still appeal to basic internet users who simply want to get online for the lowest possible cost.

The simplest way to discover your IP address is to search for the term ‘IP address’ on Google.

In addition to the relevant search results in your browser, the website will display your unique IP address at the top of the page.

An IP address is a unique string of numbers given to every device, whether that’s a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a PC, that is connected to the internet.

You might see an IP address written like this: 99.174.44.142.

The number is used to help identify and locate a device when it is online.

IP addresses are publicly available and can be used to identify a machine, its general location and which ISP supplies its connection, but it doesn’t include any personal details about the user.

If you are changing broadband providers you can normally choose to keep your phone number.

It’s not a difficult thing for ISPs to do, especially if your old provider and your new provider both use the Openreach network to give you broadband.

So even if you’re changing from Sky to TalkTalk, or BT to Plusnet, you should be able to keep your phone number.

Just ask your new broadband provider and they’ll help you through the process.

The main exception is Virgin Media. They build their own cable and fibre networks, so if you are switching from an Openreach broadband connection to Virgin, your phone number will need to be transferred to the new network.

Simply tell Virgin that you want to keep your number when you sign up for a phone or broadband deal and they’ll take care of the rest.