There’s a lot of jargon bandied around when it comes to broadband. And unless you know what all the tech-speak actually means, it can be hard to know if you're getting a service that's right for you.
ADSL is the most common type of connection available in the UK, so it's a good place to start learning about broadband.
ADSL stands for:
Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
ADSL broadband is a broadband connection which runs through the copper wires of a phone line. If you're unhappy with your broadband speed and you're on ADSL, you might be able to get a better deal on a faster service. Compare all home broadband deals here.
When ADSL broadband is installed, a microfilter is plugged into your phone connection which separates the frequency of your phone line from that of your broadband connection. It is this that allows you to browse the internet while chatting on the phone.
An ADSL broadband connection comes through the BT phone line network, direct to your house. All the technology is already in place, so connecting is really simple and the service is available across the country.
Enter your postcode into the postcode checker on our home page to see what packages are available in your area
Because the majority of internet service providers operate an ADSL broadband service, there's strong competition for business. This has resulted in low prices and great new deals appearing every month.
ADSL broadband allows users to get average broadband speeds of around 10Mbps. You can find out more about fast ADSL broadband and compare all fast broadband deals here.
If cost is your main concern, then ADSL broadband providers such as TalkTalk and BT offer packages at very keen price points. If you’re a frequent user and want to make more of the internet, you're advised to pay more attention to the speedy connections with unlimited download allowances that some providers offer.
Compare cheap ADSL broadband deals or cheap fibre broadband deals on our cheap broadband site.
Want to find out more about ADSL broadband? See our "What is ADSL broadband?" guide.
If you want some help deciding which broadband package is best for you, you can weigh up the advantages of a home ADSL broadband connection against those of mobile broadband by reading our home vs mobile broadband guide.
Think you want a faster cable broadband package? Check out fibre-optic broadband packages at our dedicated page.
Enter your UK postcode to check which home broadband deals are available in your area:
Our UK based call centre staff can provide expert help to find a deal that matches your needs.