News Page

Updated - 11th January 2008

What speed Broadband?

Just how fast can your own broadband connection work?

For example, can you ever really expect to get 8MB or greater on your normal telephone line?

There are a number of factors that determine the speed of broadband delivery, these include how far you are from the local exchange, the number of 'connection boxes' in the line from the exchange and the age of your telephone line.

We will soon be adding a new article on the Features page which will delve deeper into this subject based on what Senior Net does with its own connections and of course, any feedback that we receive from visitors.

However, in the meantime these speed testers will tell you what speed you 'could' get with your BT line, or what speed you're getting at the moment with your current provider.

BT Line Speed Tester

Internet Frog Broadband Test

ADSL Broadband Speed Test

Threat increase for your PC?

With more and more PC attacks being made by various methods including Malware, Trojans, remote dialers and email attachments, it is still virtually important that you keep your PC protected. Even more so, as newer (Web 2.0) applications become available over the Internet for Online Calendars, Word Processing and Picture databases etc.

Read this latest report from Search Security and make sure that your PC is protected.

Check out our recent article on 'Spyware and how to deal with it' - we'll be making an update to this shortly.

Broadband 'wars' hot up

With the launch of TalkTalk's 'Free Broadband' for life, the price 'war' for your Broadband order is really 'hotting' up.

An article by the Jennifer Hill of the Scotsman says that this can only benefit the ordinary consumer.

TalkTalk's package, (which seems to have gathered most of the recent headlines) seems to be a very good offer of the face it and appears to compare favourably with other Broadband providers, particularly if you add the other benefits of local and overseas calls (when you become a Talk3 International user) that TalkTalk are including in the offer.

According to their PR department the offer is being taken up a very fast rate with orders now backing up to July for delivery. In fact we have found out that due to TalkTalk deployment equipment issues within BT exchanges it is possible that there may be some additional delays.

The only drawback that we can see so far, if it is a drawback; is that you have to sign up for an 18 month contract! If you don't mind that, then this may be the deal you've been waiting for. As with all things there is a hefty Terms & Conditions section, we would advise you to read this in-depth before you sign up.

For an independent review of the total package including listings of 'penalties' for leaving the contract early, take a look at Martin Lewis's 'Money Saving Expert' article.

Not everyone it would seem is happy with the offer, or more particularly the advertising of the offer. It would appear that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is now looking into these complaints. I suppose it's a bit like the '8MB' question, just how do you ever get that speed?

Other Broadband service providers are now stepping up with their competitive offers:

PlusNet has similarly announced new 8MB products for all users

Tiscali is offering new 2MB products which might be upgraded to faster speeds later

BT.com is also responding with a revamp to its Broadband products (up to 8MB for all options), however, as yet these offers do not include any line telephone call costs.

For more details on other new offers, check out the Broadband.co.uk provider comparison site or visit the ADSL Guide for more details.

If your already a TalkTalk Broadband user or have ordered the new product, we would be interested to hear from you, either via email or perhaps via a topic in the Forum.

Britain's Internet Habits Revealed

97% of all households in the UK are within 5km of a Broadband activated exchange. Just one of the many facts in this revealing article on Britain's Internet Habits.

Do you disagree, let us know via the usual channels.

Submit your news here

If you come across interesting news articles and would like to share them with other SeniorNet UK readers, then send us a short email containing the relevant information and links and we consider adding it to our news page.

As a reference, old News pages can be found here.

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