Beginner's broadband

To all intents and purposes, broadband is a high-speed internet connection, provided either at home or through your mobile. There are three different types - cable broadband (fibre-optic), mobile broadband (3G mobile phone signal) and ADSL broadband (telephone line).

Broadband is a very competitive market, so it's unsurprising that the main factors that sway people's decisions are speed, price and reliability.

Speed

The speed of your internet connection determines how much data can be sent or received. In real terms, this is stuff like displaying web pages, sending emails or watching videos online. The faster the connection, the more you can do at once. The speed of your connection depends on two key factors:

• Where you live. Urban areas generally have faster broadband speeds. Additionally, the distance of your house from the telephone exchange has a bearing on the speed that you can expect. Use our broadband postcode checker to find the fastest broadband in your area.

• The type of connection you have. Mobile broadband is quick, ADSL broadband is up to 5 times quicker, and cable is up to 4 times quicker again. Different internet service providers (ISPs) have different options on offer depending on the connection type.

Test the speed of your current internet connection with our broadband speed test and see how you compare to other people in your area.

Price

ADSL broadband requires a home phone line, so even with the cheapest package there is an extra £12 or so per month to pay in BT line rental. Despite this, ADSL remains the cheapest type of connection available. Compare our best-selling ADSL broadband deals at uSwitch now.

3G requires no landline, but because it runs over mobile networks the monthly data allowances are a lot lower. This means a higher charge if you go over your allowance, and some very high charges for using the internet abroad. Compare 3G mobile broadband deals at uSwitch now.

Cable is the most expensive, but has no hidden costs or data charges and requires no landline. Compare uSwitch's best cable broadband deals now.

Reliability

ADSL will work as long as the telephone line works and you pay your bill. If there is a problem, however, then you may have to wait a while for it to be fixed, as you will have to deal with BT, BT OpenReach and your internet provider. This can take days.

The main problem with ADSL is that the quality of line and the distance you live from your phone exchange have massive effects on your connection and speed - not a problem in cities, but if you live in the country it can affect you quite badly.

A 3G connection is as reliable as a mobile phone - on the whole very good, but at peak times and in certain areas you will notice a drop in signal.

Cable broadband is the most reliable connection type. It usually connects to the BT cabinet in the street outside your home, thus the amount of copper BT wiring is greatly reduced. Providers will have their own support and technicians, so fault-handling times will also be reduced.

When it comes to assessing the reliability of broadband providers, personal recommendations are always worth listening to. At uSwitch we try to give an overview of the broadband market rather than pushing people down a particular route, however on our broadband provider pages we display customer reviews, awards and comments. Visit our [broadband provider page] and see what people are saying about your provider.

Other considerations

• Contract length. Do you fear commitment? Click here to find short contract broadband.

• Download allowance. Spend all your time downloading movies and music? Consider the following heavy-use broadband packages.

• Bundling options. Want more than just broadband? Click here for the best broadband bundles.

• Broadband on the move. Do you want to access the internet on your laptop while you're out and about? Click here for mobile broadband packages.