A brief dummies guide to broadband types please :confused:

Framed10

Could some one please explain briefly the different types of broadband out there.

I'm currently using mobile broadband but need to get broadband in my house in Cork as soon as possible in the new year. I'm close to Ballincollig.
I've contacted a few providers and I'm getting more confused by the different lines, lack of lines, alternatives etc they talking about.
I dont know whats the best to go with.
Am I right in saying Fibre options are the fastest?

1. UPC is not in my area
2. Digiweb say that the nearest cabinet to me (eircom) (I think its <500m from me) is full, that there are no ports left ??

So they then tested for their Metro option but there isn't a clear signal from their mast to my house.

Yet they are now offering 'Fast Fibre broadband Home' option with up to 100mb download. They did a test over the phone this morning and say they got 60mbs download and 16-20mbs upload. This requires connection to phone lines in the house.
My question is whats the difference between local cabinet full/no ports left but now them being able to offer up to 100mb fibre option? Do they have different lines to eircom?

3. Eircom I didnt try them due to Digiweb saying say that the nearest cabinet to me is full, no ports left. Am I wasting my time trying Eircom next? I checked my address on their website. resultant message "eir Fibre is available in your area but your address is not yet enabled"

4. Nova say they can offer 7mbs and that I should be able to get a signal from their mast since 2 other houses in my estate have it.

5. Magnet say they cant offer more than 2mb so they won't offer the service.

6. Vodafone I contacted them today and I'm waiting for them to get back to me re whats available at my address. What lines do they use or need to have in order to offer broadband?

7. Sky haven't got to them yet

Any info to differentiate between them would be very grateful.

thanks

ED E

Magnet (And Digiweb VDSL) = Sky = Pure = Vodafone = Eir

Sounds like you've got 2Mb ADSL coverage (on a phone line) but the VDSL cab isnt ready yet (or full, but the eir website should say it IS available if its full).

http://business.digiweb.ie/

Put your landline into there, if you dont have a landline this is all guesswork. If you do, post the info it gives you here.

Framed10

"http://business.digiweb.ie/
Put your landline into there, if you dont have a landline this is all guesswork. If you do, post the info it gives you here"

I'm renting my house, it IS wired for a landline but that hasn't been used for 9-10 years therefore I don't have the number.
Is there any other way to check?

" if you dont have a landline this is all guesswork"
Digiweb were able to "confirm", after doing a check over the phone, with my exact address (with house number) that I can get 60mbs.
Do you think that this is not definite, that they cant be sure from an address check?

ED E

Thats just what the ARD key suggests, but when your line is connected they may find that yes its through that local cabinet and will give 60Mb or it runs past the cab and will only get a few Mb from the exchange a few clicks away.

Have to activate the line to find out for sure.

Nollog

If you have a phone to plug into the socket, dialing 199000 will have a man read your number to you.

Framed10

ED E wrote: »

Have to activate the line to find out for sure.

Sorry silly question but how would I do that?

Ideally I'd like not to sign up for an 18 month contract or so only to find out that speeds 'promised' are not nearly being reached.

On eir Fibre availability checker, I'm getting this reading
"eir Fibre is available in your area but your address is not yet enabled"

Framed10

/\/ollog wrote: »

If you have a phone to plug into the socket, dialing 199000 will have a man read your number to you.

Ok thanks, good to know.
Dont have a phone but might try locate one to check