Choosing a broadband package can be a daunting experience at the best of times. Each provider will say they have the best package and different packages will offer a unique set of perks and extras to attract customers.
With so much more to consider than just price,[ how do you pick the broadband provider that actually works for you. here’s a recap with some final words of wisdom to help you on your quest to find the best broadband package.
- Do you need internet package along or combination of broadband, TV connection and the home telephone? (bundle packages)
- Unlimited package or fixed user package (unless you are a solo lite user go for unlimited packages)
- What is the speed you need? (anything above 10Mb speed is more than enough for an average family, this is sufficient for a simultaneous live preview of videos in 2 to 3 devices)
- Do you need standard ADSL or high-speed fibre? (fibre connection are expensive and may not available for all the place. not really necessary unless you are looking for high-speed internet. above 30Mbps)
- How long you are going to stay ( most providers increase the price after initial 1 to 2 years but you can always change your service provider once your contract period is over)
- What is your budget?
BROADBAND ALONG OR BUNDLE WITH TV AND HOME TELEPHONE
Almost all the service providers give you the option of selecting broadband package along or as bundle packages in combined with tv and home telephones.
bundling up the packages will save you a few quids a year compared to purchasing each service separately. However, if you are not interested in tv and telephone you can select one of the cheap broadband packages if you decided to add on a home telephone connection you can further specify your preference to evening and weekend only calls unlimited anytime calls or pay as you go plans. some service providers have included mobile and international calling plans as well.
bundling up with tv is a great way to save money from both services. Number and availability of channels vary from provider to provider. Main tv providers in the UK include
- Sky tv – Undoubtedly best tv provider in the UK. it offers double the number of channels as its nearest rival.
- Virgin tv – Virgin Tv offers up to 260 channels, second only to sky tv. but nothing is comparable with the broadband speed of Vergin media
- Talk Talk tv – this is cheap but only basic channels
- BT tv – vast majority of BT channels are Freeview. but with BT sport you have exclusive access to Europa league and champion league football
- Now tv – flexible and you can add and remove channels on month to month basis.
UNLIMITED PACKAGE OR FIXED USER PACKAGE
If you are a solo lite user who uses the internet for web browsing and emails you may go for a fixed user package but If you need something more go for an unlimited package otherwise you may end up in paying more when you exceed your limit
WHAT IS THE SPEED YOU NEED
Speed is one of the main determinants of the price of your broadband package. Each provider offers few packages of different speeds so you can select the package just right for you.
Up to date, Virgin Media has the fastest broadband packages where the second best is not even close. But will you need that speed or are you going to pay for something that you don’t need?
If your package is for a home with up to four people. speed of 10Mbps+ is adequate for regular online activities. This sufficient for simultaneous live streaming of videos in 2 devices. (Netflix recommend a speed of 3Mbps)
If you are playing and downloading lots of video games or watching Tv in HD or 4k look for a package with speed 35Mbps+
STANDARD ADSL OR HIGH-SPEED FIBER
While standard ADSL still capable of satisfying most of the internet requirements if you are looking for speed above 35Mbps your need to select high-speed fibre
High-speed fibre connections don’t come cheap and not available in every corner of the country at the moment.
Virgin Media offers the fastest fibre connections
HOW LONG YOU ARE GOING TO STAY IN UK
Almost all broadband provider lock you in a contract ranging from 12 to 36 months. every provider will increase the price after your initial contract period.
so if you are thinking short term consider the length of the contract and if you are thinking longterm think about the price after initial contract.
BUDGET
Ultimately you have to select something you can afford. having said that the cheapest option may not be the best option for everyone. It may leave you with frustration for the rest of your contract period or you will have to pay additionally to change your package ending up paying more than what you should be.
Click here to find a list of cheapest broadband packages in 2020
following are some of the leading broadband providers in Uk
Having founded by Richard Branson virgin media was launched in the UK in 2006 since then Virgin media is a trusted household name in across the UK . currently, it is the second-largest Broadband provider in the UK but second to none when it comes to speed Virgin media.
Thanks to its own dedicated cable infrastructure, it can offer unbeatable speed throughout its network. Its superfast, high-bandwidth offer best customer experience when it comes to fast gaming, streaming and downloading. If you are with Virgin media there is no slow download speed in peak time or when several family members using the internet at the same time. When It comes to cost Virgin media can be on the higher side but you will not regret as you get best for your money
Virgin Media is not just a broadband provider, In fact, the company’s best-value deals are the ones that combine broadband with home phone, TV and mobile phones. You have the privilege of getting all the connectivity and entertainment your family could ever need from the same provider.
Virgin Media doesn’t stop from just providing you with different services it also gives you attractive deals and offers for each service and bundle them in different combinations so that you can find exactly what you are looking for
Its main emphasis on speed its slowest package starts from amazing 54 Mbps and then gradually stepping up to incredible 516 Mbps average speed. In a few lucky areas, virgin reaches up to 1Gb speed where other competitors are not even close. Needless to say, all these packages are unlimited as a package with a data cap is simply not viable with this speed. The main reason for virgin media’s speed is their own fibre network but it limits there coverage. Initially, virgin media was limited to main cities but now around 60% of the country can get virgin media.
Virgins contract period range from 12 to 18 months there’s also a 30-day rolling contract option if you don’t want to commit for a full year in advance. But this works out more expensive, with an £80 setup fee versus the £35 upfront cost of an annual contract.
For the new customers, it offers 50% off the monthly cost of their package for the first 12 months.
Virgin offers a range of TV packages which can combine with any of the slandered broadband packages. Channel count can go up to including premium channels. When it comes to home phone you have the option of selecting weekend and evening calls, unlimited calls and international calls depending on your requirements.
TalkTalk is one of the four major broadband providers in the UK. Since it was founded in 2009 it has had massive growth and gained customer popularity as one of the most affordable broadband services in the UK. In 2019 Uswitch Broadband & Mobile Awards Talk Talk won most popular broadband provider award.
TalkTalk offers a number of broadband packages, including standard and fibre connections. You can also add home phone connections and Tv connections depending on your requirements.
TalkTalk’s standard and fibre deals require a home phone landline. They’re available as broadband-only or as broadband and home phone deal that includes free evening and weekend calls which can be upgraded to cover anytime or international calls for a small extra monthly fee.
When it comes to the TV you have access to more than 80 channels depending on the package you select. Channels such as Sky Sports can be added to or removed from your package every month, so you don’t have to sign up to long subscriptions for channels you won’t use.
The firm’s set-top box allows you to pause, rewind and record live TV, and you can also access services such as Netflix and rent the latest movies on-demand through the box.
If you are not willing to bundle up TalkTalk allows you to choose from standard or fibre connections. You just need a home phone landline to get up and running.
Talktalk basic package with a speed of 11Mbps is one of the cheapest in the market and it is more than enough for an average family day to day internet activities.
Talk Talk fast fibres provides an average download speed of 28 Mbps and when it comes to superfast fibres it reaches up to 67 Mbps.
Being highly ranked by the customers for its down to earth customer service plus net has grown into one of the large broadband providers since it was founded in 1997. The company as it currently exists is the amalgamation of three communications companies: Force9, Free-Online and Metronet.
If you are looking for a budget internet connection Plusnet comes to the top of your shortlist. Its basic Broadband connection with a speed of 10Mbps comes as little as £17.99 per month probably the cheapest in the market within main providers.
Plusnet launched fibre broadband in 2012 .having used its parent company network it has reaches an incredible maximum speed of 76Mbps. It all plans are unlimited but traffic prioritization applies.
In 2012, Plusnet fibre broadband was launched, using the same network as BT’s super-fast Infinity product and offering a maximum speed of 76Mbps. Its packages all offer unlimited downloads, but traffic prioritisation applies.
Best known for its customer service Plusnet has won quite a few customer awards. Its round the clock customer service is highly appreciated by the customers and according to Ofcom reports it has less than average customer complaints.
Adding value to this excellent broadband provider you can combine it with TV and home phones.
EE is THE biggest communications providers in the UK. Now owned by BT, EE was formed in 2010 by a merge between orange and T mobile. Using BT’s infrastructure EE provides superfast internet. combining this with Its own 4G mobile network EE offers an attractive range of home broadband wi-fi and mobile broadband solutions
EE offers one ADSL package and two fibre packages averaging 10Mbps, 36Mbps and 67Mbps respectively. It also offers packages at 145Mbps and 300Mbps but only in limited areas
EE offers the same range of basic home phone packages most providers do. You can sign up with pay as you go, where you pay for each minute of each call you make, or you can add on free weekends, free evenings and weekends or free anytime calls to certain types of UK numbers
You can add some top TV and sports channels thanks to EE’s Apple TV plans. With compatible devices, you can enjoy stunning 4K-quality content, including the best sports action through BT Sport. It’s worth noting that to get these deals, you’ll have to be signed up to a pay monthly EE mobile deal.
The prices are competitive, and EE has a good customer service reputation according to Ofcom.
EE doesn’t raise its prices at the end of the 18-month contract. Moreover, EE mobile customers get an extra 10GB of mobile data each month for signing up.
So if you’re looking for reliable broadband backed up by strong support this is it.
The sky is highly commended for reliability and speed.
Sky broadband is at the upper end of the price range when it comes to broadband. But your money is well spent when considering the speed service and extras comes with Sky broadband
the sky has a narrow range of products so less confusing and has higher customer satisfaction rates.
In terms of speed, Sky delivers some of the best ADSL services and now offers Ultrafast in some areas, with average speeds of 145Mbits/sec
No one can beat SKY TV and its nearest opponent is not even close.
When it comes to downsides Contracts last 18 months, and prices shoot up at the end of that period. But you can bundle a broadband subscription with a TV and/or mobile package, which could save you money
