Question: broadband access - do i need to have a standard modem installed first? 

Answer: NO.\nWhen you sign up for an account most will provide you free of charge (Except for the Ts&Cs clauses with regards to cancelation) a USB ADSL or Cable modem for connection to the broadband service.\nIf possible though, get a broadband router. This connects to your PC via a lan port (RJ45 socket) so you will need to make sure your PC has one and it has a built in broadband (ADSL or Cable) modem.\nWhy is this better ? Because it should have a built in firewall. This will mean you won't have to worry about installing one on each device you connect up and it frees resources on the PC.
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