Overview
The broadband revolution is here to stay and the Big Cheeses are out there trying to get you to sign up with them! With all those deals out there which one is the best deal for you? Confused? I know how you feel but don’t worry with my expert knowledge on the Broadband world, finding the best deal and provider will become a doddle.
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The Basics
In its most basic form, broadband is an always on high speed connection to the internet. There are many reasons why you should purchase broadband. Not only is it 10x faster than dial-up but it�s also cheaper and will allow you to use your phone whilst surfing the net.
There are a few factors that will influence your decision when getting the best broadband deal, so ask yourself the following questions:
1. Who is my telephone provider (generally, BT or Cable)?
2. How much will I use it?
Remember, that existing broadband customers could save �100�s by moving to a cheaper provider and if you�re a new customer then that�s even great because you can get it right; first time.
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1. Who is my telephone provider, Cable (Now known as Virgin Media) or BT?
The general rule of thumb is that if you�ve got your phone with Cable then your �pigeon holed�, meaning you�ll only be able to get broadband from your cable provider (unless you pay BT for a dedicated line costing �10 a month) – Cable Deals*. However cable offer some great packages and like myself it can be cheaper to switch from BT.
If, however you�re with BT then your provider choice is much better. This is because BT was forced to reduce their monopoly in the telecoms industry so other businesses were allowed to become �Brokers� for their products. This has opened up the massive market, intensifying the competition, which means that providers will battle for your business. Here are just a few BT*, Tesco*, Talk Talk*, Sky*, Tiscaliand many more. See the table below for a breakdown.
2. How much will I use?
Depending on how much you will use the net and what you use it for, you need to determine the speed and download capacity (cap) you want. Therefore, if you�re going to use the net to download music and movies, you�ll probably want a fast connection like 8MB and a high cap (some providers offer unlimited downloads). Providers enforce �caps� to limit the amount you download and may charge you or cut you off for additional downloads.
On BT, the maximum speed you can have will also depend on the distance between you and the nearest exchange so make sure you don�t end up paying for something you can�t get. Check ‘BT local exchange speed checker’ to find out what your line supports and the maximum speed your broadband can support.
How do I get the best deal? and Can I get broadband for Free?
Now you know what you�re looking for, it�s time to find out where the best deals are. In all honesty it�s like anything we buy, the more savvy we are, the better the deal we emerge with.
A few companies, such as TalkTalk, Orange and Sky.com. offer ‘free’ broadband although you have to sign up to buy their phone service, mobile or digital TV too.
Although this will be the cheapest option for most people, there are things worth noting when looking at such an option like hidden costs, such as, connection fees, low usage caps, and you may even have to sign up to a lengthy contract (12 or 18 months). Bearing these in mind I have put together a number of recommendations.
| Set-up Costs | Total Cost (average 12 months) | |||||||||
| Provider | Monthly Cost |
Contract Duration | Speed | Cap | New Customer Set-up |
Existing Customer Migration |
Joining Offers | New Customer # |
Existing Customer # |
|
| TalkTalk | £19.99 | 18 Months | 8Mb | 40Gb | £20 Modem | Free | None | £253 | £240 | |
| Tiscalli | £28.99 | 12 Months | 8Mb | Unlimeted | Free | Free | None | £347.88 | £347.88 | |
| Virgin Media | £20.00 | 2Mb | 12 Months | Unlimeted | Unknown | Free | None | £240 | £240 | |
#– Calculated over a 12 month term for comparison reasons.
At the moment the cheapest offer for both new and existing customers is TalkTalk with the Talk3 tariff at £20 a month (this includes BT line rental) and free UK landline calls (a marketing gimmick), no connection fee and 40GB Cap. However, there is an 18 month contract and new broadband users will have to get a modem � this is probably an unbeatable offer. You can get a decent wireless modem from PC world or Tesco for £40. If your an Orange or Sky customer and are paying more £30 a month then you may be entitled to free broadband too but don’t become a customer just for this offer.
For Cable customers the the 2 for £20 offer seems to be an attractive deal – click here. I’m not sure if this includes line rental for your phone so I’ll have have to let know how good it is soon.
For high usage users Tiscali is probably the cheapest with an 8Mb speed and unlimited download allowance (No Cap) for just �27.99 per month. However I use Cable if you can switch then this will probably be the best option which also offers 10Mb Speeds.
I recommend you check out: Braodband Genie or Uswitch. Whether you�re looking for a new broadband connection or changing provider, this website compares prices to fit your needs and wants.
Phone calls over the Net (VOIP)
I wanted to add this section in because I�m fed up of companies like BT and Talk Talk making out that they�re giving you a great deal with calls over the Internet it�s a marketing gimmick.
Phone Calls over the Internet (via a broadband connection) are FREE! All you need is a handset available from: Here and software like Skype. It�s as easy and simple as that. Don�t be fooled into thinking that BT are giving you something for nothing, they�re giving you nothing for something (usually an inflated rental charge). Also, look at using services such as Jajah as they can also reduce your call costs on your mobile by using an access code.
Conclusion
You should now be able to find the best deal for you based on your telephone provider and how much you use the net. Use services like Uswitch to help you easily compare broadband deals and if you still think you need to know more then join the Which free trial and cancel it if you don�t need it.
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This website is based on journalistic research. It does not constitute financial advice. Any information should be considered in regard to specific circumstances. All tips are followed at your own risk and should be followed up with your own research.