How fast is your broadband connection?

Tired of your slow, frustrating Internet connection? Wondering why downloads are taking so long, and why you spend more time waiting than watching when you're on a video site such as YouTube?

It could be that your Internet connection is simply slower than need be. Fortunately, there is now a wide variety of options for you to choose from if you want access to a faster net.

You might want to begin your search for broadband services by checking your current Internet speed using online internet connection checkers. The Internet speed checkers will test both your upload and download speeds, and compare them to those offered by other internet services providers.

The most commonly available broadband internet option in Australia is ASDL. This service simply uses an additional phone line to provide data transfer speeds of up to 20,000 kbps, which is approximately 140 times faster than a dial-up connection. DSL uses your existing phone line and reaches similar speeds.

Cable connections, which use currently existing cable TV lines, are very popular in urban areas and achieve speeds ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 kbps. (In most cases, depending somewhat on the provider, you simply pay more for a faster connection).

If you travel frequently, you might want to consider the increasingly popular wireless broadband options, which enable you to connected to the Internet from virtually anywhere in Australia. Wireless broadband is typically slower than wired services -- speeds range from 512 kbps to 3600 kbps -- but is comparable in price, and of course offers a convenience which is desirable for some.

Mobile broadband also enables you to connect to the Internet wirelessly, and provides speeds similar to those of wireless broadband. Mobile broadband presents some advantages, but usually requires individuals to add a network card or USB modem to their existing computer, if this capability is not already built in.

For those who live in Australia's most rural areas, satellite broadband is an attractive alternative to dial-up connections. It requires a small satellite dish that's specially equipped to receive Internet signals (many dishes now perform dual-service, receiving both television and Internet signals simultaneously).

Your first point of call should be to check your current internet speed using online internet speed checkers. From there you'll be able to not only determine which broadband connection options will best meet your needs, but also find out the details of internet service providers across Australia that can help you get a faster internet connection.