Getting the best from Broadband
89% of people in the UK now use the internet at least once a week, and 9 out of 10 households have internet access at home. The amount of companies providing broadband in the UK is huge, with new deals and providers popping up all the time. Even so, getting a good deal on broadband can be tricky. Following these simple tips will help you get the best deal on your broadband.
Work out what you need
The first thing to think about when getting a new broadband deal is exactly what you need. If you use the internet to stream lots of music and video, you’ll need a package with a fast speed. Maybe you know you’ll be moving out of your home within 12 months? In that case, you’d probably opt for a 12-month contract over an 18-month once.
There are a few other factors to think about, including download allowance, set up cost and monthly fee. The best way to find the perfect deal is to use a comparison site.
Use comparison sites
As well as all of the factors listed above, comparison sites give you a more in-depth look at what each provider offers. There are some deals that are discounted if you already have a mobile contract with the provider. Others offer free landline calls with certain packages. Whatever you’re after, there is sure to be a deal out there that ticks all the boxes.
Spending a couple of hours browsing comparison sites and whittling down your options could save you £££s in the future. For a more in-depth guide to using comparison sites, check out our webpage on them here.
Check what’s available near you
‘Fibre’ is the quickest type of broadband by far but, at the moment, it’s not been rolled out to the whole UK. Fibre uses fibre optic cables to connect you to the internet. The government has set a target of 2033 to get the entire of the UK ‘fully fibred’, but for some, that’s a 14-year wait. Most of the broadband comparison sites ask you to enter your postcode so they can check availability in your area.
If fibre isn’t yet available in your local area and you need a fast connection, go for the highest non-fibre option. This type of connection uses ADSL, but this will usually be listed as ‘non-fibre broadband’ or just ‘standard broadband’.
Read the small print
Sometimes the deals advertised by broadband providers are not all they first appear. As with signing any contract, be sure to always check the small print. This could be a hidden cost for broadband installation or a charge for the wireless modem. Contracts can also include a usage limit that means you pay more than the contract price if using the broadband heavily. Other things to check are the price of line rental (most ADSL packages charge line rental) and how to cancel your contract.
Going through the steps above will give you a head start on getting the best broadband for your needs. A small amount of research can give you big savings and a better broadband service in the long run.
