1. Gillian Giblin

2. Questions to ask starting out
 Which Broadband providers are available in
my area?
 What speed do I require?
 Will a CAP affect me?
 Are the connection, modem and installation
costs included in the price?
 How long is the contract?
 What support does the ISP offer?

3. 10 Providers in Donnybrook
Eircom UPC Digiweb
Vodafone O2 Meteor
Imagine 3 Mobile
Magnet Onwave

4. Types of Broadband
 DSL Digital Subscriber Line =
Delivers broadband over your existing phone line through
unused frequencies.
Pro: Reliable because of individual link to internet
Con: Phone line required and speed varies by distance from
telephone exchange.
 ASDL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line =
Information is downloaded more rapidly than it is
uploaded.
 SDSL Symmetric broadband =
Downloads information at the same speed as it uploads.
Requires an extra telephone line.

5. Satellite = Uses satellite in space, there are 2
types:
One-way services download info via satellite
and upload via telephone or IDSN line.
Two-way services download and upload via
satellite. Good for remote areas.
Pro: Works well for those in remote areas.
Con: Expensive and can be connection
problems.

6.  Wireless: Requires an antenna to receive internet.
 Pro: Very fast and can be shared between multiple devices.
 Con: Traffic and congestion online.
 Cable: Connection via TV provider using cables.
 Pro: Bundling options and fast transmission
 Con: Shared connection slows speed down.
 Mobile portable, wireless internet,
 Pro: No need for a phone line. Portability makes very
accessible.
 Con: Download and upload restrictions

7. Some things to consider:
 Speeds are expressed in Mb/s
 There are 8 bits in a byte! 8b = 1Mb per sec
 ISP =Internet Service Provider
 If you are using Broadband through copper wire (most
common medium) then the closer you live to your
local exchange the faster speed you will get. For this
reason DSL is not as popular as Cable.
 Fibre wire Broadband is not affected by distance.

8. Fibre optic OR copper wire cables?
Fiber optic cables use light to transmit data.
Copper wire cables use electrical signals.
Fibre cables have:
 Greater bandwidth
 Can travel further distances
 Effectively immune to electromagnetic interference such
as power lines and railroad tracks.
As a small business; the faster speeds and reliability of
internet that come with fibre optic cables; may or may not be
a necessity. The difference in cost plays an important factor in
deciding which is the suitable medium.

9. Do you need a phone line?
Many broadband providers offer bundle packages with
line rental and offpeak/anytime calls.
Is a phone line necessary to your business?
I have decided that for my SME my mobile will be
sufficient and I do not need an office phone.
I am looking for the best broadband only deal.

10. Summary of considerations
Connection ISDN, Cable, DSL, Satellite, Wireless
Options
Speed How fast do you need your internet access to be? Take into
account often providers run slower than the stated speed
depending on coverage.
Cost Expect to pay €30/€40 a month,
Price increases if looking for faster speeds or new mediums
such as satellite.
Watch out for: activation and/or equipment charges not
included.
VAT may not be inclusive.
Extras Bundles: Line rental, tv and gaming. Multiple modems.

11. Eircom
 8Mb broadband
 €20.65 per month, exclusive of VAT
 10GB usage allowance
 Free Wireless Modem
 Free self install - online only
 12 month contract

12. UPC
 20Mb Fibre Optic Broadband
 €25 a month
 Order online for free connection- €7.75 charge if
not purchased with TV or Phone package
 €49.99 Modem once-off charge
 20Mb downstream; 1.2Mb upstream
 No telephone line required
 500GB usage limit
 15 email addresses

13. Magnet
 Magnet uses ASDL 2 which is capable of doubling the
frequency bandwidth of typical ADSL connections.
 Home Broadband: €40 without modem/ €45 with
 Upto 24Mb
 Need phone line
 Business Broadband: 8Mb down/ 512kb upload €33
 24Mb down/ 768kb upload €60
 Unlimited downloads
 Add €15 extra for line rental

14.  WiMax -> 3 months half price 1-10Mb
 Wireless and DSL options available.
Wireless:
 Starting from €25-45 a month, VAT inclusive
 €100 Activation initial cost
 For €10 extra a month; add line rental
Do not sell Business packages only home
options, which means cannot claim VAT back.

15. Vodafone Performance Plus-
mobile
 €20.65 ex. VAT
 Up to 14.4 Mb
 Mobile Broadband comes with free modem when
you order online.
 10GB monthly download
 (€1 for every GB you go over the monthly limit)
 No phone line required
 Upto 5 devices can acquire internet

16. DigiWeb
Metro DSL Satellite
€49.95 €49.95 €32.95
1-10 Mb 3-8Mb 1-10Mb
(8 in Donnybrook) (3 in Donnybrook) (6 in Donnybrook)
No phone req. Phone req. No phone req.
€49 installation Free installation €219.95 equipment
Line rental incl. and Off peak calls charge
call deals

17. Eircom €20.65 ex VAT 8 Mb 10 Gb usage Wireless
UPC €25 + €49.99 Up to 20 Mb 1.2 Mb Fibre optic
modem charge
Magnet €33 8 Mb 512 Kb ASDL2
Imagine €30 + €100 1-10 Mb 256/512 Kb Wireless
start up cost
Vodafone €20.65 ex VAT Up to 14.4 Mb 300 Mb Mobile
Digiweb €49.95 3-8 Mb 10 Mb DSL

18. My choice of provider
 For the fastest speeds and reliance on internet strength
I would be inclined to choose UPC as my broadband
provider.
 However competition offers similar speeds and similar
prices; it is a close call.
 If I often worked outside of the office I would veer
towards a mobile plan like Vodafone. If download and
file sharing opportunities were more important; then
Eircom would provide better a option.
 For the requirements of my SME - UPC provide
sufficient coverage at a good price.

19. References
 http://www.broadband-guide.org.uk/types-of-
broadband.html
 http://www.bandwidthbar.co.za/articles/fiber_copper.
php
 http://www.digiweb.ie/business/
 http://www.getbroadband.ie/consultancy.php
 http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/about-
virgin-broadband/fibre-optic-explained.html

20. More References:
 http://pcnineoneone.com/howto/isp2/
 http://www.upc.ie/broadband/twenty/
 http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what
+do+i+need+to+know+about+broadband&aq=f
 http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-types-
of-broadband-modems.html