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Broadband line installation

Our Broadband Expert says...

Dear Chanelle, there are a number of ways that you can get broadband at home. Most broadband connections use ADSL over the BT Broadband (www.BT.com) telephone network, so in order to use one of the ADSL providers you would need to have a standard phone line installed.

BT line installation

To have BT install a new telephone line it could cost you as much as £125 - though if there previously was a line in the house that simply needs reactivating, you might not have to pay at all.

A BT spokesperson said: “For most customers there is no problem coming back to BT and it shouldn’t cost them anything.

“Where a working line exists our intention is that reconnection should be free - but a charge of £125 applies where we have to involve an engineer. However in a small minority of situations such as where a customer is returning to join BT from a local loop unbundled (LLU) competitor our systems default to charging £125.

“We do intend to change this as soon as possible. It is one of a number of complex changes arising from BT Retail’s adoption of a new IT system to comply with its commitment to the regulator, Ofcom. In the meantime, our sales agents are briefed to be as a clear as possible so customers understand fully the price they will be charged.”

Sky line installation

Customers who do not have a line installed at their home can get free installation from Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com). Sky offers a range of home phone and broadband packages, as well as the digital TV that it’s known for.

However, you may be charged if you miss your initial installation appointment.

Sky offers “free broadband” on its 2Mb Base Broadband package, with a 2GB monthly download limit for occasional users, when taken with its Sky Talk, or £5 a month otherwise. Its Mid Broadband package offers speeds of up to 8Mb, with a 40GB download allowance for £5 a month with Sky Talk or £10 a month otherwise.

Finally, Sky offers the UK’s only truly unlimited broadband on its up to 16Mb Max Broadband package for £10 a month with Sky Talk, £15 a month otherwise.

Virgin Media cable lines

One alternative to ADSL broadband, which doesn’t need a “BT line”, is Virgin Media's (www.VirginMedia.com) cable network.

Although you can get discounts on its broadband packages by taking Virgin Media’s own telephone line for £11 a month, you don’t need the line to get a broadband connection, and standalone broadband is easily available.

Virgin Media’s L Broadband package, with speeds of up to 10Mb costs £15 a month for the first three months, £20 a month thereafter as a standalone product. Its XL Broadband, which comes with download speeds of up to 20Mb costs £30 a month for the first three months, £35 a month thereafter and finally its XXL Broadband with offers speeds of up to 50Mb - the UK’s fastest - costs £50 a month.

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband is another alternative to getting a landline installed for broadband.

Mobile broadband uses the mobile phone network to deliver a broadband signal to your computer via a mobile USB modem stick, or dongle.

There are a range of different providers and packages available to meet different budgets and download needs. However, since speeds and connections can vary widely in different parts of the country, it’s essential to compare mobile broadband network coverage before signing a contract.

Mobile broadband download limits are far lower than most fixed-line connections - most offer 3GB a month, though some packages do offer as much as 15GB a month. This means that you need to keep an eye on how much you download and make sure that you never exceed your limit - because out of bundle charges can be very expansive.

Use our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep track of downloads and set alarms to make sure you never go over your limit.

NB Best buy tables (orange background) are always current.

Examples in the text of the article (white background) 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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