Best broadband deals
Are you looking for the best broadband deal? Find a plan that works for you, whether you're looking for speed, value or flexible contracts.
Best broadband speeds
If the speed of your connection is your primary concern when looking for a broadband package, fibre optic broadband is worth considering. Fibre optic broadband does not suffer from the same speed degradation issues as broadband received via your telephone line. This means that the connection speeds you will receive with fibre broadband packages will be much closer to the advertised speeds than you tend to get with ADSL connections.
Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) delivers the UK's fastest broadband speeds according to Ofcom's latest speed tests. However, Virgin Media's fibre optic network isn't available everywhere in the UK. Visit www.VirginMedia.com to check coverage and availability for your postcode.
BT (www.bt.com) is investing heavily in its own fibre network and also offers a range of superfast broadband packages of up to 38Mb and 76Mb. The BT Infinity network is currently available to around 40% of the population, however coverage will increase to two-thirds of the population by 2014.
Unlimited downloads
Although Virgin Media's deals come with "unlimited downloads" some packages are subject to a fair usage policy - if you are a heavy downloader, make sure you check the details for your specific package.
Sky (www.Sky.com) offers truly unlimited downloads on all of its packages - with no extra charges or throttling no matter how high your usage.
BT (www.BT.com) also offers a range of totally unlimited packages available. Its Unlimited Broadband packages, which offer download speeds of up to 16Mb, as well as its BT Infinity fibre optic broadband packages.
Plusnet (www.plus.net) also has a truly unlimited option available.
Popular broadband deals
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Monthly cost: £3.25
(for 12 months)
1st year cost: £39.00
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Monthly cost: £14.50
(free for 6 months)
1st year cost: £87.00
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Monthly cost: £7.50
1st year cost: £92.18
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Monthly cost: £16.00
(free for 6 months)
1st year cost: £102.95
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| speed up to 14 Mb | speed up to 30 Mb | speed up to 14 Mb | speed up to 16 Mb |
| Eve & wknd calls inc. | Weekend calls inc. | Weekend calls inc. | Weekend calls inc. |
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Call TalkTalk on 0800 049 7843 |
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Call Virgin Media on 0800 098 8203 |
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Call Sky on 0844 241 1407 |
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Best value broadband
Every year, broadbandchoices asks thousands of customers to rate their broadband providers across a range of categories, including value for money.
In the latest awards Plusnet took top honours in the value for money category. O2 and Orange were also highly commended in the category.
Best contract flexibility
Broadband providers normally require a minimum 12-month contract, and can be 18 months or more in some cases, leaving you tied up and at risk of a hefty charge if you want to end the contract early. However, a small number of "no contract" and short contract options are available.
BE broadband (www.bethere.co.uk) offers 3 month contracts on its Unlimited and Pro packages.
Plusnet is one of only a few providers to offer a "no contract" option. If you pay upfront for your router and broadband activation, after just 30 days you able to leave at any point with just 10 days notice.
However, bear in mind that shorter contracts may mean higher monthly charges, so make sure that a longer contract is definitely not for you before you take the plunge.
Best broadband provider
O2, Plusnet, BT and Virgin Media all performed well in the 2012 broadbandchoices awards. O2 was awarded overall winner for all providers - however it has since sold the broadband and home phone branches of its business to Sky.
In the digital TV categories, Sky was the stand out provider winning four of the six categories, including that of overall winner.
