Broadband connections can be provided by 4 main access mechanisms- ADSL, cable and WI-FI (wireless) and GSM (mobile phones).

Which one you use depends on:

• Your Requirements

• Your Location

• Costs

Broadband access can be provided by several access mechanisms:

• DSL/ADSL (digital subscriber line)
• Cable Internet
• Wireless Internet
• GSM (mobile phones)
• Satellite Internet
• Electric power lines- are also being considered for providing broadband internet access.

Although cable and DSL are broadband technologies DSL/ADSL is the more common, as it is carried over the standard telephone lines.

ADSL/DSL Broadband

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)/Broadband comes in two forms:

• Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), - provides different upload and download speeds (most common)
• Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL)-  provides the same speed in both directions

Monthly Cost: Starts at approx. £13-£30  for ADSL per month 
Speed: 128Kbps - 1Mbps
Hardware Requirements: ADSL modem  (often included). If you want to connect multiple computers: one ADSL router (approx. £50-£200 if note included)

Suitability

ADSL is suitable for very heavy Internet users and multiple computers (small office or home network). If you regularly download or upload large files like music, video or pictures then this type of connection is the one you need. See ADSL Broadband Internet

Wireless Broadband

Wireless broadband is of interest for mobile users. The wireless technology used is the same as is used in home wireless networking and hence if you have laptop/pda is equipped for connection to a home or office wireless network then it will also work on a public wireless network.

Monthly Cost: Often free and provided bundled by some ADSL broadband packages-See BT broadband review
Speed: 1-54 Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Wireless (Wi-FI) equipped laptop/PDA.

Suitability

Wireless broadband is suitable for mobile users. It has similar speeds to DSL and so is also suitable for very heavy Internet users and multiple computers (small office or home network). If you regularly download or upload large files like music, video or pictures then this type of connection is the one you need.

See Wireless Internet for more details.

Cable Broadband

Cable connects you to the Internet through a coaxial cable usually using  the same line as your TV service. Cable connections offer very high connection speeds, 1 to 4 Mbps, but the connection may be shared with other users. This means that you can experience much slower speeds  due to congestion. 

Monthly Cost: £14-£50 per month 
Speed: 500 Kbps to 2 Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Cable Modem (Usually included). If you have multiple computers then you might need cable router to share connection.

Suitability

For very heavy Internet users and multiple computers (small office or home network). If you regularly download or upload large files like music, video or pictures then this type of connection is the one you need. You obviously need a cable connection in the first place.

Mobile Phone Internet (3G)

 There are two main mechanism used. One uses a Internet capable mobile phone like the iphone the other uses a USB dongle (3G modem) and a laptop.

Monthly Cost: Varies considerably pay as you options are available
Speed: .6 Kbps to 7.2 Mbps
Hardware Requirements: 3G capable Mobile Phone, or USB dongle and package

See Mobile Internet for more details

Speed Testing

Many broadband sites offer a speed testing facility were you can test your Internet speed. It should be noted that regardless of how fast your connection speed is you will always be restricted by the overall speed on the Internet.