O2 broadband

Launched in 2007, O2 has been a consistently high performing broadband provider, winning a host of awards for its service.

In March 2013, O2 broadband and its sister company BE broadband were sold to telecoms giant, Sky.

O2 says that this is to allow them to focus on delivering the best mobile experience - including next generation (4G) services - to their mobile customers.

O2 says: "Demand for high quality internet access is increasing all the time. Sky focuses on offering, totally unlimited broadband, including unlimited fibre services. All of which are available with or without Sky TV."

Sky will be in contact with O2's existing broadband customers - before their service is switched later in 2013 - to outline their options.

Not everyone has welcomed the news of the takeover. Some customers have expressed concern that O2's previously excellent service standards with not be met by Sky. However, O2 says "[Sky] also share our commitment to you [our customers], recently being recognised by Ofcom for their excellent broadband customer service."

Upsides to the takeover include the potential option for O2 broadband customers to bundle Sky TV with their broadband, which may reduce the cost of their combined broadband, phone and TV services. It will also mean Sky's fibre broadband network will become available for BE broadband customers.

O2 Broadband packages

O2 Broadband's packages remain unchanged at present despite the sale to Sky.

O2 has a range of competitively priced packages, with a discount for existing O2 mobile customers. The network offers some of the best value broadband packages for customers already on, or willing to take, a mobile phone from O2.

Since launching in 2007, O2 has quickly established itself as a fast, reliable broadband provider with excellent customer service - picking up plenty of awards along the way.

The O2 Broadband service

O2 offers three broadband packages, priced differently depending on whether or not you are also an O2 mobile phone customer.

All three packages come with speeds of up to 16Mb. Its top two packages, The All Rounder and The Works both come with "truly" unlimited broadband, while The Basics package includes a 20GB monthly download allowance.

O2 will conduct a line test before connecting you, and let you know what kind of speeds to expect - to make sure that you sign-up to the most appropriate package.

All customers also receive a free wireless router. O2 provides a standard router for customers on The Basics package, and a double-strength wireless router for customers paying extra for The All Rounder or The Works.

You will also receive free, 24-hour technical support and customer service from a UK-based call centre, as well as free McAfee security software, free web texts and various added extras for O2 mobile phone customers.

O2 offers two contract lengths - either 30 days or 12 months. You'll pay the same monthly fee no matter which length contract you sign up for, but customers choosing the "rolling" 30-day contract option will have to pay a connection fee.

Non-O2 mobile customers pay £5 a month more than those with an O2 phone. Non-O2 customers must also pay a fee if they want to sign up. This is in addition to the 30-day contract connection fee if you don't want to sign a longer contract.

O2 Broadband phone number

You can call O2 Broadband on 0800 028 2102

O2 Broadband benefits

Pay monthly and pay-as-you-go mobile customers can not only take advantage of cheaper broadband costs, but can also have emails from their O2 accounts pushed forward to their mobiles for free, as well as free texts from their PC every month.

Compare providers and packages in your area with our postcode checker.

O2 mobile broadband

In addition to O2's home broadband service, there are also a range of O2 mobile broadband deals to choose from, available on either a pay-as-you-go or pay monthly basis.

Please note that while some mobile broadband provider allow you to top-up your USB dongle with vouchers, the only option for O2 customers is to purchase more credit on the internet.

How do I top-up my O2 dongle?

If you're an O2 mobile broadband customer, you can add credit to your account by logging in to the mobile broadband area of O2's website, which is accessible for users to check and top-up their balance even when it's at zero.

You will need to enter your mobile broadband number and make your purchase with a credit or debit card. Unfortunately, with O2 mobile broadband there is no alternative method.

Use our price calculator to compare mobile broadband from other providers.

Where can I find my O2 mobile broadband number?

When you access the O2 website to top-up your pay-as-you-go mobile broadband account, you will be asked to enter a mobile broadband number. This can be found on the holder your Pay & Go sim card arrived in. Alternatively, in O2 Connection Manager, you'll find it by going to Settings > My Details.

O2 Home Phone

To potentially save even more money, you can also take advantage of the O2's broadband and home phone bundle. Line rental is priced at just £7.50 a month without any inclusive calls, or you can pay an extra couple of pounds each month for evening and weekend calls to be thrown in. For anytime calls it will cost upwards of £5 extra each month.

O2 Broadband awards and accreditations

• Best Overall Provider - broadbandchoices Customer Satisfaction Awards 2012
• Winner - Quality and reliability, Customer service in the broadbandchoices 2012 Customer Satisfaction Awards.
• Highly commended - Value for money, Speed of activation, Quality of router, Online security features, Broadband speeds in the broadbandchoices 2012 Customer Satisfaction Awards.
• Recommended Provider - 75% satisfaction in the Which? Customer Satisfaction Survey 2011
• Winner - Value for money, Customer Service and Online Help - Which? Best Buy 2009

Our broadband expert's verdict

Michael Phillips, managing director of broadbandchoices, said: "O2 has consistently delivered a multi-award winning service to its broadband customers since its launch in 2007 - and it's been hard to beat. However it is due to undergo some changes following the sale of the broadband and home phone arms of O2's business to Sky. We will watch developments with the service with interest."

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