The broadband market is at times exciting, certainly significant but above all confusing, particularly if you, like most people, are unfamiliar with the technical terminology and garbled jargon that litters the language of broadband advertising.

The speed of a broadband connection is the most frequent boast with which broadband providers sell their service to consumers, but if you don't fully understand what difference the speed of a connection will make to you then you may end up with the wrong package for your purposes. Let the demystification begin!

Download Speed

For any part of the internet to be enjoyed on your PC at home information will need to be transferred to, or 'downloaded' onto your PC. The rate at which this information, or 'data', can be downloaded differs depending on your connection type, your broadband provider and your particular package limitations. Every broadband provider will give you a maximum download speed, usually in megabits per second or Meg, at which your service will be able to theoretically operate.

The faster the speed, the quicker information will be downloaded to your PC. For example, most web pages are just a few kilobytes or megabytes in size and so will load quickly on most broadband connections.

However, if you're planning on downloading large files like movies or video games or planning on streaming video from the internet you'll need a connection with a speedy download capability to make the process as smooth and swift as possible. As a general rule of thumb, the faster the connection the higher the monthly costs of the service to you.

Upload Speed

The lesser known side of a broadband connection is the upload speed. Your computer, as well as downloading information, will be constantly uploading information to make the interactivity of the internet possible.

For broadband connections which use your BT telephone line, majority of people will have download speeds that far exceeds their upload speed and for most purposes this is fine. If for some reason you want a connection that lets you upload large files quickly then you may need to opt for a cable broadband package.

Affected Aspects

Broadband speeds will influence many aspects of your online experience. If you frequently catch up on TV shows online then a faster connection will not only allow smoother playback but will also give you access to higher quality of video and with the dawn of High Definition online this is a growing concern.

Also if you don't like twiddling your thumbs whilst you wait for an email attachment to download then upping your connection speed or changing your provider will be a valid option.

Aiding Your Choice

Assessing the speed that you require from your broadband connection can be simply done. Consider what kinds of activities you'll use the connection for and whether they would benefit from a faster connection. Also bear in mind that some connections and faster speeds aren't available in some areas and your connection speed will be dictated by the location of your property.

Using a broadband speed test is a good way of assessing your current broadband speed and deciding whether to change or upgrade your service, as well as identifying whether you would really benefit from a speed increase.