12 Month Broadband Deals

12-month broadband deals

When taking out a new broadband contract, many people are enticed by attractive monthly payments and promises of ultrafast broadband speeds. It can be easy to overlook the length of the contract – and as a result, many people lock themselves into deals for longer than would have been preferable.

What does the contract length mean?

The contract length is the amount of time in which you are committed to paying for the deal you’ve signed up with. This is a legally binding document, so if you want to get out of the contract sooner, you will still be liable to pay a penalty or the remainder of the monthly payments. Companies do this so that they can guarantee your business for a certain amount of time.

Contracts are usually 12, 18 or 24 months and, during that time, you will not have any flexibility to change provider or do anything other than upgrade your deal. Many people’s circumstances change – such as moving to a new house, changing job or simply just wanting to keep their eyes open for a better deal. If you don’t want to be locked in for long, a 12-month deal could be ideal for you. Many providers offer 12-month broadband deals, so make sure you check before you sign up.

How do I know it’s a 12-month deal?

You can easily see the term of the contract when you browse internet deals. An easy way is to use a broadband checker; simply type in your postcode and the tool will instantly bring up the best 12-month broadband deals that are available in your area.

12-month fibre broadband deals are commonplace, with some offering you ultrafast or superfast speeds for a small commitment.

If you’re looking for fibre optic broadband deals, 12-month contract options could be the way to go; this is because fibre broadband is constantly evolving. What may have been a fast deal a year ago may pale in insignificance compared with the download speeds reached now. Some companies are even launching broadband with speeds of up to 1 GB/S – so it’s worth keeping yourself free from long-term commitments in such a fast-moving, competitive industry if you can.

Which 12-month broadband deal is right for me?

There are various broadband 12-month deals you can choose from. Plusnet has some great options at the moment and most of its deals come with a standard 12-month contract. It is becoming increasingly common for companies to offer 18 or 24 months as their standard contract lengths. You’ll notice the big ones like Sky, Virgin and BT all have longer contract lengths for most of their deals. The best thing to do if you are looking for a 12-month deal with any of these companies is to call them and enquire directly. You can see via our website which deals they offer in your area. Then, if the deal you want has a longer term than you would like, try and negotiate with the provider for a 12-month term.

John Lewis Broadband currently offers 12-month broadband-only deals where you can connect to the Internet for as little as £18.99 per month. This deal gives a respectable speed of up to 25 MB per second. This speed is perfectly fine if you belong to a small household and you are only planning to use your broadband for simple tasks such as browsing the Internet and sending or receiving emails.

There is also a broadband provider called Zen, which prides itself on offering a range of 12-month contract options to its customers, while still giving them access to very fast fibre-optic broadband speeds. This is a new player in the broadband market but many people like it because of the flexibility it offers with its shorter-term deals.

Is it cheaper to look for 12-month broadband deals UK?

Many people have the misconception that to get a shorter contract, you have to spend more money per month. Although this might be true in other industries – the longer you sign up for the more you save per month – it’s not true with broadband. Often the prices for 12-month contracts are the same as those offered for 18 or 24-months – it really depends on the provider. If you are considering taking out a 12-month contract with a broadband provider, make sure you compare the monthly price with other contracts, even if they are different lengths.

Get a contract that suits you

If you know you are going to be moving house within the next couple of years, or if you know that your circumstances are going to change, don’t be lured in by cheaper monthly rates on longer deals. This is because it will cost you more in the long run if you enter a longer contract and then you want to move house or change providers before it ends; you will end up having to pay a penalty fee, which may end up costing you more. Just go with a provider that offers a 12-month contract, even if it means a slightly higher monthly payment.

In conclusion

To summarise, there are many 12-month broadband-only deals or combined broadband deals on the market today. There is, therefore, no need to be tied into a longer contract if you think you might want to switch. Of course, when you move house, you can take your broadband with you, but the coverage in your new area may be weaker than that of your old area, meaning you may want the freedom to change provider. You also may just be the type of person who likes to have the freedom to shop around.

For the best 12-month fibre broadband deals, search here today.