As a preferred partner of Cable & Wireless we offer a Broadband installation service for a single computer for Internet and email to large corporations for shared Internet access, email, Virtual Private Network and remote links.
Please contact us by email, or pop into the showroom, if you would like any further information.
Broadband FAQ's
What is Broadband?
Broadband is a generic term meaning that the connection referred to has the capacity to transmit large amounts of data at a high speed. When connected to the Internet this allows information to be viewed much faster than by using a conventional modem or narrowband connection.
What is ADSL?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, and is technology that allows normal copper telephone wires (sometimes known as a twisted pair) to provide a Broadband service.
How much will it cost?
Installation is free.
The monthly charge to Cable and Wireless is £26.99
Will there be a product for home use and business use?
Yes for home internet it's called Broadband Home 500, for business Internet it's called Broadband Pro
At what speed will I be able to download/upload?
The download (to the customer) speed for Broadband Home 500 is 512kbs. For Broadband Pro there is a choice of 3 speeds; 512kbs, 1024kbs and 2048kbs. The upload (away from the customer) speed for ALL products is 256kbs.
Is Broadband better than ISDN?
Not necessarily. Broadband can run faster than ISDN, but it is shared, whereas ISDN is a point to dial up connection with a constant speed. Generally, ISDN is better for companies sending large amounts of data constantly and reqularly. Smaller levels of intermittent data and Internet surfing is more suited to ADSL.
Will the Broadband service be subscription only (i.e. 'always on')?
Yes, this will be the case, however the term 'always-on' should better be described as generally 'always available' with no separate call charges.
If I want to change from one Broadband product to another, can I do this?
Yes, this is not a problem. Charges apply in some instances.
If I already have PhoneNet Digital, can I upgrade to ADSL?
Yes this is a straightforward process and we will encourage you to do this. There is a reduced connection charge for customers who change.
What about security?
To get connected to the Internet you must log on using your user name and password. However once you are connected you are effectively available to the world, even if you have a dynamic IP address! You are encouraged to install a firewall. Global Computing can advise and supply all items to allow you to 'safely surf'.
What is the minimum specification for my computer?
If you are using a PC with Broadband Home 500 it must be running a minimum of Windows 98, a Pentium 200 MHz processor with 32 Mb RAM and 150Mb available on the hard drive. For MAC systems you will need OS 8.6 or 9.xx with 20Mb RAM and 20MB available on hard drive. All systems will need to connect through a USB port. If you are using Broadband Pro products you will need to connect through an Ethernet card with a RJ45 socket, rather than a USB port.
What is contention?
When using ADSL to connect to the Internet, the bandwidth is not unlimited. Therefore a method of sharing bandwidth is necessary to ensure everyone gets a fair share. This is known as 'contention'. The degree of sharing is known as the 'Contention Ratio'. All Products are shown with their contention ratios, which effectively shows you the maximum number of users that you can expect to share your bandwidth with.