Follow this topicHow to find the right broadband deal
Whether it's a faster connection, unlimited downloads or just cheaper broadband you're looking for - there's a deal out there just waiting to be found...
Given that I spend my days writing about broadband, it's hardly a surprise when friends ask for tips on how to get a better deal. When I'm feeling lazy or less than helpful, I just tell them I'm with O2 and - touch wood - haven't had any problems so far.
It's all true, but the provider and package that's right for me wouldn't necessarily be the best choice for you. More useful advice would be to say that you should always shop around and take the time to really consider what you need from your broadband. Luckily, with the internet at your fingertips, it's never been easier to do so.
The most sensible way to compare broadband deals is to enter your postcode into an Ofcom-accredited calculator - like the one at Broadbandchoices.co.uk - to see what's actually available in your area and find the service that's right for you.
What makes a great broadband deal?
Comparing broadband from different providers is as much about price as anything else, but you also need to make sure you're getting a service that's fast enough and caters for your household's demands.
And remember, with most packages you'll need to pay for a landline on top of the broadband. It can cost over £14 a month in some cases, so make sure you're comparing line rental too. Let's take a look at how you might approach choosing a deal.
Cheap and cheerful
If you just want a cheap connection, Plusnet can hook you up for £6.49 a month. Choose the Yorkshire provider's Value package and get speeds of up to 16Mb, but do note the 10GB monthly usage limit. For an extra £5 a month you can up it to 60GB.
No limits
Superfast
With speeds of up to 100Mb, Virgin Media offers the UK's most widely available fibre optic broadband. If you don't live in an area covered by Virgin Media’s cable network, you can get superfast broadband through BT Infinity, Sky or TalkTalk instead.
Value for money
The easiest way to make your money go further is to bundle your broadband with phone and TV from a single provider that offers all three. Depending on what's available in your area, you can get an all-in-one deal from Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk or BT.
Current best broadband deals
Below is a list of the best deals from Broadbandchoices.co.uk as of 12th October. You'll find a mixture of speeds, usage limits and extras, so perhaps use this table as way of quickly comparing how the various packages stack up against each other.
|
Provider |
Package |
Speed |
Usage |
Monthly price |
|
BT |
Up to 16Mb |
10GB limit |
Free for first six months, then £13 thereafter + (£14.60) = £14.60 for first six months, then £27.60
|
|
|
O2 |
Up to 16Mb |
Unlimited |
From £8.75 = £21.75 or £19.25 for O2 mobile customers
|
|
|
Orange |
Up to 14Mb |
Unlimited |
From £10.00 |
|
|
Plusnet |
Up to 16Mb |
60GB limit |
From £5.74 for first twelve months, then £11.49 thereafter |
|
|
Sky
|
Up to 14Mb |
Unlimited |
From £21.50 + (£14.50) = £36.00
|
|
|
TalkTalk (Including TV)
|
Up to |
Unlimited |
From £14.50
|
|
|
Tesco |
Up to 14Mb |
Unlimited |
£2.50 for first twelve months, then £6.50 thereafter + (13.75) = £16.25 for first twelve months, then £20.25 |
|
|
Virgin Media (Including TV)
|
Broadband + Weekend/Evening Calls + TiVo Essential, 18 months |
Up to 60Mb |
Unlimited |
From £22.10 first six months, then £34.60 thereafter
|
Anthony Hill is broadband expert at BroadbandChoices.
More on broadband:
Retweet
Comments (
Facebook
1
Love
