Your best broadband deals for 2012

You could be paying up to £240 a month for inferior internet access.

Millions of British households are paying up to £20 a month too much for broadband packages, according to leading comparison website BroadbandChoices.co.uk.

In other words, some of us could save as much as £240 a year -- every year -- by switching suppliers. In particular, this includes anyone who hasn't shopped around for two years or more!

Bargain broadband

In my experience, finding and switching to a Best Buy broadband deal takes no more than a couple of hours of effort. What's more, as well as cutting your monthly bill, you should aim to find the fastest, most reliable replacement.

For example, when moving house last April, I was forced to seek out a new broadband provider. A quick online search led me to sign up to a bundle from Virgin Media: broadband, telephone and digital television for just £20 a month for the first six months. Thanks to switching, I now enjoy the fastest Internet access I've ever had.

Of course, your best bet for broadband will depend on where you live, your Internet usage, and how much you're willing to pay each month. And the smartest way to compare and switch broadband packages is to use an Ofcom-accredited broadband comparison calculator.

Seven of the best

Without further ado, let's take a look at seven delightful deals on offer right now (in no particular order), courtesy of lovemoney.com's partner, BroadbandChoices.co.uk:

1. BT (free for four months)

Enjoy up to 20Mb broadband speeds
Free connection and BT wireless Home Hub
Free Anytime calls to UK landlines
Sign up online for BT Broadband and Anytime Calls and get four months free (£16 a month thereafter)

2. Sky (half-price broadband for a year)

Get up to 20Mb speeds and truly unlimited broadband downloads
Inclusive wireless router
Half-price broadband for a whole year (only £5 a month for 12 months)

3. Virgin Media (three months' free broadband, TV and phone)

Fibre optic broadband, plus calls and TV package
Get three months' free broadband, TV and calls, plus free installation (usually £49.90)
From £20 a month after free period ends (minimum 18-month contract)
Add TiVo for £3 extra a month and get Free TiVo activation (usually £49.90)

4. TalkTalk (12 months' half-price broadband and calls)

Up to 24Mb broadband speeds, with a 40GB download limit
Free connection and wireless router
Free evening and weekend calls to UK landlines
Get 12 months' half-price broadband and calls with TalkTalk Essentials
From only £3.25 a month

5. Plusnet (12 months' half-price broadband)

Up to 20Mb broadband speeds
Free activation (worth £25)
Free evening and weekend calls to UK landlines
Get 12 months' half-price with Plusnet Value Broadband and Calls
From only £3.24 a month

6. Orange (free HP Printer, worth £39)

Get truly unlimited broadband with Orange
FREE connection and router
Free HP Printer (worth £39)
For only £5 per month for Orange mobile customers

7. O2 (12 months' half-price broadband)

Up to 20Mb broadband speeds, truly unlimited downloads
Wireless router included
Free wireless router
12 months' half-price broadband for existing O2 customers
From only £6.25 a month

Things to watch out for

When choosing a broadband package, always look beyond the freebies and offers by checking how much each will cost you in the first year and later years. Also, remember that your Internet access speeds could be far below the 'up to' speeds advertised. In addition, some providers will insist that you to move your landline to them from BT or your current provider.

Finally, before signing up to any broadband package, be absolutely certain what you're getting for your money. In particular, watch out for these Five broadband rip-offs and read 'Check the small print' at the end of this article.

Good luck with finding bargain broadband for 2012!

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