How to Compare Broadband Offers

Since so many British providers offer multiple options, it can be very difficult to choose a broadband plan that fits your needs. Here are the main factors to consider when buying home broadband.

Average broadband download speed

Until recently, broadband service providers could simply advertise their “Before” speeds. However, under recent rules, they must now specify “average speed.”

Average speed is defined as a speed that at least 50% of customers reach during peak hours. Ofcom, the UK government’s regulator, sets peak hours from 8pm to 10pm.

Despite the change, the actual speed you reach will of course depend on a number of factors, including:

Connection type, such as cable or fiber
How far your home is from the phone station
The area where you live
The time you use the connection
In general, the higher the average speed, the more expensive the plan. What speed you need depends on how you use it.
If you just want to browse the web and occasionally receive emails, a standard broadband connection may be enough. On the other hand, if you want to broadcast music and movies, play online games, or have a family that uses multiple devices at the same time, you need a much faster fiber connection.

You can always upgrade your broadband connection if it’s too slow, but there may be additional costs if you do so in the middle of your contract.

Type of broadband plan

Broadband providers typically offer three types of plans:

Broadband only
Broadband and phone
Broadband Internet and phone with TV
Because broadband typically requires a telephone connection, few of them offer a broadband connection. If you compare broadband, you’ll see that most plans automatically include a Wi-Fi router, a rental line and some kind of call plan.
A number of providers will also offer a TV package in addition to broadband and phone connection.

Delivery of a box capable of recording TV shows for several hours.
Opportunity for boxing to rewind and pause live
Watch Freeview channels
Subscriptions to premium channels such as Sky Sports, BT Sport or Movies
The ability to watch additional TV shows and programs on demand.
Broadband contract expiration date
Once you’ve signed up for a broadband plan, you’ll have a cooling off period that needs to be canceled. However, if you decide that you no longer need a plan or want to switch to a new provider, you can charge early cancellation penalties,

That’s why it’s important to make sure that you’re happy with the length of your contract and the terms of that contract.

In general, broadband providers offer the following contract options:

12-month contract
18-month contract
24-month contract
No contract
An option without a contract is exactly what you need. You pay monthly until you decide you don’t need them. However, the number of options without a contract usually increases from month to month compared to the longer contract period.
Broadband installation costs

These are the costs that the provider charges you upfront for installing a broadband connection and/or package cost and delivery to deliver the equipment to your home.

Some vendors do not charge for installation or sometimes offer to turn on the installation for free.

Monthly expenses

This is the monthly amount you pay for a broadband connection.

After reviewing all of the above, limit your choice to a few packages that fit your needs. You can then compare the additional features and benefits in addition to the basic selection criteria.

You should also consider the cost of phone calls, whether the plan includes free calls at weekends or evening hours, channels available when selecting a TV plan, TV box functionality and the proposed parental control with your broadband connection.