I've had work or free access (via free wifi) to internet for many years so know nothing about current options. Last time I set something up was 2001 which was a Blueyonder connection delivered over a standard telephone line. I've searched online, but most stuff confounds technical with marketing info: I understand the technical but not marketing talk, so it's hard to get some facts straight.
Have I got the following correct? And if so, are there any recommendations for good low cost options. Thanks heaps.
1. With the exception of Virgin Media most providers, whether fibreoptic or whatever, use those technologies only to get the signal to your street. They then use a conventional telephone cable to get the signal into your home. Virgin, have a propriety coax that pipes all the way to your room. (True/False?)
This implies you need a telephone line to get any internet other than Virgin. Do you need to pay for a BT telephone line or something (I don't have any telephone) AND THEN pay for some internet provider on top? Or does the internet provider sell you a telephone line to your house as well? (They seem to include line rental so I assume so, but it is not clear what that really means).
I'm not even sure there is a wire telephone line to this flat. There was a Virgin Coax type line 10 years ago when we moved in. We've never used a conventional telephone. There is one socket on one wall, but who knows where that goes.
2. Are these 10-11Mbs connections really worth it these days? And is that what many people have? Given that these are mean values, wouldn't the rate will often be about half that. It seems you can get twice that rate for just a few pounds more per month.
I would only need one computer access at any one time, and would use it for browsing and downloading/viewing the latest Adam Ondra "Road to Tokyo" video or whatever. Although probably realistically could need up to 2 hours of video watching per day, via youtube or whatever (HD 720p is OK no need for 4K stuff). No gaming.
It would be good to limit costs to about £20-£25/month.
(BTW my wifi tells me people use Virgin, BT, Skye, TalkTalk, PlusNet, EE, SSE in my street so I presume I have lots of options available.)
Sorry for the dumb questions. Any help or recommendations appreciated.