Best Broadband Deals

Best Broadband Deals

If you’re wondering how to secure the best broadband deals, there are several questions you may have regarding speed, providers, cost and many other factors. This guide aims to help answer your questions and equip you with the knowledge you need to find the best broadband deals.

What makes a good broadband deal?

During these unprecedented times, we are far more reliant on the internet. As we are now using our broadband for work, school, entertainment, and communication, a fast and reliable connection is even more important. The best broadband deals are usually reliable, fast, and cost effective. Along with high-speed connections, you will also want to consider the customer perks of each provider. Perhaps they offer free data nights or other rewards. Customer satisfaction ratings are also worth taking into consideration. And, above all, the best broadband deals tend to offer good value for money.

How to find the best broadband deals UK wide

– Decide which type of package you need
– Choose a budget and stick with it
– Compare prices across several different providers
– Consider the length of the contract
– Look out for hidden costs and setup fees
– Compare everything with your current contract

With so many different deals available, it is difficult to know exactly where to start. Firstly, you will want to decide the type of package you need. If your sole purpose is to connect online, then a broadband-only deal is all you will need. Alternatively, you can also choose a package. These packages, also known as bundle deals, are often more cost-effective. To get a better idea of how much it will cost, be sure to compare some of the best broadband and TV deals with the best broadband only deals.

The type of broadband you require will also depend on how often you intend to use the internet and how many people are in your household. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t always need the fastest and flashiest packages. Decide what is important to you. Of course, you’ll want a good connection but sometimes value for money is more important than the fastest internet on the street. Using our comparison site is also a great way to narrow down your choices. Other factors to think about include the contract length, your current package, and whether or not you require fibre broadband. Knowing this information beforehand will save time and help you find the right package quickly.

Standard broadband vs fibre broadband deals

Once you have chosen your bundle, you will need to decide between a standard broadband or fibre broadband package. When you weigh up the pros and cons of each, fibre tends to win. With fibre broadband, you can expect much faster speeds, seamless streaming, and stronger connections across greater distances. While standard broadband can be cheaper, most providers now offer affordable deals for both options.

The best broadband deals in my area

The type of deal you receive will also depend on where you live. Be sure to check whether your area has fibre broadband before you start shopping around. This way, you will avoid any unnecessary disappointment. Asking friends and family about their current contracts is another good way to discover the best TV and broadband deals.

In order to find the best fibre broadband deals, you will want to check in with as many different providers as possible. Along with the UK’s larger broadband providers, it is also worth looking for local based companies as well. Aside from different deals, each internet provider offers varying speeds, benefits, and services. Take a look at the below list of some of the UK’s leading internet providers including what you can expect from them.

– BT:

When it comes to the best broadband and phone deals, BT are a good choice. While they tend to be on the more expensive side of the scale, it remains a longstanding broadband provider with a high customer satisfaction rating.

– Zen:

Zen may not be one of the first brands that come to mind but they should be. With a wide range of options, Zen boasts some fantastic broadband only deals. From basic packages to ultrafast fibre deals, it is a premium broadband supplier with competitive rates.

– Sky:

Another popular choice, Sky has some of the best TV broadband deals around. If you would like Sky TV, then these packages are a great choice. Gain access to programmes that are exclusive to Sky and choose from a range of exciting TV bundles to suit your household.

– PlusNet:

Possibly one of the most affordable options on the list, PlusNet provide good quality broadband for less. While they do not offer ultrafast fibre connections, PlusNet is ideally suited to families and students looking for value for money. Expect good connections and a friendly customer service team.

– EE:

If you work from home then EE offers both speed and value. While EE doesn’t offer the cheapest deals, they do provide ultrafast fibre. EE is a particularly good choice for EE mobile customers as you will also receive extra data when you sign up for a broadband contract.

– Virgin Media:

Offering some of the best broadband TV and phone deals including line rental, Virgin Media are a good option for family households looking for a bundle package. When it comes to broadband speeds, this company is also ahead of the game. Expect average download speeds of around 220Mbits per second.

How can I compare broadband deals now?

There are many great deals out there, and the best way to compare them is by using a comparison site like Compare Fibre. A Compare Fibre search will bring up all the best deals available in your area and list them according to factors such as cost, speed, joining incentives, and anything else included in the agreement. There are many types of options out there, so it is worth doing your research and gaining a broad view of what’s available before you commit to a provider.

Using our site to find the best broadband deals in your area is simple – type your postcode into the home page, and we’ll instantly bring up all your available options. Depending on where you live, Compare fibre will present you with a vast range of options, so you can use our filters to arrange the deals according to the monthly cost, speed, contract duration and whether calls are included. The filters will help narrow down your search.

Compare broadband speeds

When considering broadband packages, one of the most important things to compare is speed. Speed is the rate at which you can stream, upload or download information over your internet connection. Generally, the average speed in the UK is 11.03Mbps. 11Mbps is perfectly acceptable if you are using the internet for browsing purposes or if you’re the only occupant of your property. However, you are likely to need a better speed if you have multiple people in your household, or if there will be various devices – such as smartphones, laptops and tablets – using the connection at any given time. You’ll also want a higher speed if you use TV streaming services such as Netflix, or if you regularly download music or films. You can easily compare rates on our site and filter according to speed once you have your postcode results.

To compare speeds try The Compare Fibre Speed Test

Check the contract length

Another important consideration is the length of the contract. Many providers will offer you cheaper deals if you sign up for a long-term contract. A long-term contract is worth going for if you’re looking for a long-term solution. However, if you prefer the freedom to shop around when better deals become available – or if you think your circumstances might change within the next couple of years – opt for a shorter tie-in period. When the contract period ends, you’ll automatically continue with your connection on a rolling basis in most cases, so make sure you check you’re getting the best deal once you enter that period.

Keep in mind set-up costs

Many people concentrate on the monthly cost of an internet connection; they don’t factor in set-up costs. These are one-off charges from your internet provider to install your equipment. They vary between providers – ranging from around £20 to £130 – and occasionally are waived as part of promotions to attract new customers. When you join, try negotiating with the provider to see if you can secure a reduction – or in some cases, you can install the system yourself to save on the set-up fee.

Extras, add-ons and bundles

Many providers offer extras when you take out a new contract with them, such as international call bundles or extra TV channel genres. Your provider will probably try to sell you these at some point, so make sure you only go for them if you’re sure you’ll use them. Generally, you can always add to your deal once it is set up – even if it’s still within the fixed period – so if in doubt, you don’t need to sign up for these straight away.

Free gifts, vouchers, reward cards and cashback

Broadband providers often offer incentives to entice people to sign up with them. These incentives come in many forms; reward cards, gift vouchers, technology gifts and cashback are all common for new customers. It’s worth taking these into account, as there can be some great offers when a provider has a promotion on. However, make sure you’re not taking out a deal based on the incentives alone; an offer of a new Playstation can seem attractive, but if it’s part of a deal that costs more per month than you wanted, maybe it’s not for you. Cashback can also seem appealing – make sure that higher monthly charges don’t wipe out the benefit.

What is the best broadband deal?

If you’re wondering “what are the best broadband deals in my area?”, there is no straightforward answer to this. It is a subjective question and depends on your individual needs. If you’re solely motivated by price, then the cheapest deal could be the best for you. However, suppose you’re a family of four that uses the internet for streaming films, working from home and participating in online classes. In that case, the cheapest deal probably won’t be right for you because it will likely come with slower download speeds. The best deal for you is the one that ticks all the boxes – it offers the best value for money, the best performance for your needs, the best customer service and is best suited to the area and type of property you live in.

There are also many other considerations to consider when you decide which is the “best”; think about what is important to you and factor everything in. There are all sorts of things to think about that could constitute the best deal. Does it offer unlimited data usage? Does it come with any awesome add-ons? Does it allow for free calls abroad? Does it offer good parental controls? Does it provide the most secure connection?

Who is the best broadband provider?

Again, this is another subjective question. Several large providers have solid, positive reputations – such as Virgin, Sky, BT and Vodafone. These companies offer a broad range of deals as they aim to cater to everyone. Many people love the choices and the extras that companies such as Virgin, Sky and BT offer; they come with their own, well-established TV set-ups, which are preferred by many who love a broad selection of entertainment, sports and films. Many people may also like these companies because they have long-standing reputations for providing reliable and robust internet coverage – and because it’s possible to tick off your TV, internet, phone and various other subscriptions in one go, with one company. They also offer their customers a range of add-ons and benefits, making them popular choices.

However, there are many new and emerging providers that many may consider as better. These smaller companies can often be more flexible with the deals they offer and often provide a more attentive service level. Again, what constitutes “best” is an entirely individual thing. If you’re unsure, you can check any unbiased reviews sites and see for yourself which are the most highly rated companies. Consider the different areas of scoring too; one may be considered better in terms of connection strength and speed, and another may be stronger in terms of customer service.

BT broadband deals

BT is one of the most popular broadband providers, and offers up to 76Mbps, meaning quicker downloads and streaming TV services. It’s a great choice also if you’re a large family with multiple devices; its Smart Hub is a powerful wi-fi hub that has one of the best performances when it comes to extending your fast wi-fi signal around the home.

BT is also considered one of the best for its security features too; if you have young children, you can easily add parental controls. The company has also invested in other features to keep your connection secure – so it’s a good option if you are worried about your data or hacking. You can also enjoy various benefits with its BT Extra feature; you get access to more than five million hotspots around the country when you’re away from home, and you can back up your data with BT Cloud.

BT has many deals available – both broadband-only and as part of a package with phone and/or TV. Some deals tie you in for 12 months, 18 months and 24 months, and you can opt for various speeds depending on your usage and budget.

Sky broadband deals

Sky is another good one throughout the UK; its broadband boasts good speeds and reliable service. Customers can also choose to pay a little extra per month to get wi-fi in every room. Sky also has its acclaimed Broadband Buddy app, a favourite among parents who want to customise the parental controls they apply to their set-ups.

Sky is an excellent option for those who want to combine their broadband with other features. Sky’s TV service contains more than 1,000 channels, and its movie and sports channels are world-renowned. The company often secures rights to some of the world’s leading sporting events, so it is a great one to choose if you regularly tune into these games.

Sky is offering several deals, and its current one is £27 per month for an 18-month contract with a set-up fee of £19.99. This is a pretty good deal with higher than average internet speeds. However, there are various options depending on what you’re looking for.

Virgin broadband deals

Virgin is the other popular company for broadband deals and, like its competitors, offers a broad range of deals depending on your usage, budget and interests. And, if it’s speed you’re looking for, Virgin has been awarded the uSwitch accolade for fastest speed for 11 years running. Therefore, its super-fast fibre-optic broadband is ideal if you’re a fan of TV streaming subscriptions or if you need a strong and reliable connection. Again, you can combine everything into your deal with Virgin – broadband, TV and phone – and the company offers similar prices to its main competitors. Virgin is a company with many specialisms, so its broadband subscription is likely to enjoy other perks. Such as access to entertainment tickets, discounts on consumer goods and travel, and music services – make sure you check out everything that’s on offer.

The deals offered by Virgin are pretty extensive too. It provides a simple broadband connection on its own, right through to a complete package containing its fastest ever fibre-optic broadband speeds, a full roster of TV channels, unlimited phone, text and data and a wealth of other add-ons.

Can I switch at any time? Are there any restrictions?

You can switch if you’re within the initial fixed-term contract without a penalty. You should always check what this penalty is before signing up, particularly if you’re the kind of person that still has their eyes open for new deals. The broadband world is pretty competitive, so you’ll find discounts and promotions regularly changing to lure new customers. Shopping around is worth your while when changing providers. Sometimes, when you find a new deal and switch within your fixed term, the new provider will offer to pay the penalty to your current provider. If you want to change but are tied into a contract, it is always worth asking your new provider what they can do to help.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you take a step closer to your ideal broadband deal. And, now you’re equipped with the knowledge, why not see the deals for yourself? Head on over to our comparison page to find out what’s available in your area. Good luck finding the deal that’s right for you – if you have any questions, feel free to pop a note over to one of our friendly broadband advisors!