Firstly there are 2 different types of Internet, they are called ADSL and DSL (Known as cable). ADSL is recieved via a telephone line, like BT, bulldog, wannadoo and so forth. DSL is received via cable (doesnt come on a BT phone line), from companies like NTL and Telewest. In your area i imagine you can only get Cable from NTL so that limits things on that side a bit.
NTL do have rubbish customer support but if the internet connection works good then it works well. I was with them for a year last year and had no problems. Have switched to bulldog this year, but had a few diffculties with them.
So now youve decided which route to go down, u need to decide what ISP (internet Service Provider) you wish to sign up with.
If you decide to go down the ADSL route, then you will need a BT phone line (i am assuming you allready have one as you have internet at the moment and do not have NTL), there are many many companies out there offering lots of different packages, so you have to ask yourself what do you want from you internet? Do you want to be able to download lots or do you just want to surf the web and check emails.
One company i would throughly reccommend are Newnet
http://www.newnet.co.uk who are based in fareham. They have very cheap packages for normal users and have excellent support. Details here on their services:
http://www.newnet.co.uk/broadband/home.php . You will be looking at the "home Lite" package or the "Home S" package.
If you want to go down the Cable route then your only option is NTL if you street is cabled (as telewest dont operate in this area), if it isnt then you have to go with the ADSL route.
Now you have chosen you ISP and what service you want to get you need to decide on what equipment you wish to run at your house. You have said that you wish to run Wireless Internet, that is not a problem and is very easy to set up.
So if you have chosen to go down the ADSL route then you will need an ADSL Modem/Wireless router. I always buy Linksys Networking hardware now and they are soo good, and I have never had a fault with them. Also they are very easy to set up.
So for an ADSL Modem/Wireless Router I would suggest the Linksys WAG54G-UK. More info here:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=59951 . That will allow you to use wireless Internet throughout the house (Depending on size) and also will allow you o use wires to computers if you wish.
If you go down the Cable route then you will get a modem supplied by NTL and you have to use this. Then you can get a Wireless Router just like the previous one but a little different to plug into the supplied modem to distribute the internet connection. For this i would again suggest Linksys and would suggest the Linksys WRT54GS-UK More info here:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=63763 . I use this piece of kit and it is fantastic, very easy to set up and very easy to manage.
So we now have your internet service provider sorted and your Wireless modem/Router. Now you have said that you need some network cards for 2 of the laptops. One again Linksys is my choice and the following ones would be ideal: WPC54G-UK More info here:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=45024 .
There it is and a complete set up from start to finish. One point on wireless internet is that when you come to set up the router you will need to enable security so that other people cant use your internet connection for free. This is very easy on both Linksys products.
If you are unsure of anything i have mentioned or dont userstand it, or would like some more help, feel free to get in contact with me. I will be happy to assist.
Hope this has helped.
Rich