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No contract broadband

Our Broadband Expert says...

While there are a number of different providers that offer no contract broadband packages, but first you need to decide whether you want a fixed line or mobile broadband connection.

Fixed-line broadband packages

If you want a home broadband connection that offers faster speeds and a higher download allowance than most mobile broadband packages, then Plusnet Broadband (www.Plus.net), which offers the UK’s cheapest standalone broadband package as well as home phone and line rental bundles, is a great choice.

All of its packages come with a rolling one month contract option, though you will have to pay a £40 connection fee and get your own route - though Plusnet can provide one for £20.

Plusnet has won a host of awards for its customer service, making it a great choice for broadband first-timers. Its Value package comes with up to 8Mb broadband speeds and a 10GB monthly download allowance - which should be more than enough for your parents’ broadband needs.

Other suppliers that offer short home broadband contracts include BE Broadband (www.BeThere.co.uk), with its three month rolling packages. However, these are only available on its 24Mb Unlimited and Pro packages, which might be a bit above your parents’ needs.

Connection and exit fees

Whenever you sign up to a “no contract” home broadband package, there’ll be some sort of additional fee to pay. Whether it’s a connection fee, like Plusnet, or an exit fee - or even a slightly higher monthly charge, like BE, you'll have to pay extra for the flexibility of having a shorter contract.

Mobile broadband

A good way to avoid these charges is to choose a pay-as-you-go mobile broadband tariff or a rolling one month contract.

These deals offer great value, without having to commit to a long contract, and the only additional fee you'll have to pay is for your dongle, which start at as little £9.99.

Although mobile download allowances are often too low for most people to use as a replacement for their home connection, it can be great for occasional, first-time broadband users like your parents.

3 Mobile Broadband (www.Three.co.uk) currently offers a rolling one month contract that comes with a 5GB download allowance for just £15 a month and Orange Mobile Broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) also offers rolling contracts.

Alternatively, T-Mobile Mobile Broadband (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) and O2 Mobile Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) both offer simple, pay-per-day, week or month mobile broadband deals, so if your parents only go online occasionally, they could pay as little as £2 a day as and when they go online.

Read our broadband reviews to see what other customers think of their broadband providers.

NB Best buy tables are always current.

Examples in the text of the article are correct at time of publication.

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If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at OurExpert@broadbandchoices.co.uk

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