Finding The Right Broadband Deal

It can be confusing when you’re looking to get a new broadband deal, so in this blog, we’re looking to clear up the jargon and help you get the package that suits you best. If you are starting from scratch, our guide to broadband explained covers the basics first.

Start with what you can actually get

Before comparing anything, find out which connections reach your address. Availability varies street by street, and there is little point shortlisting a full fibre package that has not been built to your door. Check what is available where you live first, then compare within that.

What is the best broadband deal?

When it really comes down to it, the best broadband deal is the one that meets your needs for the best price. It really is as simple as that. So, we’re going to look at features available and whether you need them

Unlimited or Usage Limit?

If you use the internet to stream video content (Netflix, iPlayer etc), music (Spotify, Apple Music, or play games online then you will soon find yourself using lots of data. If you do any of these things you’ll probably need an unlimited package. If you just use it for checking emails you can make do with a data limit.

What Speed Do I Need?

If you stream regularly then you’ll be looking to get the package with the highest speeds. Our guide to what broadband speed you really need puts rough figures against each type of household. This means less waiting for content to download. If you only download files occasionally or browse social media then you can get a cheaper package with lower speeds and it won’t affect your user experience.

How many people will be using it?

The more people using your internet connection, the more it will slow down. If you have kids gaming, listening to music and other people watching streaming content you’ll be looking for faster speeds to avoid slowdowns.

Do you want TV?

If you are looking to pay for TV as well then suppliers like Sky, Virgin and BT can provide TV and broadband packages, which usually work out cheaper than paying for each separately.

Phone lines

Some broadband packages come with a landline too. If you use your landline often you can make use of free minute packages. If you use your mobile these won’t affect you so find a deal that doesn’t offer phone line deals.

How long should the contract be?

Most deals now run for 18 or 24 months, and the longer terms carry the lowest monthly prices. Shorter and rolling contracts exist, mainly from smaller networks, and cost more per month in exchange for flexibility.

The longer term is usually cheaper overall if you expect to stay put. The shorter one earns its premium if you rent, expect to move, or a new network is currently building in your area and you would rather not be tied in when it arrives.

Look past the monthly price

The headline figure is rarely the whole cost. Before committing, check three things: whether there is a setup or activation fee, whether the price shown is a discounted rate that ends partway through the term, and what the annual increase will be in pounds and pence.

Multiply the monthly price by the length of the contract, add the setup fee, and add the increases that land along the way. That number is what you are actually agreeing to, and it occasionally reorders a shortlist completely.

The provider matters, not just the package

Two providers selling the same speed over the same Openreach line are not offering the same thing. What differs is what happens when something goes wrong: how quickly faults are fixed, how easy the provider is to reach, and how they handle complaints.

Ofcom publishes complaints data by provider, and it varies more than most people expect. It is worth a glance before you commit to two years. You can read our provider reviews for the ones we cover.

If money is tight

If anyone in the household receives Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support, ask about social tariffs. These are heavily discounted packages, often around £12 to £15 a month, and most large providers offer one. Take up is very low simply because few people know they exist. Our guide to saving money on your broadband covers them in more detail.

Rewards

Certain providers may offer vouchers, cash back or store cards. Don’t be swayed to get a certain package because of these offers, but they may be a useful perk.

Putting it together

Once you know which of the above matter to you, the rest is arithmetic. Work out the real cost over the whole contract rather than the headline monthly price, because setup fees and mid-contract increases both change the total. Our guide to mid-contract price rises explains how those increases are calculated. When you are ready, compare broadband deals against your shortlist, or use the savings checker to see what you could save against your current bill

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right broadband deal?

Start with what is available at your address, then work out the speed your household genuinely needs, then compare the total cost over the whole contract rather than the monthly price. Contract length and the provider’s service record matter as much as the headline figure.

How long should my broadband contract be?

A 24-month term usually gives the lowest monthly price and suits a home you expect to stay in. Shorter or rolling contracts cost more per month but are worth it if you rent, expect to move, or a new network is building in your area.

Is a broadband and TV bundle cheaper?

Often, if you would have paid for those channels anyway. If you mainly watch on demand, separate streaming subscriptions are usually cheaper and far easier to cancel.

Do I still need a landline with my broadband?

Not on full fibre, which runs on its own cable. Older connections still use the phone line, though most providers now sell broadband without a phone service attached.

Does it matter which provider I choose if they use the same network?

Yes. Providers on the same Openreach line differ in how quickly they fix faults, how easy they are to contact and how they handle complaints. Ofcom publishes complaints data by provider and it varies more than most people expect.