Contention

This refers to the maximum number of users sharing the bandwidth on a connection between your local exchange and the ISP. A customer with a contention ratio of 50:1 never has to share this bandwidth with more than 50 other users.

This is unlikely to be an important factor for most residential consumers; however some ISP’s have a tendency to oversubscribe exchanges resulting in congestion and slower speeds. Each ISP is unique in its allowance for any given area; hence why swapping to another provider can often resolve such problems.

Hardware

Unfortunately ISP’s don’t use identical hardware, consequently each product can vary in design and complexity to such a degree that it becomes difficult to form a singular description. However most ‘residential’ providers tend to supply, be it free or at extra cost, options based on the following hardware types:

- USB ADSL Modem

This is the most basic and common form of hardware used to connect onto a broadband ADSL ISP’s network. Put simply, it’s a small box with two connectors on the back (three if external power is required), one to connect with your PC (USB port) and the other leading to your phone line.

[Example pic of USB ADSL Modem]

- USB/Wireless ADSL Router Modem

Router’s, when combined with ADSL modem technology, produce a device similar to the above USB modem, the difference being that they’re designed to help spread a single connection between more than one PC. Typically having some knowledge of home networking is beneficial here, otherwise it could appear daunting.

Many modern routers also come with built-in wireless technology, allowing the adaptor to be sat next to your phone line without having to spread wires all over the room. They can also include internal firewalls, which monitor the connection and help to keep it extra secure from hackers.

[Example pic of USB/Wireless ADSL Router Modem]

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