If you're looking to compare broadband offers and providers, but are finding yourself sinking in a mire of jargon and technical lingo, you've come to the right place. It can be very confusing and difficult to decide what is the best type of broadband for you, and also whether deals are good offers or not. This article is here to help.

ADSL vs Fiber Optic

You've probably seen these two types of broadband mentioned, but what are they? Which type you choose can make a huge difference to the speed of your internet, so it's important to understand what they are and how they compare.

ADSL Broadband

ADSL is normal, standard broadband and is generally available in lots of places. Its highest speed is 17 megabytes per second (Mbps) but it can be a lot slower in the countryside. It is usually the cheapest option, and there are lots of deals available which can include telephone and television combinations.

The disadvantage of this type of broadband is that it can vary in speed, and if you use a lot of internet, it might be too slow.

That's where fiber optic broadband comes in.

Fiber Optic Broadband

This is 'superfast broadband' and can reach up to 152Mbps. It's slowly reaching more remote locations, but can mainly be found in towns and cities at the moment. It's great if you use the internet a lot, but it can be expensive and might not yet be available where you live.

Other Options

If ADSL sounds too slow for you, but fiber optic broadband has not yet reached your location, you can access satellite broadband through some suppliers: you'll have a satellite dish installed at your property to receive a strong internet signal. It's available everywhere, but can be expensive to set up and expensive to run.

There's also the option of mobile broadband, which is great if you need signal while you're out and about, or if you're about to move house. Provision can be patchy because it relies on signal, but it's great if you're frequently mobile on business or need internet on the go.

Questions To Ask

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both ADSL and fiber optic broadband packages. If you ask yourself the following questions, this should inform you of what the best choice is for you:
- Do I do a lot of downloading and streaming?
- Do we have a big family with many internet users?
- Is fiber optic broadband available in our area?
- Do we need a phone, internet and television package?
- What is our budget?

With a little thought about your requirements and facilities, you should have a better understanding of your needs and options to choose the best broadband for you and your family.