What is O2 Home Broadband Access?

O2 Home Broadband Access is the broadband package available if you live an in area which has not been unbundled by O2.

When we unbundle a telephone exchange, we place our own broadband equipment in it. This allows us to connect you directly to the O2 Home Broadband network.

However, if your telephone exchange has not yet been unbundled, we have to use the BT network to deliver O2 Home Broadband to you. In these cases, the Access package is the only one available.

O2 Home Broadband Access has a download speed of up to 8 meg.

What is unbundling?

Unbundling means O2 has installed its own broadband equipment into a BT telephone exchange. Once your telephone exchange has been unbundled, we can connect you directly to the O2 Home Broadband network (via your landline) rather than having to rely on BT equipment in the exchange.

This allows us to offer cheaper, faster broadband.

How much is O2 Home Broadband Access?

O2 Home Broadband Access costs £27.50 per month.

If you're an O2 Consumer or Business Pay Monthly mobile customer, or an O2 Pay & Go mobile customer, you can claim a discount of £5 a month - so you only pay £22.50 a month.

In addition there's a £30 connection fee for the Access product.

What speed will I get with O2 Home Broadband Access?

O2 Home Broadband Access has a download speed of up to 8 meg.

Actual download speeds depend on different things, like the distance between your telephone exchange and your home, or the quality of your BT line and O2's Traffic Management Policy for O2 Home Broadband Access. We'll work with what's there and always give you the fastest speed we can, depending on your chosen package. Even then, your broadband speed might vary from time to time. We will always supply you with the highest download speed we can.

Find out more about things that could affect your broadband speed.

Why does O2 Home Broadband Access cost more than the other broadband packages?

O2 Home Broadband Access is available where we have not yet installed our equipment into the local telephone exchange.

It uses the BT network to deliver O2 Home Broadband to your home. It is more expensive than our other packages because we have to rely on BT to provide the connection.

We try to provide the best, most reliable and most competitive broadband service we can - in all areas. Although it is a little more expensive, O2 Home Broadband Access still comes with all the usual O2 Home Broadband extras, including:

• Free UK-based customer service
• O2 wireless box
• McAfee security software
• Enhanced email and messaging services
• O2 contacts

When will my area be unbundled by O2?

If your exchange is due to be unbundled in the near future, our broadband availability checker will let you know. If not, unfortunately we can't guarantee it will be unbundled at a later date.

However, if you purchase O2 Home Broadband Access and your exchange is subsequently unbundled, we'll be in touch to discuss moving you across to a cheaper or faster package.

Do I need to do anything different to use O2 Home Broadband Access?

No. The set up procedure for O2 Home Broadband Access is exactly the same as the set up for all other O2 Home Broadband packages.

O2 Home Broadband Access includes everything you need to get going, including the O2 wireless box, broadband filters and the set up CD.

We will let you know when your landline has been enabled with O2 Home Broadband Access with an email and text message - then you can set up your O2 wireless box.

The package also comes with state-of-the-art security software from computer security experts McAfee. This includes virus and spyware protection, plus spam filters and a firewall, and it's easy to install from the set up CD.

If you need any help placing your order or during the set up process, you can always contact our UK-based customer service team. They're waiting to speak to you.