Finding the fast lane of the superhighway.(Features)

On this week's Agon-e Aunt panel are TMB-accredited ICT and business advisors Sue Groves-Phillips (Ceredigion), Steward Giles (Newport) and Kevin Stephens (Powys)

Dear Agon-e Aunt, Our company conducts significant amounts of business over the internet - but is struggling due to the lack of broadband availability within its exchange. With ISDN costs being prohibitive this is holding back the company's growth. Any suggestions?

C Fountain, Raglan

Kevin Stephens: Well the good news is that the broadband situation is improving significantly. According to BT statistics about 70% of homes and businesses are within reach of ADSL. However that's not much use to you if your exchange is not yet enabled.

Sue Groves-Phillips: Satellite broadband is available in all parts of Wales. You may wish to consider the WDA Satellite Broadband subsidy that gives a small business a grant towards installation and running costs for the first year of use.

Your local ICT centre or Business Eye Centre will be able to give you more information.

Satellite Broadband is available in two types: Two-way, where you upload and download via the satellite, or one-way (download only). One-way is cheaper, but it depends on how you will be using the internet as to whether download only would be sufficient.

Steward Giles: Some providers sell fixed-cost solutions using ISDN, with no call charges built in. ISDN could also be dual bonded (128k) for faster connectivity and twice the throughput. If you want more you can run more. It goes up in twos, so 2, 4, 8 or 12 ISDN connections can be used.

So, ISDN need not be prohibitive as long you ask your telecoms provider the right question: 'Can I have a fixed cost ISDN solution which is not dependant on the amount of data downloaded, nor incurs telephone charges while I'm connected?'

Kevin Stephens: If you're in a reasonably built-up area then you need to check out if there is any access to broadband via a cable provider. Also check to see if there are any wireless broadband connections available.

Sue Groves-Phillips:

The web site www.ispreview.co.uk gives a price and service comparison for anytime '24/7' internet service providers (ISPs), and as Steward points out you can use dual ISDN at 128kbs with some of these services. This might both speed up and cost reduce your ISDN connection.

Do you have an IT problem in your business? If so, contact the Agon-e Aunt by emailing enquiries@atebcymruwales.co.uk TMB (Technology Means Business) is the only recognised UK accreditation that combines business know-how with ICT expertise. Delivered in Wales by @TEB and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, WDA, BT, ELWa and University of Glamorgan, for more information visit www.atebcymruwales.co.uk