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Deals can help you get better quality broadband for less. Use our tool to find the best broadband deals for you.
There’s no definitive broadband deal that’s universally the best in the UK. Instead, you’ll have to find one that works best with your requirements and needs. That’s why it’s so important to compare broadband deals.
You need to consider a lot when finding the right broadband deal, as various factors play a part in dictating a package’s value to you. Use our guide to help you better compare and find the best broadband deal in 2024.
When you get broadband, there’s an opportunity to buy it alongside some other services and products. When you buy broadband with these other services, it’s known as a package.
Packaged together, all your services will be part of one contract, meaning that you pay just one bill each month, making it much easier to manage.
Having a broadband package with other services can also be a bit cheaper than if you got all the services separately, not to mention that if anything goes wrong and you need support, you’ll easily be able to contact the same customer service team for all your services.
You don’t have to bundle your broadband into a package, and you can get a service that just has broadband and nothing else. However, when comparing broadband, it’s important that you’re aware of packages and don’t make the mistake of comparing broadband-only deals with packaged deals, as you won’t get a fair reflection on value.
A broadband package can offer great value to you. However, you will need to be careful and think about your requirements. If you’re getting a package but don’t intend to use one of the services often, you’ll likely end up wasting money on something you don’t need.
When getting broadband, there are multiple different packages that you can get, all offering something slightly unique. These packages are tiered, with the more expensive packages including everything in the cheaper packages with added extras.
The cheapest base package that you can get is one that only offers broadband. On the other end of the scale, you can also get a more comprehensive package that offers broadband and a phoneline, digital TV, and even mobile data with some providers.
It’s a good idea to properly understand each package so that you can compare the best broadband packages for you.
This broadband package is best suited to customers who only want a broadband connection and aren’t interested in additional products like a phoneline or digital TV.
These packages are the simplest, as you’re only getting one product, and they can be pretty cheap.
Do note that you won’t be able to get this package if your internet connection requires a phone line. Most types of broadband use a copper wire to provide some of the connection, meaning that you’ll need a phone line activated for it to work.
The only time you don’t need a phone line is when you’re getting FTTP, a type of fibre broadband directly wired to the home and not a cabinet. These connections don’t use a phone line.
Because an FTTP connection is one of the fastest broadband available, it may actually be more expensive getting this package than it will be getting a package that includes the phone line as well, so it’s worth checking.
This package is one of the most common packages available in the UK and bundles your broadband with a phoneline, giving you access to a wired landline that can be used to make calls.
With a phone line being a requirement for most broadband to work, this bundle makes things a lot more straightforward and simple.
Plus, many people value having a landline to call on, especially when certain providers offer free minutes in certain situations.
When getting broadband with a phone line, be aware of any charges’ costs, as this could make the bundle more expensive. For example, calls after a specific time may charge you, and calling numbers outside the UK can also build up costs.
In addition to being able to bundle a phoneline, it’s also possible to add digital TV into your package. Not all providers offer this bundle, and the industry leaders that offer digital TV are Virgin, Sky, and BT Broadband.
If you’re looking for entertainment and have already planned to upgrade from Freeview TV, then this package can be a great way to save money. However, when choosing your provider for this package, you need to know what’s on offer and how their pricing system works.
For example, the channels you can get via BT are drastically different from Sky, with BT having Sports and Entertainment channels that you can’t obtain with Sky, and visa versa. You’ll need to think about what shows and sports you value the most when choosing your package.
Broadband, phoneline, and TV packages can get a bit pricey because some providers require you to pay for different TV bundles. For example, with Sky, you’re able to purchase just a Sports bundle and not have access to their prime entertainment channels. This can be good as it helps you tailor your service, but if you want all the channels with no restrictions, it will cost you a lot more.
The most complete package you can get with a broadband bundle is one that includes all the previous services in addition to mobile data.
With this package, you can get a mobile connection that lets you contact others and browse the internet when you’re not at home.
This bundle is only offered by a select few providers who operate a mobile network, meaning that there’s not much of a choice when comparing this package. Because of how it provides all your telecom services, this package is likely to be pretty expensive.
When trying to find the right deal for you, there’s a lot you need to consider so that you don’t overspend on broadband that doesn’t suit you. Consider the following when looking for the best deals:
When choosing a broadband package, you must always be aware of your budget and compare products that are appropriate to your financial situation. It can be tempting to pay more to ensure that you get faster speeds or more services, but this can be a mistake, especially if you’re overpaying for a service you don’t need.
On average, a UK household pays around £30-£45 on their broadband. It’s possible to spend a lot less than this by getting broadband-only packages, while some other packages can be even more expensive.
To ensure you’re getting a good value for money, try not to spend more than this national average.
Consider your needs when deciding how much you should pay for your broadband. You can save a lot of money getting slower broadband that can easily handle your requirements.
Broadband comes at multiple speeds, meaning each package you can get is unique and offers a slightly different service. The speed of your broadband dictates how quickly data can be downloaded and streamed, so the faster the broadband speed, the better your internet will perform and the larger files you can download.
When figuring out which speeds you need, it’s crucial to think about your usage, as certain functions and activities need different speeds.
If you’re a light internet user, meaning that you don’t go online often and only check emails or shop online when you are online, then a low speed of 10Mbps will suit you and supply a speed that can handle these tasks.
If you’re in a single household and use the internet more regularly to stream films and TV, browse social media, or play games, you may need a quicker speed of at least 30Mbps.
For those in households with multiple users who will all be accessing the internet simultaneously, a more robust speed of around 60Mbps will be your minimum requirement to ensure that there’s no buffering.
Plus, if you’re a heavy internet user where multiple people are streaming in 4K at once, or if you need broadband for an office, then you’ll need a speed of over 100Mbps to handle that demand.
To make sure that you get quality internet service, you need to get a broadband speed that meets your demands. Although you need to avoid getting a speed that’s too quick as it could be expensive, you should also not get a speed that’s too slow in an attempt to save money.
When considering broadband speeds, it’s all about finding that goldilocks zone where it’s just right for your current and potential future requirements.
When getting a broadband package, you’ll need to consider who will use the service and how many people will be reliant on the broadband.
The more people in your household that will be using it, the more speed you’ll need to ensure that there are no buffering or slowdowns.
You’ll also need to think about the usage that all these people are going to need. This is because a lot of packages will have usage limits, meaning that once you’ve used a certain amount of data, you’ll have to pay extra. It works very similarly to if you go over your mobile data limit on your mobile, and the extra amount you have to pay will be added to your monthly bill.
Think about the number of people using your broadband and get a package that has the most appropriate usage limit to make sure you don’t get extra charges. Most people will choose with unlimited broadband, as this ensures that you can use the broadband as much as you like without any repercussions.
You should also consider the age of the users when getting a broadband package. If you have young children and want to restrict what they can access, many broadband providers offer parental controls to help keep your family safe when online.
When looking for broadband deals, it can be easy to get sucked into a package that you don’t need just because it offers various services and seems like a good value option.
To help you choose the right broadband package for you and to help you compare products in a smart way, you need to think about what you actually need.
For example, if you use streaming services like Netflix as your main source of entertainment, or watch films via Blueray DVDs, then it’s unlikely that you need a package that includes digital TV. If you have a mobile and use that as your main contact number, then it’s unlikely that you’ll need a package that includes a landline.
You must evaluate what you use and need and decide if a service will significantly benefit your life. There are situations where a package deal can be a good option, such as if you’re a massive sports fan and want to follow games live through either Sky or BT.
No one provider has universal coverage in the UK. There will be some areas where a single provider can’t offer broadband for one reason or another. This means that in your area, there’s a possibility that you may not be able to get a certain broadband provider.
For example, because Virgin uses its own network, just over 50% of UK households can obtain Virgin Fibre broadband, meaning that if you want one of their packages, you’ll first need to check if it’s available to you.
Generally, if you live in a built-up town or city close to high-population hubs, you’ll likely have a great choice of different broadband providers and packages. However, if you live somewhere more rural, there’s a big chance that your options will be limited.
Your location doesn’t just dictate what providers you can get; it can also dictate the maximum broadband speeds you can obtain.
For example, if you live in an area that uses copper wires to provide phone lines and broadband, you won’t be able to achieve the top broadband speeds, even if you get FTTC fibre broadband. This is because copper wires will slow the connection down, impacting performance.
This means that there’s no point in getting premium broadband in these areas because you’re unlikely to get a broadband performance that matches what you’re paying.
When getting a broadband package, you want to make sure that you’re using a provider that offers helpful and useful customer support that is both easy to reach and that can get you solutions to your problems in a timely manner.
Although in an ideal world, you won’t have any issues with your broadband package that requires customer service, over the course of your contract, there’s a chance that something will go wrong, and it’s nice to have that support available.
Some customer service is better than others, so it’s important to look at different reviews to understand what you can expect from each provider. Websites such as Trustpilot are a great way to see how each provider scores and they can also be a great place to see what common issues occur for each provider. When looking at broadband provider scores, make sure to compare them with other broadband providers to get a fair reflection.
Be sure to also check how you contact customer services and what channels they provide. Most will have a call centre that you can phone, but others will also have online chatbots that you can use to solve simple queries quickly.
When you get a broadband package, you must ensure that the contract length suits you and your needs. Most contacts run between 12 months to 24 months, meaning they’re long-term commitments, so you need to be sure that the provider is right for you.
If you’re someone who likes the idea of switching broadband to try and find the cheapest deal, it’ll suit you to get smaller contracts so that you can switch more often. If you’re also renting a property and are unsure if you’re going to be there for the duration of your contract, it can be more beneficial to get a smaller contract too. Although you can move home and keep the same broadband, it’s possible that the service isn’t as good in your new house.
On the other hand, if you’re settled in your home and want to commit to a broadband package for the long term, then a longer contract may be cheaper and give you discounts. This is done to entice you to stay with the provider for longer, but if you’re happy with the service, this can be a good option.
The broadband deals that you can get will change and alter between different providers. As each company competes against each other, they’ll all offer something different and unique to help give them the edge.
This results in there being various broadband packages from each provider that can suit you. Here’s a look at the top providers and an overview of the packages you can get to better understand the market and help you find the best broadband deal for you.
BT offers bundles that can include just broadband all the way up to broadband, landline and TV. Currently, BT is the most popular broadband provider in the UK, serving millions of people nationwide.
BT can attribute some of its popularity to the fact that BT is widely available in the UK. Using its Openreach network, most people can get BT, meaning that most people are able to consider the packages that they offer.
BT is great for those who want a steady connection. Although they can’t give you the fastest speeds on the market, BT does offer packages that include fibre optic, meaning that they’re great for users who need between 30-60Mbps.
No matter what package you get with BT, they run a Stay Fast Guarantee. This is where they monitor your average speeds to ensure that it’s matching the package you paid for. If it drops below a certain speed, an engineer will come to fix things for you at no extra cost.
BT’s TV bundle is a very popular option, especially as they exclusively have one of the most popular Sports packages. With exclusive coverage of football, F1, Rugby, WWE, and more, their packages are a great option for sports fans and can also be cheaper than other digital TV broadband packages.
BT broadband is also likely to offer very good rewards and additional incentives. They commonly give you a rewards card with select plans, and you can get up to £110 on these cards that can be spent on anything you want.
BT is also rated as one of the most reliable broadband providers, making it one of the best broadband packages you can choose.
You can check out all the top BT Broadband deals here to help with your search for a new provider.
Sky’s broadband packages offer a great middle ground between good speeds and fantastic digital TV when you get their bundled packages.
Sky has been the leading provider of digital TV in the UK, pioneering it in the early 1990s and remains the people’s choice. Why Sky TV, you get access to some of the most in-demand channels in the world and also get access to Movies and multiple sports. The only catch with a Sky TV broadband package is that you’ll have to pay a lot to get everything, as their TV offering is split into different sections and individual packages.
Having packages broken up into Entertainment, Sports, Documentaries, and Kids can help you only get the channels that you’re interested in. Still, this segmentation can force you to pay a lot each month if you want everything.
With Sky broadband, you can get speeds of around 145Mbps on their mind-range service, which is a really good speed and should handle all types of internet usage.
Like BT, Sky also has a speed guarantee with their plans. This works differently, though, as instead of getting someone to fix it, Sky will give you your money back if your speeds drop below 100Mbps for three days in a row.
We’ve compiled some of the best Sky Broadband packages for you to compare if you want to find out more about the provider.
TalkTalk is a good choice when getting the best broadband packages because they usually offer low prices for their services, despite still giving you access to great speeds. In fact, if you’re looking for great speeds on a budget, TalkTalk is easily one of the best options to begin your comparison.
TalkTalk offers both ASDL and fibre connections and can offer ultra-fast speeds of up to 145Mbps, which can be great for all types of internet users. Plus, TalkTalk can also be a great option for the future, as they’re currently rolling out their Future Fibre service that can give you speeds up to 500Mbps.
TalkTalk also offers various bundles, and you can add digital TV to your package. These are known as ‘Boosts’ within the company and allow you to only add the channels that you want to help you keep the costs low. You can get all the Sky Sports and Sky Cinema channels, making it a good option if you want these services on the cheap.
You can find out more about the various TalkTalk Broadband packages here and compare them to help find the best service for you.
Now offers one of the best broadband packages for those that are looking to stream digital content, as you can get a fairly cheap broadband package while also getting access to a Now TV membership.
When getting their TV broadband bundles, Now can be a great and cheaper alternative to Sky TV, as you can access a lot of the same content. This is because Now uses Sky’s infrastructure, and with a Now TV membership, which you get a discount for when you get broadband with Now, you’ll be able to get access to a vast amount of movies, boxsets, and sports for a low price.
Now’s broadband speeds are also competitive, as you can get their Super Fibre for around £20 a month, which gives you an average of 63Mbps.
One thing that may make Now less desirable than some of the other providers is that they’re unlikely to offer any vouchers or rewards when you get one of their packages. You shouldn’t choose your broadband package based on rewards alone, but if you’re choosing between two similar packages, the one with a reward gift card may be the better option.
Now Broadband has a lot of different great value packages that you can compare on our website.
Plusnet has a reputation for being a simple broadband service, offering slower packages to users who may not need faster speeds. However, despite that reputation, Plusnet offers fibre packages that can give you broadband speeds that can easily handle an entire household, and they do that at a very low price.
With Plusnet, you can only get broadband packages, as they don’t offer any extras like digital TV or landlines. This makes them a good choice for people who aren’t considering these added extras, but if you want to get a great value bundle, you may have to look elsewhere.
With Plusnet, you can get packages that give you speeds of up to 66Mbps, all for a competitive price that makes it a contender for the best broadband package in the UK. Plusnet is able to achieve these speeds thanks to their new Hub Two router. This improves the reliability of their fibre packages and doesn’t come with an added activation fee, helping to make it an even higher value option.
Plusnet also furthers its credentials as it regularly wins customer service awards, meaning that you’ll have a great deal of support and assistance if you ever need help with your broadband package.
Plusnet also sweetens the deal by offering high-value gift cards. These cards aren’t available for all of their packages, but if your package is eligible, then it could help add extra value for you.
Check out the current Plusnet Broadband packages on our site to learn more about what you can get and decide if they’re a good option for switching.
If you’re looking for broadband deals that offer the fastest speeds on the market, then Virgin is easily the best provider on the market.
Using their own network, Virgin exclusively uses fibre optic connections to give you extremely fast speeds that can blow many other providers out of the water. So, if you have a household filled with multiple internet users all looking to use it at the same time, Virgin can give you one of the most reliable broadband.
Virgin is usually a very expensive service, as you’ll have to pay a fair bit to get these prices; however, they do regularly run broadband-only promotions where you can speeds over 100Mbsp for under £30, so it’s handy to look around for these deals before switching to them.
One thing to consider with Virgin broadband is that its service isn’t available everywhere, and only an estimated 50% of UK households can get it. This means that it may not be the best broadband package in your area.
If you can get Virgin broadband, and if the speeds suit your requirements, then their packaged deals can also be one of the best on the market. This is because things like their TV deals give you access to popular entertainment and sports packages that can be cheaper than elsewhere. With their Bigger Bundle, you can get multiple Sky channels, popular documentary channels like Discovery, Eurosport channels, and it’s also possible to get some BT sports content too.
Virgin Broadband is a great option if you’re looking for fast speeds, and you can compare their different packages on our website.
Here are more questions people ask about broadband, packages and broadband deals.
Bundling different services and products into a broadband package can be a cheaper way to get all the services that are included. If you’re paying for each service separately, you’ll likely have to pay a lot more, and it can also be a lot more confusing when paying these bills as you’d have multiple contracts for each.
When bundled, you only have one contract and one billing date each month for all your included services, making it practical and potentially cheaper.
However, do be aware that bundles can make you spend more than you need to. Although cheaper when compared to buying everything separately, if you have a product included in your bundle that you’re not using often, then you’re likely wasting money on that service. To help ensure that a bundle is cheap for you, consider your requirements and get a broadband deal that includes all the services that you need.
There’s no definitive broadband deal that is universally the best in the UK. There are certainly options that look good; however, what makes the best deal will depend on your specific requirements and needs. The best deal for you may not be the same as for someone else, which is why it’s important to compare the best broadband packages so that you can choose one that works for you.
The best deal for you will be something that is within your budget, offers a speed that suits your usage, includes all the extra services that you need, and crucially, is available in your area.
When first looking for the right broadband, have an idea of the criteria you want it to meet, as this will help guide you when comparing.
It’s possible to get a new broadband contract at any time, although it’s better to do it at certain times. If you’re currently under contract with a broadband provider, it’s more financially sensible to wait until you’ve served the minimum term in your contract, which could be anything from 12 to 24 months.
This is because if you try to leave early, your current provider will issue you with an early cancellation fee, which can be very expensive and mitigate any savings that you might make when switching.
Instead, getting a new broadband deal is best once your new one is over. However, don’t get a new deal straight away. Once your contract is over, you’ll fall into a rolling contract where your broadband will likely be cheaper for the same service you had while in the contract. During this time, it may be worth waiting until sales and other promotions start to help you get the best deal possible.
The right broadband speed for you will depend on your requirements and usage.
If you don’t use the internet that much and only complete simple tasks on it, such as checking emails and browsing news or shopping websites, then a cheap, low speed of 10Mbps may be enough for you.
If you’re an average internet user streaming video and browsing social media while also being a single occupant in a property, then you may need a speed of around 30Mps.
For larger families or households with a lot of people using the internet at once, it may be best to get a faster speed at around 60Mbps. This will ensure that there are no slowdowns or buffering so that everyone can enjoy a smooth experience when online.
If you’re using the broadband for heavy internet usage, such as when streaming videogames or sports in 4K, or if multiple people are downloading big files, such as in an office, then you may need speeds of around 100Mbps or even more.
When selecting the speed that’s right for you, it’s important to be honest about your usage and not underestimate it. Although you may be tempted to restrict yourself to a cheaper broadband package offering slower speeds, to ensure you get a usable performance with no interruptions or issues, it’s always best to get a fast enough speed. Check your current internet usage online to see what speeds you need.
It’s impossible to say which type of broadband is best, as it will depend on your requirements, although certain types of broadband are faster than others.
ADSL is an older type of broadband and uses the copper wires of the existing phone lines in people’s houses to provide the connection. This type of broadband is the cheapest because minimal installation costs and maintenance are required. However, it does offer the slowest broadband speeds, with it averaging at around 10Mbps, making it a good option for light internet users.
Fibre optic is a much more recent way of providing broadband and is a lot faster and more reliable, as it uses fibre optic cables to transport the broadband as opposed to wires. All providers offer some form of fibre optic; however, the speeds that each can provide will vary.
There are two types of fibre broadband, FTTC and FTTP. FTTC is the slower variety because these fibre cables are only used to connect your router to the on-street cabinet that provides broadband to all the homes in your local area. These cables are typically made out of copper wire, so they will slow down the broadband speeds you can get.
FTTP is where your fibre cable is wired directly to your property, meaning that no copper cables are used. This provides the fastest broadband speeds possible.