Some types of UK broadband access is not available in all areas. Once a person figures out what their options are they can then begin to look into the different types of broadband service available.

One of the most popular types is ADSL or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. It is available to most of the UK and usually the broadband type of choice. ADSL is delivered through telephone lines and uses a modem or router.

ADSL can use the telephone without interfering with the telephone service, so unlike dial up with ADSL a person can be online an on the phone at the same time. Micro filters are used on the telephone sockets to allow for no telephone service interruption. To get ADSL a person must have a BT telephone line.

Another popular option is cable. This is often a good choice for a person that already has cable television. Cable internet uses a special modem and runs through the cable lines. It does not interfere with the telephone lines, as it does not use them at all.

For areas that can not get ADSL or cable broadband, the choice is often wireless internet. Wireless internet runs off radio signals. As the name suggests, there are no wires involved. Instead, antennas pick up and transmit the signals to provide internet connection.

Satellite is another option that is usually not as popular due to unreliability and cost. However, it is a good choice for those who can not get other types of broadband. It works through a satellite dish much like satellite television.

There is another satellite broadband that works much like ADSL, called SDSL. It runs through the telephone lines, but it does not work off a current telephone line and needs a special dedicated line of its own.

When a person goes to choose their broadband internet service they will usually have more than one option.

Most areas can get two or three different types of service. Once a person figures out the basics of each type of service they can then begin looking at the details to see which is best for them. Usually factors like cost, reliability and speed factor into the decision.

ADSL and cable are the most popular choices because they offer the best reliability, cost and speed. Satellite is the least chosen because it is the most expensive, but does not offer the top speeds of ADSL or cable and can sometimes be unreliable due to weather or other interference with the satellite.