How To Avoid Slow Internet: Choosing The Right Option For You

Frustrated by Slow Internet? Get the Fastest Speeds for Your Needs

Slow internet speeds and interminable buffering are enough to drive you crazy. Having a reliable internet connection is essential for both personal and professional tasks. However, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging, with various internet options available. Understanding the different types of internet services and their benefits, including contention ratio, can help you make an informed decision. Let’s explore the various internet services and what sets them apart.

1. ADSL/ADSL2 (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

ADSL uses existing telephone lines to transmit digital data. ADSL2 is an improved version of ADSL, offering faster speeds and better performance. Benefits include:

Cost-effective: ADSL is often more affordable compared to other high-speed internet options, with ADSL 2 offering faster speeds without a significant increase in cost.
Availability: Widely available, especially in areas where fibre optic internet is not accessible.
Reliable: Provides a stable connection for browsing, streaming, and downloading.
Contention Ratio: Typically has higher contention ratios, meaning the bandwidth is shared with other users, which may lead to slower speeds during peak times.

2. SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access)

SoGEA is a standalone broadband service that delivers internet over a traditional copper line without the need for a landline phone service. Its benefits include:

Fast Speeds: Offers fast and reliable internet access suitable for streaming, gaming, and downloading large files.
Cost-effective: Offers high-speed internet without the need for a landline phone service.
Contention Ratio: SoGEA typically has lower contention ratios than ADSL and ADSL2, resulting in more consistent speeds during peak times.

3. GEA (Generic Ethernet Access)

GEA delivers high-speed internet access over a traditional phone line without the need for a landline phone service. Its benefits include:

Fast and Reliable: Offers fast and reliable internet access for all your online activities.
Cost-effective: Offers high-speed internet without the need for a landline phone service.
Contention Ratio: GEA has no contention ratio, which means the service is dedicated to your premises. This naturally results in more consistent speeds during peak times.

4. FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)

FTTP delivers fibre optic internet directly to your premises, providing the fastest and most reliable internet connection. Its benefits include:

Blazing Fast Speeds: The fastest internet speeds available. Ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks like streaming 4K videos and online gaming.
Reliability: Less susceptible to interference and outages caused by weather or electrical issues.
Contention Ratio: Generally has lower contention ratios than ADSL and ADSL2, resulting in more consistent speeds during peak times.

5. Leased Line (Dedicated Fibre)

Dedicated fibre internet provides a dedicated fibre optic connection directly to your premises, ensuring maximum speed and reliability. Its benefits include:

Unmatched Speed and Reliability: Offers the fastest and most reliable internet connection available.
Symmetrical Speeds: Provides equally fast upload and download speeds, essential for video conferencing and cloud storage.
Scalability: Easily scalable to meet the growing needs of your business.
Contention Ratio: Leased Line has no contention ratio, meaning the service is dedicated to your premises. This naturally results in more consistent speeds during peak times.

6. Wireless Point-to-Point

Wireless Point-to-Point internet uses radio waves to provide high-speed internet access over a wireless connection. Its benefits include:

High-Speed Connectivity: Offers fast and reliable internet access.
Quick Installation: Installation is quick and easy, with no need for laying cables.
Scalability: Easily scalable to meet the growing needs of your business.
Contention Ratio: Contention ratios may vary depending on the provider, but generally, wireless Point-to-Point connections offer consistent speeds even during peak times and are available with no contention.

7. Satellite

As the name suggests, satellite internet services use a satellite or satellite cluster to provide internet services to a premises. Here are some of its benefits:

Cost-effective: Satellite is often more affordable compared to other high-speed internet options.
Availability: Widely available, especially in areas where neither copper nor fibre optic internet is not accessible.
Reliable: Provides a stable connection for browsing, streaming, and downloading.
Contention Ratio: Typically has higher contention ratios, meaning the bandwidth is shared with other users, which may lead to slower speeds during peak times but can also be provided with a low contention ratio.

Choosing the right internet service for your needs depends on various factors such as speed, reliability, availability, and budget. Understanding contention ratio is also crucial as it affects the consistency of your internet speeds, especially during peak times. Whether you’re a casual internet user, a hardcore gamer, or a remote worker, there’s an internet service that’s perfect for you. By understanding the different types of internet services and their benefits, you can make an informed decision and enjoy a seamless online experience.

PC Man is a boutique internet solutions provider. We deliver high-speed internet connections to support your home or business network, WiFi system, and streaming services. If you would like to turn up the speed on your internet service and aren’t sure which option is right for you, give us a call on 020 3369 0669 or email info@ilovepcman.com.