BT Broadband
HomeCableBroadbandTVPhoneBundlesFibre Optic BroadbandVirgin MediaProvidersNewsBlogsGuides
Test your Broadband Speed  |  Follow Cable on Twitter
Home » Compare Broadband » ADSL Broadband

ADSL Broadband Packages

ADSL broadband is the most widely available broadband service in the UK. If you live in a remote area, the chances are you will still be able to receive ADSL broadband if there is an exchange close by. To find out if you can get ADSL broadband, type your postcode or phone number into our availability checker below.
Check availability in your area
Your postcode:
  
Package Name & DetailsDownload
Speed		Monthly UsageContract
Length		One-off
Cost		Monthly
Cost		 
  
Wireless router
Download speed
Unlimited usage
Bundles only
Sort by
Plusnet
Plusnet Value Broadband
Up to 8Mb download speeds with a 10GB monthly download limit. Inclusive wireless router. Free connection. (more)
8Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
12
months
FREE
no fee
£5.99
per month
See Deal
BT
BT Talk & Surf
OFFER - £7.49 FOR 3 MONTHSInclusive wireless BT Home Hub. Basic security. 10GB monthly allowance. Unlimited weekend calls. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
FREE
no fee
£7.49
for 3 months
then £14.49
See Deal
BT
BT Broadband Option 1
SAVE £24 - £7.99 FOR 3 MONTHSIncludes wireless BT Home Hub. Basic security. Up to 20Mb broadband. 10GB monthly allowance. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
FREE
no fee
£7.99
for 3 months
then £15.99
See Deal
BT
BT Talk & Surf Plus
OFFER - £7.99 FOR 3 MONTHSInclusive BT Wireless Home Hub. 10GB monthly usage. Unlimited anytime calls. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
FREE
no fee
£7.99
for 3 months
then £15.99
See Deal
BT
BT Vision + Broadband
Up to 20Mb broadband. 10GB monthly allowance. 70 digital channels. Pause, rewind & record live TV. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
£90.00
one-off fee
£7.99
for 3 months
then £15.99
See Deal
Orange
Orange Home Starter
Inclusive wireless router plus free evening & weekend calls. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
Unlimited
usage
18
months
FREE
no fee
£10.00
per month
See Deal
Virgin Media
Virgin National Broadband M + Phone
SAVE £20 - 2 MONTHS FREEFree wireless router. Up to 20Mb broadband. 10GB usage. Unlimited weekend UK landline calls. Free storage & backup. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
12
months
£35.00
one-off fee
FREE
for 2 months
then £10.00
See Deal
Plusnet
Plusnet Premium Broadband
REDUCED - £11.99 FOR 3 MONTHSUp to 20Mb download with 80GB usage allowance. Free wireless router. 24/7 award winning support. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
80GB
limit
12
months
FREE
no fee
£11.99
for 3 months
then £15.99
See Deal
BT
BT Talk, Surf & Watch More
SAVE £91.50 - FREE VISION+ BOXUp to 20Mb broadband. 10GB usage. Unlimited evening & weekend calls. BT Vision Gold Pack (more)
ESPN
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
FREE
no fee
£13.49
for 3 months
then £28.99
See Deal
Orange
Orange Home Ultra
Up to 20Mb unlimited broadband. Inclusive Livebox wireless router. Free calls. £10.50 for Orange pay monthly mobile customers. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
Unlimited
usage
18
months
FREE
no fee
£13.50
per month
See Deal
BT
BT Broadband Option 2
Inclusive wireless BT Home Hub. McAfee security. Up to 20Mb broadband with 20GB usage. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
8GB
limit
18
months
FREE
no fee
£13.99
for 3 months
then £20.99
See Deal
Virgin Media
Virgin National Broadband L + Phone
SAVE £28 - 2 MONTHS FREEFree wireless router. Up to 20Mb broadband. 40GB usage. Unlimited weekend UK landline calls. Free storage & backup. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
40GB
limit
12
months
£35.00
one-off fee
FREE
for 2 months
then £14.00
See Deal
Eclipse Internet
Eclipse Business Home Office
Up to 24Mb download speeds. Up to 1Mb upload speeds. Free to switch. UK-based technical support.
24Mb
(up to)
3GB
limit
12
months
£40.00
one-off fee
£14.95
per month
See Deal
Virgin Media
Virgin National Broadband M
Up to 20Mb broadband (fastest speed available) with 10GB monthly usage. Free wireless router. Free security software For customers outside cabled areas. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
12
months
£35.00
one-off fee
£15.00
per month
See Deal
BT
BT Broadband + TV + Calls
£15.49 FOR 3 MONTHSUp to 20Mb broadband. 10GB usage. Unlimited evening & weekend calls. BT Vision Bronze Pack. (more)
20Mb
(up to)
10GB
limit
18
months
£15.00
one-off fee
£15.49
for 3 months
then £30.98
See Deal
« Previous
1
2
Next »

ADSL Broadband Explained

'Broadband' is an umbrella term that is used to describe a number of different types of internet services that operate via a number of different technologies, but usually refers to a digitally supplied internet service that offers significantly faster speeds than dial up broadband. ADSL Broadband is just one of the main broadband technologies available, and because of the way it functions it is also the most widely available and popular form of broadband internet connection currently used in the UK.

ADSL Broadband Technology

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, which ultimately means that it is a digital internet service that you receive via your existing BT landline and is capable of far greater download speeds than upload, hence the 'Asymmetric' prefix. Because it can be supplied down virtually any existing copper telephone line ADSL broadband can be accessed by virtually anyone, but there are restrictions and limits on the ADSL technology that don't make it suitable in every situation.

The first of these is speed. Since ADSL MAX was introduced a couple of years ago, most ADSL broadband ISPs (Internet Service Providers) have offered connections with 'up to' 8Mbps of download speeds. However, the actual speed that you will achieve is dependant on two key factors. The first is the length of your line which is determined by the distance from your nearest telephone exchange, where every phone line in your area will ultimately have to pass through before connecting to a main national trunk.

The longer the telephone line, the more the quality of the ADSL signal depreciates and the slower your actual connection speed will be. Thankfully most ADSL ISPs will provide a function on their website that will allow you to enter your phone number and then find out what speed your line will be capable of. The second is the amount of traffic that is handled by your local exchange. Because several users will ultimately have to share the same connection in the exchange your internet may experience slow down during busy periods as people jostle for bandwidth.

What You'll Need

Your ISP will more than likely provide a free broadband router or USB modem which you'll need to access your connection. You'll also receive a mircofilter, which will plug directly into your phone socket. Into this you'll need to plug both your router and your home telephone, and the filter will send the correct information to each. The great thing about ADSL is that you can use your phone at the same time as your internet connection is being used, and the connection is 'always on' so there's not need to connect every time you turn on your PC or laptop.

To plug your PC or laptop into your router you'll need a network cable, which is usually provided, or alternatively if you've been supplied with a wireless router which can broadcast your connection around your home, and you posses a wireless enabled computer, then you could set up a Wi-Fi network and connect that way instead.

Other ADSL Options

In certain circumstances you may have the option of an ADSL broadband internet service that is capable of speeds of up to 24Mbps. However, there are only a couple of ISPs who offer this, and these services are restricted only to a few areas so you will more likely than not be unable to receive this kind of service.

Related Pages

Home  |  Cable  |  Fibre Optic Broadband  |  Virgin Broadband  |  Broadband, TV & Phone  |  About Us  |  Sitemap  |  Tools  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms
Copyright © 2005-2010 Cable.co.uk. All rights reserved.