Essential Equipment
When you buy broadband you’ll need a number of pieces
of equipment in order to get connected.
Computer
You will of course need a desktop computer or laptop.
If you’ve got an old computer it may struggle, so getting
broadband can be a good excuse to upgrade. You’ll need a
PC with at least this specification:
Pentium II or higher
32 MB of RAM memory
CD-ROM drive
At least one USB port
50MB of spare disc space
Windows 98 software or higher
Action 1
Check if your existing computer meets these requirements
by going to Start, Control Panel, Performance and
Maintenance then System.
A Phone or Cable Line
If you opt for a cable service, the line will be fed straight
into your home. If you have a cable TV or phone you’ll
already have the line connected. If you choose ADSL,
check that the company that provides your phone service
is compatible with broadband. Standard British Telecom
phone lines are compatible if broadband is available in
your area.
Modem
A modem converts information that is sent or received by
your computer from your phone line. You’ll need a special
high speed modem for broadband. Many providers will give you one for free when you sign up. Most connect to
the USB socket on your computer.
Action 2
Check the back of your computer to see if you have at least
one USB socket. All modern computers do; it is either a
thin oblong socket about half an inch wide or square in a
similar shape to the outline of a house. If not you’ll need to
buy a USB expansion card from your local computer store.
Alternatively if you have an Ethernet socket (which looks
like a normal telephone socket) you can buy an Ethernet
compatible modem.
Microfi lters
You’ll only need microfilters if you choose ADSL.
Microfilters are small connectors that plug in to each
of the normal phone sockets in your house (Fig. 5).
The filter splits your phone line to allow it to accept
both normal telephone calls and
broadband Internet. You can
only have up to four telephones
plus broadband in your
home at any one time.
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