Internet access

How to get an internet connection at home

There are lots of ISPs (Internet Service Providers) in the UK market and now most phone companies offer combined packages for telephone calls and internet access. During your stay you will see and receive a lot of advertising for all of the different offers! All universities and most schools have access to the Internet.

It is easy to get connected pretty much anywhere and there is a good range of services on offer. Options include: dial-up, ISDN, ADSL, and Cable. Bear in mind that it may take a while to get high-speed access, such as ADSL, installed. In large cities there are also some wireless operators offering localised services and there are now many internet hot spots becoming available.

Dial-up access

The majority of dial-up ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offer three types of access:

a pay-as-you-go service
a flat rate service which means you pay a fixed amount per month for unlimited access
a combination of the two. This usually involves a flat fee for access after peak business hours and a per-minute charge during them.

Both analogue and ISDN lines can be used to access the Internet by dial up. ISDN will offer you faster access at 64 kbps (or 128 kbps, if you use both lines at the same time). The monthly fee for an ISDN line is a little more expensive and you will need a special ISDN modem.

Access rates vary considerably, so it is wise to shop around. Many providers do not even require any sign-up or commitment - simply calling a designated number to make the connection is enough.

High Speed Access (Broadband e.g. ADSL, Cable)

ADSL and Cable connections are widely available, and there are many options to choose from. Basically, the more you pay the faster your connection speed will be. The market is very competitive, so again it is definitely worth shopping around for the best offer. There are almost always offers where you will not be charged set-up fees or modem costs.

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