Broadband

A broadband connection gives you high-speed internet access, and in most cases you pay a flat fee every month, regardless of how much time you spend online.

You can get broadband from many different providers, for example:

a home phone or internet provider
a cable or satellite TV provider
a mobile phone network provider
a dedicated broadband satellite network provider

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is worth shopping around and finding out exactly what you get for your money and what best suits your needs.

Costs

Costs for broadband vary depending on the type of service you choose. Before you pick a provider, think about how you usually use the internet – do you only use your computer at home, or do you have a laptop that you bring with you everywhere? Are you a heavy internet user or do you only use it occasionally? If you are a very heavy internet user you may go over your flat fee monthly allowance and this could cost you a lot more. Be sure to ask before signing up.

Questions to ask before you sign up with any broadband provider:

Is there a once-off installation fee or set up charge?
Is there a line rental fee?
If it’s a mobile broadband connection, can you roam with it – use it outside Ireland - and what are the fees?
Is there a download or upload limit, and what is the cost if you go over the limit?
Do you need a telephone line?
What is the ‘contention ratio”?
If you want to get broadband through your telephone line, will they test your line first to see what speeds you can get?
Can you switch if you are in arrears with another provider?
Will broadband interfere with any other service on your telephone line, like a monitored alarm or satellite TV?
Do you have to buy extra equipment such as a modem, or is this included in the package?
Is there a contract for a set period - for example 12 months - or is there an ongoing contract? Are there charges if you cancel?
Can you can switch between different tariff options with no penalty for switching?
Do you need particular services such as technical help or parental controls?

Think about which type of pricing model will suit you best: A flat fee per month or a pay-as-you-use tariff.

Consider other factors that may be important to you, such as speed and performance. For example, find out whether a broadband service has a high "contention ratio". This is the maximum number of subscribers that may share the connection, and gives a rough idea of how clogged up it could get. A contention ratio of 1:1 means you are guaranteed that you are the only person using the connection, but 48:1 means up to 48 users may be sharing it at any one time. Remember, if a broadband provider has tested your line and tells you that you can get a certain broadband speed, ask them how the speed is affected by their contention ratio.

Broadband providers often offer other services such as TV or telephone services. So if you are interested in these too you might want to consider getting all these services from the one supplier – this is called “bundling[link]”. Check out www.uchoose.ie and www.callcosts.ie which help you compare single service and bundled broadband, TV and home phone.

Read a list of broadband products available in Ireland.

The contract

Usually, you sign up for a minimum period, often a year. It's important to check what the contract period is, and what exactly you are committing to, before you sign up. If you already have a broadband provider, check your current contract before switching provider or switching to a different package with the same provider - you might find penalties apply if you decide to exit your contract early. Remember to shop around – some suppliers offer broadband without having to sign up to a contract.

Equipment

You will usually be supplied with any equipment needed to access broadband, like a modem or router, a satellite dish or a laptop dongle, depending on the kind of service you sign up for. Be sure to ask before you sign up to a service, and make sure it includes all the equipment you will need.