Broadband guide

The best TV and internet packages

Updated: Wednesday 16 May, 2012

By Helen Thomas

Find the best all-in-one TV and internet package, whether you want superfast broadband or all the HD channels.

Several major UK broadband providers offer digital TV that can be bundled with your internet service - offering hundreds of television channels as well as speeds of up to 100Mb broadband.

Each provider offers different services and has different strengths and weaknesses, so the best way to find the right service is to think about your needs and how you'll be using your digital TV and internet package.

The providers that offer internet and digital TV all-in-one packages are:

• BT broadband (www.BT.com)
• Sky broadband (www.Sky.com)
• Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com)

The best for broadband

Virgin Media outstrips the competition when it comes to broadband speeds. Using its cable network, the provider offers a range of superfast broadband packages;

• Up to 30Mb broadband
• Up to 60Mb broadband
• Up to 100Mb broadband

Virgin Media says that because of the fast cable network it uses to deliver broadband across more than half of the UK, customers can expect to receive more than 90% of their advertised speed. Ofcom speed tests found that customers signed up to Virgin Media’s 30Mb package were receiving average speeds even faster than those advertised.

However, Virgin Media's fibre network currently only covers around half of the UK - use the Broadbandchoices.co.uk postcode checker to see if Virgin Media is available in your area.

BT is also catching up with the roll-out of its Infinity fibre optic network, which will be available to two-thirds of the population by 2014. BT Infinity offers speeds of up to 38Mb and 76Mb as well as a 100Mb broadband fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connection. Customers on its non-fibre, ADSL packages can get speeds of up to 16Mb depending on their postcode.

Sky’s ADSL broadband packages offer a top speed of up to 14Mb, but its Unlimited tariff is one of the only truly unlimited broadband packages in the country - with no fair usage policy or traffic management - so you can stream and download films, TV and music to your heart’s content.

Sky also offers two fibre connections - also with unlimited usage allowances - with speeds of up to 38Mb and up to 76Mb. Initially available to around 30% of UK homes, coverage will increase as the BT fibre network - which Sky is using to deliver the connection - rolls out across the UK.

The best range of high-definition TV channels

If you're looking for best choice of high-definition (HD) channels, look no further than Sky. With more than 60 shiny HD channels on offer, it is the UK’s number one for super-sharp pictures and Dolby Digital sound.

You will have to pay an extra £10.25 a month on top of your Sky TV package for its HD pack though.

It might not have as many HD channels on offer, but Virgin Media does still boast 23 channels - and you can get free access to HD channels as an XL TV customer.

Unfortunately, BT is lagging behind on the HD channel front, though you can watch some catch-up services in high-definition or view high definition films on Vision Box office.

The best catch-up TV

With thousands of hours of on-demand TV and free access to the BBC iPlayer, Channel 4’s 4oD and the ITV Player direct to your TV, Virgin Media is a great choice if you want to break free of the TV schedule.

Virgin Media’s TiVo service makes its catch-up service better, with personalised recommendations and even more channel choice. TiVo allows you to record three things at once, and store up to 500 hours of standard TV.

However, the Sky Anytime+ service also offers a range of benefits, and taking both Sky TV and broadband allows you to connect your box to the internet to access thousands of hours of on-demand TV.

The BT Vision Replay pack offers selected catch-ups from the last seven days of BBC and Channel 4 TV. It also offers a variety of on-demand content at no extra cost for customers.

Freeview TV with internet

If you're looking for the cheapest internet and digital TV combo, then you should consider combining Freeview with a cheap broadband package.

Providers like Plusnet broadband (www.Plus.net) and TalkTalk broadband (www.Talktalk.co.uk) offer packages starting from just £6.49 and £6.50 a month respectively.

At the same time, Freeview gives you access to over 50 digital TV channels as well as four HD channels; BBC1 HD, BBC HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD.

You can also buy a Freeview+ box that will allow you to pause, rewind and record “live” TV. And once you've paid for your box, there are no ongoing contracts or subscription fees so your only monthly payment will be your internet connection.

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