Broadband Guide

Wireless broadband providers

Updated: Tuesday 04 January, 2011

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

Wireless broadband can make a huge difference to the way you use the internet at home, allowing you to connect multiple computers and devices without having to run wires round the house.

BT Broadband

BT's (www.BT.com) range of wireless services really let you take wifi to the next level. As well as letting you log onto the internet from anywhere within your home, its Home Hub also lets you make cheap UK and international calls over the internet using VoIP technology and you can even use it to watch digital TV using the BT Vision service.

You can also choose to share a part of your BT Total Broadband signal with other BT users via the BT Fon wireless hotspot network. The rest of your connection remains secure, but other members will be able to access the internet via your router - allowing you to do the same when you’re out and about.

If you want a fair-sized data allowance or “unlimited broadband” downloads - for example, Option 2, which comes with a 40GB monthly limit, costs £21.50 a month, while its Option 3 “unlimited” package costs £25.60 a month..

At the same time, BT remains popular because it provides high standards of customer service and is a known, reliable brand that people can trust. These packages are also perfect for families, or anyone a little unsure of the technical side of setting up a wi-fi network; the Home Hub comes with preconfigured security and great online safety features.

BT also now offers fibre optic broadband packages, with superfast speeds of up to 40Mb broadband from £25.60 a month for their “unlimited” service.

O2 Broadband

When O2 (www.O2.co.uk) launched its home broadband service in October 2007, it was determined not to make the mistakes of other broadband providers with erratic download speeds and expensive, sub-standard customer service and technical support.

And it seems to have succeeded. It has UK-based call centres that are free to call, a line checking service before and after your broadband has been installed to ensure you’re receiving an adequate speed for your location - and even a monthly discount for mobile phone customers.

All of O2’s packages come with speeds of up to 20Mb broadband. Its top two packages, The Works and The All Rounder also offer “unlimited” downloads, subject to a fair usage policy, while The Basics package comes with a 20GB download allowance.

All packages also all come with a free O2 wireless box, allowing you to connect multiple computers and wireless devices like games consoles and smartphones without running wires all around your home.

In terms of cost, O2 is very competitive - especially if you’re a mobile phone customer too, as you'll get an additional discount. The provider also offers the UK’s cheapest line rental at just £7.50 a month without inclusive calls. You can add evening and weekend calls for £2.50 a month or anytime landline calls for an extra £6 a month.

O2’s packages are suitable for anyone looking for a high standard of customer service and a reliable broadband connection - the provider has won the Broadbandchoices.co.uk customer satisfaction awards two years running.

BE Broadband

BE broadband (www.Bethere.co.uk) was the first ISP to offer speeds of up to 24Mb broadband and as its owned by O2, the O2 broadband service now runs on the BE network - so as you can imagine, it’s a reliable provider.

All three of its packages - Pro, Unlimited and Value come with a free wi-fi BE Box modem, allowing you to get online wire-free, quickly and easily.

All three packages also offer “unlimited” downloads subject to a generous fair usage policy, with the BE Value package offering speeds of up to 8Mb broadband, while the Unlimited and Pro packages come with speeds of up to 24Mb.

BE’s packages are suitable for anyone looking for a heavy-duty broadband package that can cope with all their needs, from online gaming to remote office access or heavy downloading.

AOL Broadband

AOL's (www.AOL.co.uk) lets you choose broadband, broadband and calls, or both services with line rental as well - and all three packages come with a free wireless router.

Its broadband service comes with speeds of up to 8Mb, and a relatively low 10GB monthly download allowance - so is best suited to light users who don’t want to spend a lot of time downloading music or watching online TV with the BBC iPlayer.

AOL is known for providing reliable customer service and its technical support is free when you call from an AOL line, making it ideal for technophobes. It also comes with free security and parental controls making it a great family choice.

Plusnet Broadband

Plusnet (www.Plus.net) offers two home broadband packages; each with speeds of up to 20Mb. The Value package, which starts from just £6.49 a month, comes with a 10GB monthly download allowance - though you also get free overnight downloads.

The Extra package offers a generous 60GB as well as the free downloads between midnight and 8am.

You can get a free wireless router when you sign a 12-month contract, or you can opt for a no contract package and either use your own router or pay £40 for a Plusnet model.

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