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"Unlimited broadband" is a phrase that’s used a lot when companies advertise their internet packages but, to the uninitiated, it may mean very little. In fact, the phrase can be quite misleading, so BroadbandChoices has put together a guide to what it means and how to find it.
| Supplier | Speed (up to) | Usage limit | Contract length | Monthly charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband: XXL + Phone: XL + TV HD: XL | 50Mb | unlimited | 12 months | £3.01 for 2 months | |
| Home Max - Orange mobile customers only | 20Mb | unlimited | 18 months | £6.50 Call now for Exclusive Amazon Voucher | Call Orange on 0800 072 4137 |
| Standard - O2 mobile customers only | 8.2Mb | unlimited | 12 months | £7.50 £50 credit off your Mobile bill Ends 31/03/10 | Call O2 on 0800 028 2102 |
| Broadband + Phone - Pro | 24Mb | unlimited | 18 months | £14.99 Special Offer Free Connection Ends Soon | Call TalkTalk 0800 049 7843 |
| Unlimited (12 months) | 24Mb | unlimited | 12 months | £17.88 | Call Be on 0808 101 3421 |
| Option 3 Broadband (18 months) | 20Mb | unlimited | 18 months | £18.99 for 3 months | Call BT on 0800 028 2122 |
| Option 3 Broadband (18 months) | 8.2Mb | unlimited | 18 months | £18.99 for 3 months | Call BT on 0800 028 2122 |
Unlimited broadband packages allow you to download as much as you want. Almost all unlimited packages come with a fair usage policy, which may restrict your speeds at certain times of the day, or cap your downloads if you use the service excessively. Fair usage policies are standard across the industry.
Sky (www.Sky.com) is the only UK ISP to offer unlimited broadband without a fair usage policy - this offer is only available under its Broadband Max package. Compare best-selling broadband packages with no download limit above.
If your broadband package has a "download limit", this means you can download a certain amount of information from the internet. When you’re just reading an email, or this article, your usage won’t substantially increase. However, if you’re downloading a song, movie or photgraphs it could go up a lot.
If you choose unlimited broadband, your monthly subscription price will generally be higher than under a limited broadband plan. However, you’ll be able to use the internet as much as you like, subject to a fair usage policy.
Some limited broadband packages will offer you extra download space or time at an extra fee per minute. Not sure how much you are downloading? Use our Broadband download monitor to track how much you download each month to your PC.
Use the Broadbandchoices comparison service, we will tell you the download limit and fair usage policy for each UK broadband package.
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