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Think outside the box
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New ways to use your broadband
So you finally have your broadband connection up and running, allowing you speedy internet access but are you making the best use if your bandwidth?
Read on to discover new uses for your broadband connection, and current developments that could revolutionise the way you use the internet in the future.
TV over broadband
Video on demand is much like having a video recorder built into your PC or TV. Most leading broadcasters offer a VoD service, including Sky Broadband's (www.Sky.com) Sky Anytime, the BBC’s iPlayer and Channel Four’s 4oD services.
VoD provides you with the ability to download specific and desired content to your TV (via a set-top box) or PC, and watch those programmes whenever you want. VoD can be paused, forwarded, rewound & stored, much like a home video or DVD.
Telephone over broadband
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), allows you to make phone calls over the internet, and can provide a simple solution to adding another phone line to a home or office. VoIP systems also include the ability to incorporate three way calling, call forwarding, automatic redial and caller ID, like most standard modern phones.
A VoIP phone will work from anywhere with a sufficiently fast and stable internet connection, thus granting the user extensive location independence. VoIP programs such as Skype allow customers to make calls to other Skype users free of charge, and also to other landlines and mobiles for a fee. Skype also has the capacity for video-conferencing, and supports high quality video found in most mid-range video conferencing systems.
However, the quality of telephone over broadband is sometimes questionable. Drawbacks include sudden dropouts in connectivity and limited capabilities when trying to connect with emergency services.
For more information read our guide to making internet phone calls
Mobile broadband and static IP addresses
Mobile broadband is a type of wireless internet access that enables users to download data at theoretical speeds of up to 7.2Mb. This means that mobile operators can now provide mobile broadband services that have the ability to provide an office broadband experience remotely and on the move. Rather than spending time looking for hotspots, mobile broadband allows users to connect from almost anywhere, making mobile enterprise business solutions possible. All major mobile operators now offer mobile broadband packages.
Static IP addresses allow remote access to your PC, meaning that you can access your PC no matter where you are in the world. Further advantages include the ease with which you can run a website, FTP server or gaming server, plus a reduced risk of suffering downtime from the server. Click here for a comprehensive guide to static IP addresses.
Broadband for children
High speed internet access supports high definition 3-D graphics, full-motion video streaming and advanced digital audio, making it a great tool for children to learn from and work with. Educational and project based sites for kids include Homework Centre, Fun Brain, Kid's Stuff and Allcrafts.
Online security is an obvious concern for parents. However, your child’s safety can be safeguarded at little or no cost by employing filtering systems such as Surfcontrol or Cybersitter, and by making sure that your child stays vigilant when surfing the net.
Home security
BT Broadband (www.BT.com) offers a home security system that provides users with an “off the shelf” monitoring service powered by broadband technology. With remote programming available through the system’s easy to use web portal, home security can now be provided (and monitored by the homeowner themselves) at a lower cost than traditional (and somewhat clunky) alarm systems. Motion sensor cameras fitted within your home will send pictures to a PC or mobile device when any movement is detected, immediately alerting you to any unwanted intruders.
Multi player online gaming
For those that have a passion for gaming, a broadband connection can provide an opportunity to play against anyone in the world (known as “networked gaming”). The Nintendo Wii, XBox 360 and Sony Playstation 3 consoles all allow for network gaming, as does your PC and various mobile phone packages. Networked gaming can comprise anything from teaming up to fight evil in games such as Doom, to creating an online world with other residents in digital environments like Second Life. Online communities are nurtured through multi-player gaming, linking like-minded people throughout the globe.
Click here to compare broadband packages by monthly and yearly cost, get more information on ISPs and packages, and switch.
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