Hidden costs of broadband

For example, 10 calls to a helpline, for 10 minutes each time, at 10p a minute, would add another £10 to your bill - a charge for advice that some companies give out for next to nothing, or even for free if you're with O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk), which offers UK-based technical support for free.

Take a look at our Broadband Comparison Calculator and click on the package name for a full breakdown of charges and call centre opening hours.

Connection and cancellation charges

All ADSL providers have to pay BT to connect you, but many will regain this cost through your monthly payments over the course of the next 12, 18 or even 24 months. However, some of the cheaper packages will still charge a connection or set-up fee when you join.

This is also often the case with "no-contract" or short contract broadband packages such as those offered by O2 broadband (www.O2.co.uk) and Plusnet (www.Plus.net).

If you've found a "no contract" broadband package that hasno connection fee, make sure that you read the small print, as you'll probably be charged an exit fee instead.

Click here to read more about no contract broadband packages.

However, if you want to cancel because of poor service, you could contact us, or get in touch with Ombudsman Services: Communications, the telecommunications industry's watchdog, or Ofcom. If you want legal advice, try the Which? Legal Service for over-the-phone advice at for a small fee.

Hardware

Most providers will give a free modem and wireless router when you take up a broadband contract but, depending on your needs, you might end up paying for extra hardware if you need it.

Also remember that some providers will offer you a free modem, but will then charge you for postage, and you could have to pay around £14.99 for delivery of any "free" laptop or games console you get with your new broadband package.

Check out our guide to find out more about wireless broadband.

Securing your PCs

Not all providers provide security as part of their broadband packages, but good anti-virus software and a firewall are essential. Without them, you could be exposed to virus attacks, bank fraud and identity theft.

Some broadband packages do come with free virus protection, while others will offer only a trial version. If you don't get free protection with your monthly subscription, market leaders Norton (www.Symantec.com) and McAfee (www.McAfee.com) charge around £50 a year for full internet security.

But there are also free options for protecting your PC. For instance, modern Windows packages include a free firewall that's quick and easy to set up. Avast also offers free protection software.

Line rental

Headline rates don't include the line rental that almost all copper wire ADSL customers will have to pay in order to connect to the internet.

However, there are now a couple of ways around paying themonthly line rental fees to BT for a line you might only be using for your broadband connection.

Mobile broadband from providers such as T-Mobile (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) and Three (www.Three.co.uk) allow you to cut out your line rental completely. For your set monthly fee you'll receive a dongle or USB modem stick that you plug into your laptop, allowing you to connect to the internet - no matter where you are.

However, you need to make sure that you check the mobile broadband coverage in your area before signing up as it can be patchy in rural areas. You also need to keep an eye on your downloads as mobile broadband packages have far lower allowances than traditional home broadband connections.

Otherwise, cable company Virgin Media doesn't use the BT copper wire network, so you could get a standalone cable broadband package too.

Some ADSL providers also offer their own line rental, which can sometimes cut costs.

The way you pay

Most companies only give you the option of paying via direct debit, and some providers might charge a premium if you want to pay any other way, including extra monthly fees.

You might also have to pay a surcharge if you want to receive paper bills.

However, the Post Office (www.PostOffice.co.uk) has made a positive move by offering packages where you can pay by cash or cheque in your local Post Office without an extra fee.

Remember

Best value doesn't always mean cheapest. Look beyond the price and get a package that really suits you, thinking about your needs as a user. For example, if you're a technophobe, you could benefit from packages that offer cheaper support and free security.

You should also think about whether or not you could save even more by bundling your home communication and entertainment services. If you currently take your phone line, broadband and digital TV from two or three different providers, the chances are that you could save money and get a better service by taking a bundle from Sky, BT or Virgin Media.