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"Broadband", in telecommunications, is a term that refers to a signaling method that includes or handles a relatively wide range of frequencies, which may be divided into channels or frequency bins. Broadband is always a relative term, understood according to its context. The wider the bandwidth, the greater the information-carrying capacity. In radio, for example, a very narrow-band signal will carry Morse code; a broader band will carry speech; a still broader band is required to carry music without losing the high audio frequencies required for realistic sound reproduction. A television antenna described as "normal" may be capable of receiving a certain range of channels; one described as "broadband" will receive more channels. In data communications a modem will transmit a bandwidth of 56 kilobits per seconds (kbit/s) over a telephone line; over the same telephone line a bandwidth of several megabits per second can be handled by ADSL, which is described as broadband (relative to a modem over a telephone line, although much less than can be achieved over a fiber optic circuit, for example).

What is DSL?

DSL or xDSL, is a family of technologies that provide digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop, although in recent years, the term digital subscriber line has been widely adopted as a more marketing-friendly term for ADSL, which is the most popular version of consumer-ready DSL. DSL uses high frequency, while regular telephone uses low frequency on the same telephone line.

Typically, the download speed of consumer DSL services ranges from 256 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s, depending on DSL technology, line conditions and service level implemented. Typically, upload speed is lower than download speed for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and equal to download speed for the rarer Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL).

What is Cable Internet?

Cable internet is similar to digital subscriber lines and fiber optic networks in that it bridges the last kilometre or mile from the internet provider to the subscriber premises. It is layered on top of the existing network infrastructure used for cable television similar to how DSL uses the existing telephone network. Cable networks remain, along with the telephone network, one of the two predominant means of residential internet access. Recently, both have seen increased competition from dedicated fibre deployments and wireless and mobile networks.

Bit rates can be as much 50 megabits per second for business connections, but consumers are generally offered between two and ten megabits, depending on country. Upstream (from the user) rates range from 384 kilobits per second to more than 20Mbps. Broadband cable internet access requires a cable modem (CM) at the customer premises and a CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) at a cable operator facility (typically a headend or hub location). The two are connected via coaxial cable.

DSL Vs Cable Broadband

Like all residential broadband network technologies (e.g. DSL, FTTX, Satellite internet, WiMAX), a fixed channel capacity is shared by a population of users. For example, users in a particular neighborhood share the available capacity provided by a single coaxial cable line. This means that service speed can vary depending on how many people are using the service at the same time.

• DSL connection speeds are often comparable with cable speeds (1-2 Mbps usually), however because they are distance sensitive, the farther you live from your service provider's central office, the slower your connection will be. Cable modem speeds are almost always at least 1-1.5 Mbps and sometimes faster depending on how many users are logged on. But like DSL, there are many factors, including general Web traffic that can add to slower speeds, not just the amount of users online.
  
• DSL is not available in all areas, but is usually available in urban areas. Cable Internet is available to anyone who can receive cable television.
  
• DSL is a little more expensive than cable. Although self-installation is becoming easier and more cost-efficient, it is still priced a little higher. Also, monthly service fees are slightly higher than cable on average. There are many DSL internet service providers to choose from. Cable wins when it comes to the price. Based on installation and monthly service fees, cable is usually a better bet if price is an issue.

The video below was created by Tiger Direct. It talks about choosing between DSL and Broadband:

Top UK Internet Service Providers

According to the independant review service, ISPReview.co.uk, the top 10 service providers in the UK, by subscriber numbers are as follows:

1. BT Retail (PlusNet, Brightview) 4,400,000
2. Virgin Media 3,781,800
3. Carphone Warehouse (TalkTalk, AOL) 2,700,000
4. Tiscali (Pipex) 1,875,000
5. Sky Broadband (BSkyB) 1,428,000
6. Orange (France Telecom) 1,107,000
7. Kingston Comms (KCOM) 195,255
8. O2 (Be Unlimited) 131,420
9. THUS Group (Demon) 126,000
10. Entanet 92,000

However, the top 10 Internet service providers ranked by user ratings are quite different:

1. Fast.co.uk
2. TitanADSL
3. Naims
4. O2
5. SurfAnyTime
6. Vispa
7. Aquiss
8. ICUK
9. UKFSN
10. IDNet

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband is a sophisticated new technology that allows you to access the internet on your laptop almost anywhere - even when you’re abroad. As the name suggests, mobile broadband is broadband connectivity available on the go.

Mobile broadband is also known as mobile internet and can be accessed via a number of devices these include mobile phones, mobile dongles and data cards. A dongle is what you plug into your laptop to get Mobile Broadband. It's fast, it's easy and you don't need to be anywhere near a wireless hub or hotspot. Mobile networks now cover over 85% of the UK population. Mobile Broadband is available on Pay As You Go or Pay Monthly price schemes. So you're completely free to pick the package that suits you best, maybe even pick up a free dongle from some providers. Mobile dongles are essentially portable modems and while the term mobile broadband dongle is popular, these devices are also called: mobile USB sticks and USB modems.