We share our top tips for comparing the huge number of broadband deals available so you can pick the best broadband provider and a cheap broadband package that's right for you.
With an ever increasing number of businesses and services moving their operations online having access to a high speed broadband connection has become almost as essential as a home phone line or mobile.
However, with so many different broadband providers and broadband packages available, choosing the plan that will provide you with value for money access to the internet is often easier said than done.
Many households end up paying over the odds for benefits they simply don’t need. So, to help make getting online that bit easier we explain how to get started with broadband:
ADSL or cable?
ADSL broadband is available to the vast majority of UK households as it’s delivered by the same network as your landline phone line but operates on a higher frequency. This means you can surf the net and talk on the phone simultaneously without disruption.
Cable broadband on the other hand is only available to homes in areas where the fibre optic cable network is already in place; it’s currently able to service approximately half of the UK population but is being expanded all the time.
Often available as part of an entertainment bundle along with cable TV and landline calls, cable broadband can be a cost efficient option if you’re happy to tie all your services to one provider.
While technological advancements are enabling faster broadband speeds to be delivered all the time, in the areas where cable broadband is available it does tend to offer the potential for a faster and more reliable connection to the net.
This is because the speed of ADSL broadband largely depends on a combination of your distance from a phone exchange and the quality of the copper wires that connect you. However, cable broadband can be prone to surges which can be an annoyance especially for those keen on interactive gaming.
What broadband speed?
Broadband speed is a measure of the amount of time it takes to transfer information from the internet to your computer. This is stated as megabytes per second (mbps) and will affect everything you do online from the time it takes for a web page to open to whether you have the capacity to watch TV.
As the vast majority of broadband providers price their offerings based largely on the maximum speed they offer it’s important to take into account your usage when picking a package to avoid paying out unnecessarily.
Even the slowest broadband speeds are lightening quick compared to the old dial up connections many of us previously used to get online and the 1Mb and 2Mb packages most providers offer as a minimum will be more than sufficient for the light user.
These ‘lower speed’ packages will allow you to open web pages in less than a second, make use of streaming to watch videos and use web cams too although the image quality is unlikely to be crystal clear. So, if you’re rarely online for more than a couple of hours a day and use your broadband connection predominantly to send emails, search for information and download smaller files, these limits are more than likely to suffice.
However, if you’re more of a heavy user who frequently downloads large files, likes watching TV and listening to the radio online or enjoys taking part in interactive gaming, a higher speed package is more likely to be suited to your requirements.
Similarly, if you’re going to be creating a network of several computers from a single home broadband connection, a higher speed package is likely to be most suitable. This means you'll need to consider one of the fastest broadband deals available instead.
Which download limit?
Measured in gigabytes (Gb), the download speed or usage allowance of a broadband package refers to the amount of information you will be allowed to access online each month.
This tends to vary between 1Gb and unlimited usage depending on the package and provider and is again a factor that will determine the price of your internet connection.
Many users fall into the trap of unnecessarily paying extra for unlimited packages and while they can be incredibly cost efficient for heavy users who really make the most of what the internet has to offer, if you’re a lighter user you could once again be paying for access that you simply don’t need.
To give you a rough idea of what your monthly usage may be, a 1Gb limit will allow you to download approximately 10,000 web pages, 100 emails and 20 standard length music tracks a month.
Working out your usage compared to this baseline should give you an idea of the sort of download limit you need to look for in an internet package and will help you find the cheapest broadband package for your usage.
Extra benefits?
While the speed and download limit governing your connection to the internet are likely to be the most important factors in deciding which package to go for when you compare broadband, it’s the extra benefits and discounts offered by the different providers that will help to sway your decision.
Things to consider include whether:
- You need to pay a set up fee or connection charge before you can get online.
- A free modem or wireless router is included as part of your package.
- Phone or VoIP calls are incorporated.
- Any security features are provided.
- There is a minimum contract length.
- Any introductory discounts are available.
By spending a little time working out how you and the people you live with use the internet it’s going to be much easier to find the best broadband package that strikes an affordable balance between cost and access.
Carrying out a broadband comparison and going with a cheap broadband provider that offers the download and usage limits you need means you won’t be paying a penny more than you need to to get online.
