Recent years have seen our internet and broadband options change pretty rapidly – we have gone from the old dial-up connection through to super-high-speed broadband accessed via our landline or cable. In addition to fixed lines, we can now access mobile broadband too. However, not everyone is able to access all of these services as it often depends on where you live and what type of property you live in.

House broadband options (detached/semi-detached/terraced)

If you live in a house your broadband options are usually wide open because all types of broadband can be installed.

As of December 2010 the UK had almost 19.6 million fixed-line broadband connections making this the most common form of broadband in the country, although other technologies are growing in popularity.

If you get cable broadband, you don’t necessarily need to have a phone line (although for a bit of extra money you should be able to get a heavily-subsidised phone deal with a broadband service as part of a ‘bundle’).

If you live in a house and need a phone line to have broadband it is relatively straightforward to have a line installed, although it could cost you up to £130.

Once you have (or don’t have, whatever the case may be) a telephone line, you will need to get a broadband package from an internet service provider. It is important that you shop around and compare broadband packages as they can vary by quite a lot depending on the bundle you require.

Flat/apartment broadband options

Flats and apartments have similar access to broadband services as a house – it’s only dependent on the area that you live in.

Flats are not restricted to fixed line broadband; cable is also a possibility, even in a high rise.  Access to cable broadband is more common in urban areas as it currently only covers around 51% of the UK.

Although coverage is limited, cable broadband is able to deliver much faster speeds than ASDL (through a phone line) broadband so it might be worth visiting Virgin’s cable broadband post code tool to see if you live in a cabled area.

Houseboat broadband options

Living on a houseboat in the UK is not that uncommon due the canals that pattern our landscape, in fact, around 15,000 people live on the water across the country.

Obviously, your broadband options are more limited on a houseboat because it is impossible to get access to cable or fixed line broadband on the boat itself, however there are some alternative options available to you. One of the most popular ways to access the internet onboard a houseboat is via wireless broadband. You will find that many marinas and docks have a Wi-Fi hotspot, meaning that as long as you have access to a computer with a Wi-Fi connection, you can get online.

This could restrict your access because you might find that you are out of range or your marina does not provide the service. In this case, the best way to get online would be via an internet dongle, or mobile broadband. These rely on 3G connections, which operators claim to cover 90% of the UK, but due to the rural areas a houseboat is likely to travel in, Mi-Fi (which uses the 3G network) could potentially be a better investment.

Mi-Fi is basically a mobile broadband modem allowing you to create your own wireless broadband ‘hotspot’ wherever you go. Having access to Mi-Fi on board a houseboat would allow you to surf the web whenever you please.

Remember to compare broadband packages before committing to a long term contract, whatever type of broadband you decide is most suitable for you and the type of property you live in.

Problems and other types of broadband

We know that houses have many broadband options open to them, but the availability of fixed line broadband services will depend on where you live. According to Ofcom, in May 2011 more than 75% of residential broadband connections in the UK were delivered by ADSL, meaning that you could be in an area where there is no broadband connection, known as a ‘not-spot’.

In this case you would have to seek alternative solutions, such as Mi-Fi. There are a couple of other alternative ways to access the internet when ADSL and cable broadband is not an option: satellite internet and fixed wireless broadband.

Satellite broadband

Satellite broadband connects to a network via a satellite, just like satellite TV. This means that you would have a satellite dish installed, either by the provider or an independent dealer. Satellite internet isn’t very popular because of the relatively high costs involved in the initial set up and the monthly fees. You can expect to pay around £200 for the installation package and around £30 per month for your data  but this again will depend on the provider. Just as with any other type of internet, remember to compare broadband packages to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal.

Fixed wireless broadband

Fixed wireless broadband works in the same way as any other wireless broadband, although it is fixed to a specific location known as a ground station or transmission tower. The speeds available are not as good as other internet connections but it is an ideal solution for people struggling to find a connection via the more popular methods. A major limitation is that the ground station needs to be within the line of sight of the subscriber.

Summary

• Houses and flats have all broadband options open to them but what you can access will be dependent on the area you live in.
• Houseboats and other alternative dwellings are probably better finding broadband access via Mi-Fi, satellite internet, fixed wireless, or Wi-Fi connection.