TV and Internet services – olvasmány szószedettel

TV and internet services

Television and high-speed internet have become a necessity for many people in the 21^st century. Television is not only a form of entertainment but also a source of information for a significant number of the population, and is especially helpful for the elderly, who often have trouble reading newspapers. In the developed world the internet has taken over the role of television as a source of information for the younger generations, while providing entertainment as well. The main advantage of having an internet connection during your stay abroad is, on the one hand, the possibility to communicate with friends and family at no additional costs, and on the other hand, access to on-line banking and other services.

Cable TV subscription

You can typically order cable television subscription from various providers, after checking their offers and packages. Most cable providers take orders by phone on a toll-free number and send the set-top box via post to your home for self-installation, along with the contract to be signed and returned. If your home has a cable TV socket available, there is no need to send a technician as setting up cable TV is quite simple nowadays and the service is switched on remotely. Make sure you do activate the cable card though, or the set-top box won’t be able to connect to the network. Many shows are subtitled for the hard of hearing, which is also very useful for language learners. You can also improve your English if you pick a service that can record TV shows, so you can replay the parts that are difficult to understand. If you want to cancel your subscription, you can do so by phone, and the set-top box needs to be returned to the provider.

Internet subscription

The two main types of internet are cable internet and DSL (digital subscriber line). Whichever you pick you will need a cable modem or a DSL modem that is plugged into a wall socket. You can either buy one or pick a provider that offers modems for rent or for free, depending on your package. More and more people need wireless internet as well for their tablets or phones, so make sure you discuss the option of getting a Wi-Fi router from your provider. If you would like to use two desktop computers or connect your laptop for a faster connection than through Wi-Fi, an ADSL splitter will sort the problem. Depending on the status of the network, connecting your home to the internet may take days or weeks, which can be frustrating. In such cases the best solution is to buy a USB stick, also called a dongle, which provides broadband internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.