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Getting a broadband connection for your internet usually implies that you value reliability and the ability to stay permanently connected to the web. AOL Broadband has been doing both for some time now at a fair price. The company's service in the UK is excellent, attracting significant numbers of long-term loyal customers. Broadband offers you faster access to the internet than by dialing up with your phone line, plus it does not tie up your phone line while in use. The exact speed depends on the package that you choose. AOL has three broadband packages: the Silver package (£14.99 per month) has up to 1Mbps download speed, Gold package (£24.99 per month) offers up to 2Mbps, while the Platinum package (£29.99 per month) can be as quick as 8Mbps. While the former is good for anyone interested in browsing, shopping over the internet and similar activities, gaming and downloading movies is better suited to the Platinum package, which is almost 160 times quicker than what dial-up can offer. Since AOL upgrades the packages according to market trends to match competitors, AOL customers are always at the forefront of broadband speeds. With the AOL broadband service , there are no download/upload limitations and you can download an unlimited amount of data instead of having a download/upload limit per month as is common with some services. That in itself gives you the freedom to use the internet for ‘power browsing’, playing online games and, of course, downloading movies and music. And yes, there are plenty of legal ways to do so. Broadband connections give the added advantage of being able to set up home or workplace networks, where all users get fast access to the web. AOL supports home networking, with the Platinum package is especially good for network use. This will provide a fast enough connection to easily accommodate bandwidth-thirsty applications such as video instant messaging. Apart from networking, PlayStation Net and Xbox Live are also well suited to the Platinum package. There are some who believe that AOL's proprietary software is not the best on the market: while this may be true, it is not necessary to use the software to get online with AOL. A strong point of the software is its excellent parental tools to protect children from inappropriate content on the internet. It is well worth setting up an account for any children who access the internet, and AOL's controls help to keep a check on the content your child is viewing. In addition, you can be mailed reports about the sites that have been accessed from any particular account. If you prefer another browser to AOL, you can use the dialer that accompanies the software and bypass the accompanying AOL browser altogether. Unless you want to access AOL content, that option works really well for online gamers and power browsers who prefer Internet Explorer or the many available alternatives. For those who do like the AOL browser, exclusive AOL content is rewarding with specialist ‘Radio@AOL’ playing over a 100 channels to keep you entertained. AOL provides 7 e-mail accounts with your connection, which should cater for all but the most extended of families. While it is possible to use AOL's proprietary email software, Outlook (or any other email client) is fully compatible with the AOL system. The good thing about AOL is the reliability of the service and the comfort of buying into one of best-known names in the business. AOL has been around for many years and knows what it means to keep its customers satisfied. And don’t we just love the free gifts that come with the services? AOL boasts free customer service and tech support while there are no connection charges. Ordering online has incentives in the shape of free connection for a month, plus a free wireless router. And for piece of mind, the AOL security centre is included with all AOL packages, regardless of how you order. Verdict: Providing good value for money, AOL is a reliable broadband internet service that boasts plenty of incentives to keep you browsing.
Staff editor, Broadband Section, January 2007 |
