Finding the right broadband provider

Choosing a broadband provider can be difficult. With so many different options and offers, how do you ever know if you’re getting a good deal? There are six key things to bear in mind – get these right and you’ll end up with a package that suits you.

You need to think about:

• Landline connection
• Length of contract
• Usage limits
• Connection speed
• Family access

Landline connection

Yes

Askyourself: do you need a landline or not? Do you already have an active one? If youanswered yes to both questions, then you should consider getting broadband thetraditional way – through aphone line connection.

Receiving broadband via ADSL, which isa term used to describe the aforementioned phone line connection, will give youfaster Internet and a higher download limit other types of broadband, forinstance mobile or satellite.

It’s worth noting that if you do nothave an existing landline, installation can cost around £125, while monthlyline rental bills can be as high as £15 a month before you’ve even begun to payfor your broadband subscription. Cancellation fees also exist if you end upchanging your mind.

Mostpopular UK ADSL broadband providers: BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, John LewisBroadband.

No

Having said that, if your broadband requirementsare relatively light, for example checking emails, downloading small files, etc,mobile broadband can be a great option. It can give you Internet access androaming flexibility with no need for a landline at all. The answer to thelandline or no landline question really depends on your usage requirements.

Mostpopular UK mobile broadband providers: Three, Vodafone, O2, EverythingEverywhere (Orange and T-Mobile).

Your other two options are cable orsatellite broadband. The biggest cable provider in the UK is Virgin Media.Virgin Media’s fibre optic service offers lighting quick connection speeds, butthis comes at a price and is not available everywhere. Meanwhile satellitebroadband is great for those who live in rural areas and don’t have manyproviders supplying broadband services to their home. One of the most popularsatellite broadband providers in the UK is Tooway.

Length of contract

The main thing to consider in relationto contract length is this: how certain are you that your broadbandrequirements/ circumstances will remain the same for the next two years?

Longer contracts mean cheaper monthlyfees, so tying yourself down to a 24-month broadband contract is going to workout cheaper in the long run and might even land you some handy freebies fromyour Internet service provider.

However, if you suddenly find yourselfneeding to be free of your contract after 12 months, you may be required to buyout the rest of the contract, rendering the whole process an expensive lessonin misadventure. Make sure your circumstances suit a lengthy contract beforeyou enter into one, and remember that some providers offer reasonably pricedrolling, single-month contracts for those that require them.

Providerswhich offer broadband on a monthly rolling basis: Plusnet, O2, Be Broadband.

Usage limits

Be extra careful when reading the fineprint on your contract, this is where the hidden usage limits will be found. Ifyou’ve analysed your usage requirements and found that you only require a smallmonthly download limit, it may be profitable to opt for a low usage limit inexchange for low monthly fees. In which case the usage limit will be clearlyadvertised and there will be no problem.

However, if you purchase unlimitedInternet, be certain to scour that contract thoroughly, as this is wherecompanies can hit you with additional charges. The introduction of a 'fairusage policy' to unlimited broadband contracts enables companies to charge youor restrict your service if you go over a certain usage limit each month,despite apparently offering a service with no such limits.

The government is planning to crackdown on this, but in the meantime, be sure to read the small print!

Broadband speeds

The first question you need to askyourself in relation to broadband speed is how fast do you need your connectionto be?

If you are a light Internet user –opening emails, checking Facebook etc – a connection of below 10Mbps willsuffice. If your usage is slightly heavier – watching BBC iPlayer occasionally,uploading videos to YouTube – a connection of between 10 and 25Mbps will do thetrick. If you’re a big gamer or someone who likes to be constantly downloading,something even faster might be more up your street.

The next thing to do is to ascertainexactly how quick your broadband speed will be. If you’re looking at a fibreoptic package, this will be relatively simple as the nature of fibre opticbroadband prevents signal deterioration and ensures that the connection speedreceived should be very close tothe one advertised.

However, ADSL broadband is lessefficient. Through clever marketing, Internet service providers are able toadvertise connections with high 'up-to' speeds, but which actually provide afar slower connection, sometimes even below the government recommended minimumof 2Mbps.

Always remember to ask for a localservice estimate from your broadband provider before signing up to an ADSLbroadband contract.

Mostpopular fibre broadband providers to look at: Virgin Media, BT, Sky and JohnLewis Broadband.

Bestbudget fibre providers: TalkTalk and Plusnet.

Family access

This is a relatively simple one: whatdoes your family need from a broadband connection?

If you’ve got teenage kids, nothingshort of a fast broadband connection will do. This enables them to fulfil alltheir gaming, movie downloading and blogging needs without their usage creatinga lag when the time comes for you to use the Internet. Fibre optic packages –if available in your area – are ideal for this.

If you have small children, parentalcontrols are available that give you the peace of mind that your little onesaren’t visiting any Internet sites they shouldn’t be. This software is providedfor free with some contracts, while other providers may charge extra for this.

Mostpopular parental control software: TalkTalk’s Homesafe

A few things to think about

• Receivingmultiple services such as digital TV, broadband and telephone as part of abundle from a single provider can save consumers almost £278* a year in somecases.
• Internetservice providers such as Primus, TalkTalk, Plusnet and Direct Save Telecomhave a reputation for providing high quality deals on a budget, so contactingthese providers early in your search could save you time as well as money.
• Mobilebroadband is often a cheaper option if your usage requirements are only light.Always check your personal usage levels before investing in a new broadbandcontract.

Ifyou’re unsure which deal to go for, call our independent switching helpline, on0800 977 5719

* 20%of Simplifydigital customers received an average saving of £278 per year. Databased on 2186 Simplifydigital records between 01 September 2012 – 31st December2012.