You want broadband. You can't get cable via NTL or Telewest, now known as Virgin Media. So you have to get your broadband over your telephone line. Picking your provider is hard enough with 'Special' terms and conditions, as well as pricing and contract length. But the one thing you wont really know is what speed you will get once its all up and running.
Of course you might be given a rough idea of what you could get, or you might just be told "Up to 8Mb" or "Up to 24Mb", but why can't they give you a definite answer.
Well its all down to a number of factors, the main one being the length of your line from your local exchange. The further you are the lower your connection speed is going to be. If your with BT at the moment you can check your predicted connection speed at http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php .
People who live close to the exchange will more likely get a faster connection than someone living a few miles away. Although this is still not always the case, as it does also depend on how the cables are routed to your home.
Why mention Virgin Media? Surely they cant guarantee speeds. Well again, they won't commit for definite, but your more likely to get connected at the speed your paying for. The reason for this is down to the fiber optic cables they use to your nearest junction box. After this it is coax cable to your door.
So before you choose your provider it might be worth checking to see what speed you might actually get, then decide on what service provider is best for you. There's no point in going for an ISP offering Up To 24Mb at £25 a month, when no matter who you go with your only likely to get 2 or 3Mb maximum.
I hope this helps a few people out there.