Ethernet required?

I'm thinking of getting broadband. My computer is 6 yrs old. It has 512MB ram and runs XP & applications well. It hasn't got an ethernet port (I gather it looks like an oversize telephone socket?) Not bothered about the spec so much, but can someone tell me if I have to intsall an ethernet card to have broadband (wireless or wired). Thanks

If you use a USB broadband modem then you won't need ethernet.

Most broadband deals nowadays come with routers as the connection point and these work as a mini network device, they connect to the internet and you connect your computers to them.

So you need either an ethernet adapter (wired network card) if you plan on hooking to it directly, or you need a wireless network card if your router supports wireless and you want to connect to it wirelessly

Most routers nowadays if they say they are wirless will also support wired connections..

Thanks Fat Freddy.
One more question. Can I get a wireless network adaptor that fits directly into the USB port or do I have to install a wireless card? Thanks

Yes you can get wireless network USB cards