Consumer Guides Home Page

The top 10 things you hate about broadband…and how to fix them - What makes you really mad about broadband? We take a look at your top 10 gripes, and no-fuss ways to fix them...
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BroadbandChoices.co.uk Awards - The recent BroadbandChoices.co.uk awards, in conjunction with internet analysts PointTopic, named the UK’s favourite broadband providers listing ISPs for a number of categories including value for money, quality of service and after sales support.
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Top Five ISPs for Downloading - If you want to download lots of movies, music and all your missed favourites from the BBC iPlayer, you need a provider that’s fast, reliable and won’t penalise you for all your downloading.
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Top Tips for Downloaders - If you want to make the most of music and movie downloads, internet TV streaming and catch-up services like the BBC iPlayer and Channel 4’s 4oD, then you need to take a few steps to ensure that you don’t exceed your download limit or fair usage policy.
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How to Download TV Programmes - If you are planning to download your favourite television programme from the BBC you need to know a bit about how peer-to-peer (P2P) software works and how it uses space on your computer.
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Slow Broadband Speeds This guide offers suggestions for consumers frustrated by slow broadband speeds. We've listed steps to follow to hold your ISP accountable for slow broadband.
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Broadband Consumer Rights - guidance notes on how to resolve a number of common disputes and grievances that you might have with your ISP.
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Complaints Procedures - Have you been treated unfairly by your ISP? Learn how to maximise your chances of filing a successful complaint.
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Mobile broadband - A revolution is taking place in the broadband market, and fast, affordable mobile broadband truly is setting the internet free.
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Broadband without direct debit - If you don’t want to pay for your home broadband by direct debit, you could end up being charged extra by your provider.
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New ways to use your broadband - So you finally have your broadband connection up and running, allowing you speedy internet access. Are you utilising the bandwidth’s full potential?
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Business broadband - If you run a small or medium enterprise (SME), ensuring that you have the right broadband package can make a huge difference to your business.
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Bundles vs Solo Suppliers - Single companies want every slice of your home entertainment pie; they want to supply your broadband, home phone line and digital TV - Virgin Media will even incorporate your mobile phone into their 4 for £40 bundle - but is the convergence bubble about to burst?
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Family-friendly broadband - The internet is a great learning tool for kids, as well as an excellent way of keeping them occupied on rainy days. But as a parent you’ll have a few more concerns than the average broadband user.
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Switching Problems - The switching process is mostly simple and easy thanks to the new regulations introduced by Ofcom earlier this year. However, there are still a few problems, check out our guide to ensure you don’t have a bad switching experience.
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Bundle All The Way? - Things start to get complicated as you begin to add extra services to your bill, where you’ll need to look at the various options available and assess your own needs. Read our guide to choosing a broadband and digital TV service.
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Choosing a Phone and Broadband Bundle Phone and broadband bundling has become the latest big thing in the telecommunications market. As providers vie for a monopoly in your home, how do you get the best of both worlds?
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Contract Nasties to Watch Out for Whether you’re looking for your first broadband package, or want to switch away from your current provider for a better deal, there are a few things you should watch out for.
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Boost Your Internet Speed Frustrated with your slow connection speed? Before you switch to a faster, more expansive package, try these tricks to see if you can speed things up.
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What are the hidden costs of broadband? With so many “cheap” and “free” broadband offers around at the moment, there's bound to be the odd catch. So we put together a list of things to bear in mind so that you don’t get caught out with any hidden charges.
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Dealing with a "tag" on your phone line - (NEW) - If you’ve just moved into a new place and are trying to get your broadband up and running, or have cancelled your connection but now want to get broadband again, you might have been told that you already have a connection, an incompatible product or a “tag” on your line.
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Is 'Cheap Broadband', really worth it? When it comes to choosing a new broadband package, price is not the only thing that should be considered. You also need to take into account exactly what you could be sacrificing in the name of cheap internet....the articles the most important things to think about.
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Is 'Free Broadband', marketing hype? Talk Talk launched their “free broadband for all” offer in April 2006 and where they went, others followed. You can now also get free line rental. But is it worth it?
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Is 'Fair Usage' really fair? Have you signed up for an “unlimited” package? Most companies who sell an “unlimited” service also have what is called a “fair usage policy”.
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Broadband with no contract - UK broadband providers require you to sign up for 12 months and charge a hefty fee if you need to disconnect the service. If you’d like the freedom to switch broadband suppliers, or you’re planning to move house, there are some good alternatives available, but you have to know where to look.
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Should you ditch your dial up? - Of the estimated 14.3m UK households with an internet connection, 69 per cent now have broadband connections – but if you’re in that last 31 per cent that are still holding on to their trusty old dial up could it finally be time to upgrade?
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Pay as you go broadband - You might think of dial up as the only pay as you go option when it comes to accessing the internet, but pay as you go broadband is a good choice for many households.
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Why get a Static IP Address? - Of the estimated 14.3 million UK households with an internet connection, 69 per cent now use broadband (Ofcom, 2006). If you’re one of these millions of people, it could be time to take things even further with a static IP address.
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