What is Broadband:

The Technical Answer:

Broadband communication is usually defined as an Internet connection that has a minimum bandwidth of 512Kbps (kilobits per second) which will mean that your connection can work typically 10 to 40 times faster than a normal dial-up modem.

The Plain Answer:

There are 3 main benefits to you:

• It's always on - if your PC is on you have access to the internet - so no waiting.
• It's very, very fast - web pages zoom and you can download music and video at amazing speed.
• It doesn't block your phone line - so there are no complaints from family and friends that they can't get you (this is a benefit!).

Can I get Broadband?

To enable an exchange for its high speed internet service ('ADSL'), BT sets trigger levels (if you're lucky) for the number of registrations of interest they require. Once the trigger level is reached they will schedule the work to upgrade the exchange and install ADSL. These trigger levels are typically for hundreds of registrations, which is beyond the reach of many communities.

Even if a community achieves the BT trigger level, many of those who have registered will discover that they are unable to get ADSL, either because they are too far from the exchange, their wiring is not good enough, or some other technical reason rules them out. However, in spite of what you might think from the huge advertising campaigns, broadband does not necessarily involve BT, and there are other options available.

Broadband is available anywhere in the country; satellite broadband has national coverage. One of the downsides to satellite broadband is the high cost - it is usually out of the reach of most households and small businesses. Or is it?

It is possible to share a broadband connection out to other members of the community, thus sharing the costs and making affordable broadband a real possibility. The way to do this is by creating a wireless 'mesh' network which allows the broadband "backhaul" (the high speed connection to the internet) to be offered to subscribers using inexpensive WiFi equipment which is readily available.

This is exactly what we are doing with PateleyNet .