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Compare 12-month broadband deals

Our advice

Does BT broadband offer 12-month contracts?

Yes, BT’s minimum contract lengths are either 12 or 24 months from the date you start your service. BT’s 12-month deals include fibre and full-fibre speeds and prices start around £35, which is more than its 24-month contracts.

Do any providers offer 12-month student broadband deals?

The number of providers who offer specific student broadband deals is limited, but Virgin Media offers a 12-month contract which is only available for students. In London, the best 12-month contract provider is Community Fibre; 75 per cent of respondents to our survey* were satisfied with their service. For those in other areas of the UK, Hyperoptic is an affordable choice.

Explore our picks of the best 12-month broadband deals available in December

With her expert advice and knowledge, you can trust Gemma to guide you to the best broadband deal for your needs.

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When searching for a new broadband deal, price and speed are obvious factors to consider. But what about contract length? You don’t have to be tied down for 18 or 24 months. Instead, 12-month broadband deals offer reliable internet with greater flexibility, allowing you to move to a new, potentially cheaper provider after one year – without incurring any cancellation fees.

Our expert team breaks down everything you need to know about 12-month broadband contracts so you can find the right deal for your household.

Is a 12-month broadband deal right for me?

If you think you may need to switch providers or move home after a year, then 12-month broadband deals are worth considering. To ensure the smoothest experience possible when browsing the web, you should consider the type of broadband connection alongside a host of other factors.

Choosing a shorter contract provides a wealth of benefits but also some disadvantages. Here are some of the main things to consider when looking for the best 12-month broadband deal.

Pros

Better flexibility: if you’re only tied to a provider for one year, you can get a sense of its customer service and performance, and you can always leave after 12 months
Earlier opportunity to switch: if you’re not benefiting from the provider’s perks, customer service or advertised broadband speeds, having a 12-month contract can help negate cancellation fees, provided you only leave once your contract officially expires
Ideal for renters: if you’re a student or a renter, you can benefit from a 12-month broadband deal, as the contract can be terminated at the end of your tenancy. Some of the best student broadband deals have shorter contract terms while still providing adequate speeds

Cons

Can be more expensive: while not every provider offers 12-month broadband deals, the ones that do generally offer cheaper deals on longer contracts
Can require more effort to re-register: while you’re free to terminate your contact and sign up for new broadband deals, this takes time and effort
Can come with further setup costs: while there are broadband deals with no upfront costs, with some providers, you may find that you’re liable for additional charges. For example, some packages have installation, activation or delivery fees, which will occur more often if you’re frequently switching deals

What type of broadband can you get with a 12-month deal?

Broadband infrastructure is expanding throughout the UK, and residents can benefit from a wide range of broadband types when it comes to 12-month contracts.

Some providers offer full fibre broadband contracts, also known as fibre to the premises or FTTP broadband. Full fibre is the fastest type of broadband available in the UK, offering speeds upwards of 1,000Mbps, depending on the provider. This makes it the perfect type of broadband for gaming or for larger households with multiple internet users.

If you can’t get full fibre broadband, you can opt for 12-month fibre broadband contracts. This type of connection is sometimes referred to as fibre to the cabinet, or FTTC, and it offers speeds of up to 80Mbps for eligible households. Fibre is generally more affordable than a full fibre package, making it more beneficial for households on a budget. If you want to learn more about the difference between full fibre and fibre broadband, consult our guide.

You can also find standard broadband on a 12-month contract basis, although this is less popular than the faster options. Speeds for standard broadband, or ADSL, cap out at around 11Mbps, so it won’t be suitable for every household.

Mobile broadband is another great option, and it can be obtained via mobile broadband sims, dongles and portable hotspots. If you live in a rural area and don’t have access to a traditional broadband solution, you can also look into wireless broadband and satellite broadband.

Which providers offer 12-month broadband?

While not every provider in the country offers 12-month broadband deals, there are still a lot of companies to choose from.

Here are some of the best broadband providers that offer 12-month broadband deals in the UK, although keep in mind that not every provider will serve your area:

BT broadband
Community Fibre broadband
Hyperoptic broadband
Onestream broadband
Rebel broadband
Virgin Media broadband (only available for students)

12-month broadband deals FAQs

Once your 12-month broadband contract expires, you have a couple of options. You can choose to renew with your current broadband provider and sign on for another year, or you can switch to a new broadband plan. New plans can be taken out with your current provider or with a new company, giving you the opportunity to upgrade your plan to experience faster speeds or obtain additional services, such as a phone line or TV subscription.

Yes, you can cancel any broadband plan early, but you may be liable for cancellation fees. Cancellation charges vary between providers and will depend on how far into your contract you are and any additional services you may be receiving. To ensure a smooth transition when cancelling your broadband plan, you must inform your broadband provider as soon as possible.

Virgin Media only offers 12-month broadband contracts for students, and this covers the full standard academic year plus the summer.

Sky does not offer 12-month broadband contracts.

Several contract lengths are available from various providers; most notably, you can find broadband contacts lasting 18 or 24 months. Certain providers offer no-contract broadband offers, which roll over every month and negate cancellation charges, although the monthly fee is usually more expensive.

Gemma Ryles

Home Tech Writer

Gemma Ryles is a BJTC and PPA-accredited journalist with three years of experience writing across various publications. As a home tech expert at Independent Advisor, Gemma tests, researches and writes about broadband and home security.

Previously, Gemma reviewed and curated lists about consumer technology at Trusted Reviews, where she honed her skills in creating buying guides and features to help customers make informed decisions. She has previously worked at Yorkshire Post, BBC Yorkshire, Glitterbeam Radio and Bonus Stage.

Gemma has a BA in Journalism and in her free time can be found writing short stories, gaming and crocheting.

Molly Dyson

Senior Editor

After growing up with a passion for writing, Molly studied journalism and creative writing at university in her home country of the United States.

She has written for a variety of print and online publications, from small town newspapers to international magazines. Most of her 10-year career since relocating to the UK has been spent in business journalism, writing and editing for admin professionals at PA Life magazine and business travel managers at Business Travel News Europe and representing those titles at conferences around the world.

Now an Editor at the Independent Advisor, Molly is an expert in a broad range of consumer topics, that include solar panels and renewables, home improvements and home insurance, and consumer technology such as home security and VPNs.

In her free time, Molly can usually be found exploring the outdoors with her husband and their young son or gardening.