Mobile Phone Deals

Broadband is the term used to describe the connection between a device and the internet that lets you connect to the web, generally for things like streaming, online shopping, or browsing social media.

Whether you’re looking for a broadband deal for the first time, or you’re thinking about switching suppliers, there are various factors to think about when comparing providers and deals. Read our guide to discover everything you need to know about broadband and how to find the best broadband deal for you.

The main things you should be thinking about when deciding between broadband providers are:

• Speed: Your connection speed is one of the most important factors, especially if you stream a lot of content or game online
• Usage: Many providers offer unlimited downloads for home broadband, but not all – if you’re a heavy user be sure to check for any download limits
• Cost: A tariff may offer everything you’re looking for, but does it come at the right price and offer good value for money? Shopping around is a vital part of finding the right tariff at the best possible price
• Availability: Some connection types aren’t available in every location across the UK, and most providers will offer a postcode checking service to let you know what you’ll be able to access
• Good customer service: Reading customer reviews can give you an idea of a provider’s customer service record. If you were to experience any service outages or lower-than-expected speeds, this is very important
• Contract length: Most broadband contracts are 12-month deals, but it’s always important to check, so that you’re not tying yourself into a longer deal than expected. This could make switching more difficult
• Equipment: When you find a new provider, or if your current provider is offering an upgrade to your services, you might receive new equipment. This could be partly or completely subsidised by your provider, but this isn’t always the case – you may have to pay extra for the new kit
• Freebies: Many broadband tariffs come with tempting incentives like cashback or vouchers to certain stores – but you should consider whether these are as important as factors such as speed and cost

Broadband comes in a variety of forms, and their availability usually depends on the provider you choose as well as your location. The most common types of broadband are:

• ADSL: the most basic and common type of broadband internet connection, which works over the same line as your landline phone. An ADSL connection is generally the slowest and cheapest of the three main types of fixed-line broadband available to buy for your home.
• Cable: While ADSL broadband is dependent on BT’s copper phone line infrastructure, cable broadband providers like Virgin Media use coaxial cables instead. They offer faster speeds but aren’t usually as widely available across the UK.
• Fibre: Optic fibre broadband is significantly faster than cable and ADSL with a more stable performance, it therefore tends to come at a higher price. It’s not accessible everywhere but as providers extend their full fibre networks, availability is increasing all the time. It’s worth checking if you could benefit from fibre optic technology in your area.

Mobile broadband  (3G or 4G): Mobile broadband is a service you can connect to at home and on the go. It’s convenient and doesn’t require a landline, but it can be expensive.

You’ll usually get a USB dongle to plug into your computer, or a special wireless box that just needs a power supply. There are no wires or cables and you can choose between pay as you go (PAYG), contract or SIM-only.

Satellite broadband: this is an option for people living in the few areas where a good ADSL, cable or fibre broadband connection isn’t available.

Many providers offer free gifts alongside their broadband tariffs, such as cashback, gift cards, vouchers or rewards cards. While these can be useful extras, they usually don’t have any bearing on the quality of service you’ll get from your provider.

Comparing broadband deals, even when you already have a tariff in place, is always a good idea. By shopping around, you may find a package that offers more than what you currently have but for a cheaper price, a higher download limit or a faster connection. Today’s broadband speeds are much higher than they used to be – in March 2016 the average download speed in the UK was 28.9Mbps, but that climbed up to 64.0 Mbps in November 2019.* Bearing this in mind, it might be easy to feel your current broadband connection is out of date. Switching your broadband provider can help you get faster download speeds at affordable prices, but you might also find a provider that offers superior customer service and even useful free gifts such as new gadgets or shop vouchers. *Data collected from Ofcom’s Fixed Home Broadband Speeds Report 2019, accurate as of May 2020

It usually makes sense to switch broadband at the end of your current contract, but it is possible to switch broadband provider whenever you like – you will usually just have to pay an early-exit fee. If you are tied into an existing contract and want to switch to a new provider, make sure that you check the potential saving against any early-exit fees, and make sure the switch is still worth it. If you are switching because the price of your broadband has gone up during your contract, you should be able to leave without a fee. Another way you can usually leave without paying a fee is if your existing provider isn’t giving you their minimum guaranteed speed.