High-speed internet access is nothing new, but a number of new entrants to the market and intense competition is driving down prices.

At the beginning of 2005 a standard broadband deal would have cost about £25 a month, but the same package now costs less than £15 a month. If you are prepared to bundle together your TV and/or telephone from the same supplier, you can get even cheaper deals.

Ceri Stanaway, senior researcher at Which?, the consumer organisation, says that with so many different options and price packages, broadband can be very confusing. “There are more than 100 broadband providers, so it can be hard to know what you really need and what you should pay. Cost is important but you do not want to end up with something that isn’t right.”

How can I get broadband?

Broadband internet access can be obtained through a traditional telephone line, cable or satellite connection and is at least ten times faster than dial-up, meaning that you spend less time waiting for web pages to load.

Unlike dial-up, broadband is “always on”, so there is no additional cost for time spent online.

Connection speeds

Chris Williams, broadband product manager for uSwitch.com, the price comparison website, says that the faster connection speeds mean that broadband users can download music files, video clips and films or compete in online gaming. “With a 1Mb connection, it should take no longer than five seconds to download a typical single from itunes.co.uk and less than 45 seconds for an album,” he says.

Downloading films takes longer because the file sizes are much bigger. A 90-minute film of average picture quality would take roughly 15 minutes to download using a 1Mb connection. If you use the internet only for e-mail, web browsing and the occasional download, you are unlikely to need more than a 512k connection. But if you regularly download music files, then a 1Mb connection would be more appropriate. Broadband users can also make telephone calls over the internet, but they would need to subscribe to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider and buy an internet- compatible handset.

Mr Williams says there is so much competition that most providers now offer 1Mb connections as standard. “You only really need the super-fast 8Mb connections if you are a heavy downloader of films or want to play games online,” he adds.

Finding the right deal

Ms Stanaway advises consumers to use an online comparison service to ensure that they find the right broadband deal. Most of these websites start by asking where you live because some internet service providers (ISPs) do not cover all areas.

You then have to identify roughly how much you use the internet so that the ISP can work out the most suitable connection speed. It then shows the best prices for your circumstances. The website uSwitch.com has a useful feature that allows its users to compare ISPs by their customer satisfaction ratings. PlusNet has the highest rating at 92 per cent while NTL and BT have the lowest at 81 per cent and 82 per cent respectively.

Bundling TV and phone

Adding your phone service and/or TV to the package can also help you to get the best deal. Ms Stanaway says that consumers buying packaged deals should not only look at the headline cost but also consider whether each element is appropriate. “Heavy internet users might find that bundled phone and broadband deals have a cap on monthly downloads,” she says. “If each part of the deal is what you need, it can save you money, but if not, it may be better to buy each service separately.”

Hidden costs

Ms Stanaway also warns consumers to watch for hidden costs. “Some broadband providers charge connection fees, while others cap the amount that you can download. If you go over the limit, you will have to pay extra. It is also worth considering the cost of the technical helpline, particularly if you are a beginner. Some companies charge as much as 50p a minute, which can quickly add up if something goes wrong.”

Mr Williams says that some of the cheaper deals have long contracts and high cancellation fees.If you buy cable or satellite broadband, the provider will install it for you. If you go for an ADSL connection, most ISPs will send you a modem to plug into your computer and phone line. They will also send you a software CD to install on your computer.

Jargon buster

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). This is a type of technology that allows you to connect to the internet. It splits your normal home telephone line into two signals, allowing you to use the telephone and browse the internet at the same time.

Broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA). Broadband is available in some areas over wireless networks, often via an aerial fixed to the roof of your house or premises.

Broadband modem. A modem is a device that converts analogue signals into digital signals and vice versa. A broadband modem is capable of higher speeds than modems for standard dial-up connections. Most broadband service providers include a broadband modem in their initial set-up package.

Cable connection. Another way to connect to the internet. This service is offered by companies such as NTL and Telewest, but if you can’t get cable TV in your area, you will not be able to access cable broadband.

Internet service provider (ISP). This is a company that sells access to the internet.

Megabits (Mb). The speed at which internet access is measured. A traditional dial-up connection downloads web pages at a rate of 56 kilobits (56k) a second. There are 1,000k in a megabit (1Mb), so a 2Mb connection is almost 40 times faster than dial-up. There are 1,000Mb in a gigabit.

Micro-filters. Small devices that must be attached to your phone sockets so that the ADSL signal does not interfere with telephone calls.

Satellite connection. This is available throughout the UK but requires a special satellite dish to be installed.

Streaming. Sounds or videos that “stream” to your computer fast enough so that it can be played as soon as you start downloading.

Usage/download caps. Some broadband deals cap the amount of data that you can download. A 1Gb limit would allow you to download about 10,500 pages or about 205 songs, according to broadband.co.uk, the online comparison service.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Technology that allows broadband users to make telephone calls over the internet.

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