Top Broadband Alternatives to Fibre Optic
Unfortunately, many people enjoying a life of happy pastoral living in rural Britain suffer from a lack of quality broadband. While some live in total “not spots,” many more experience inadequate service. This can be frustrating, especially for business owners who rely on Internet access to stay connected to customers. There are broadband alternatives in rural UK, however. Here are a few ways to get you out of Internet Purgatory.
ADSL Broadband Alternatives
The easiest option would be ADSL broadband. ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line which is simply accessing the Internet through an existing telephone line. ADSL lines generally delivers enough broadband for home use or even for small businesses. You can check to see if your line can receive broadband by visiting the BT Broadband Availability Checker and entering your telephone number. If you don’t have a land line you can enter your postcode or address to determine whether broadband is an option in your area.
Bonded ADSL Broadband
For businesses that have outgrown the single ADSL connection, Bonded ADSL Broadband is a good next step for staying connected. It provides a less expensive alternative to leased lines and MPLS connections found in high-performance networks. Broadband is delivered using multiple ADSL lines that combine to form a single connection to deliver faster download and upload speeds.
Mobile Phone Broadband / 3G / 4G
For some people getting a BT phone line may not even be an option. They may also find that an ADSL line is too slow and erratic. Mobile broadband then becomes an attractive alternative, providing you get a good mobile phone signal. Using what is basically a router that plugs into a USB port, 3G speeds may deliver comparable speeds to ADSL and 4G will likely outperform it all together. While this will be a more expensive option it may be possible to find a deal for unlimited or high usage. Ofcom’s mobile broadband coverage checker allows you to see if this is an option in your area.
Satellite Broadband
Another alternative for those living in rural areas is satellite broadband. A satellite dish is required to allow two-way access to the home. While traditionally this type of broadband delivery was painfully slow (and expensive), there have been great improvements in speed in recent years. A clear line of sight is required for optimal reception, however, and what is considered optimal for satellite broadband still falls short of the speeds many people have come to expect. Inclement weather can also negatively impact service and cause delays or latencies.
Wireless Delivery via Radio Masts
Access to broadband can also be achieved wirelessly through a radio mast. A smart antenna is required which needs to be set up outside the home or business and in sight of the mast. A wireless router is used inside the property, similar to the way you would route broadband through a land line.
Leased Lines
Leased lines are a good option for businesses operating in remote areas with unreliable broadband access. Companies in Blackpool, Lytham and Lancashire have the option of using these private circuit lines to make sure they have uninterrupted access. Businesses operating in Cumbria’s Lake District can use these data lines to stay in touch with offices further south.
