How to find the best broadband package for your home

What are the best broadband packages in my area?

How to find the best broadband packages in my area?

Most broadband companies will ask you to provide your postcode when comparing their available deals. This allows them to check whether or not their services are on offer in your region.
Unless you use an impartial price comparison site, you’ll need to put your details in every time you want to see the deals on offer from a broadband provider. This can be time consuming and, all too often, can result in you missing good deals and overlooking smaller providers.
Before you start searching through supplier websites, try comparing prices and deals using an impartial service like Broadband Plans. This will help you to uncover all deals available in your region.
Another good option is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Talk to people who live locally to find out which internet service they use and whether or not it’s any good. This can be a great way to start the comparison process and get some real world information on the quality of broadband packages in your area.

ADSL vs broadband

At the moment, there are four main types of internet connection available to UK households: ADSL, superfast broadband, full fibre broadband and cable broadband. Of these, ADSL is the slowest and cable and full fibre the fastest.
While most people will want the fastest connection available, not all types of broadband are on offer in all parts of the UK. To help you decide which connection is right for you, here’s a quick comparison of the four main options available.

ADSL

The UK’s ADSL, or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line network reaches around 99% of the country’s homes. Standard ADSL supplies the internet via your copper phone line. This copper line is connected to a local cabinet which is then linked to the wider broadband service via a network of cables.
Copper cables are a lot slower than fibre cables, so this type of broadband will never be lightning fast. In most cases, ADSL broadband connections offer around 10Mbps download speed. This is enough to stream services like iPlayer and Netflix on one or two devices. If everyone in your home wants to watch TV or play computer games at the same time, you may run into problems.

Superfast broadband

If you have a superfast broadband connection, a fibre optic cable will link your local cabinet to your internet supplier. Another copper cable will run from the cabinet to your home. This type of broadband is also known as a fibre to the cabinet, or FTTC, connection and is available to around 95% of UK households.
Superfast broadband offers average speeds of 50Mbps to 76Mbps. At these speeds, you’ll be able to stream HD movies, play computer games and make video calls without a problem. In fact, a good superfast broadband connection offers enough bandwidth for multiple heavy internet users to be online at the same time.

Full fibre

The UK’s fibre optic broadband infrastructure is growing fast, with new fibre optic connections added every day. This means that more and more people across the country are able to enjoy superfast download speeds and unlimited connections
If you have a full fibre connection, a fibre optic cable will connect your home direct to your supplier’s internet exchange. As there aren’t any copper wires involved, these types of connections are incredibly quick. Download speeds can easily reach 400Mbps, with some providers offering 900Mbps or more in certain parts of the UK.
The UK’s full fibre network is currently being expanded across the country. At the moment, it’s available to around 18% of households. The government had hoped to complete the rollout by the end of 2025. However, it looks set to miss this deadline, leaving millions of people waiting longer for their superfast connection to arrive.
This type of full fibre connection is also called fibre to the premises or FTTP.

Cable

Cable broadband is currently available from Virgin Media. The company covers around 52% of UK homes. Like superfast broadband, cable uses fibre optic wires to link your local cabinet to your internet provider. However, it then uses its own ‘coaxial’ cables to connect the cabinet to your home.
Like superfast broadband, cable provides excellent download speeds, with most customers able to expect 54Mbps to 600Mbps. In some areas, you may even be able to get 900Mbps or even more.
One of the main benefits of cable broadband is that it doesn’t require a landline to be installed. This can make it a good option for people who don’t want a fixed phone line.
The table below shows the main comparison points between these different types of internet connection:

Comparing broadband packages

Cost

Broadband packages in the UK can vary significantly in price. Often, the more you pay, the faster your connection will be. In some cases, you’ll pay more because of your geographic location. This is because not all suppliers cover the entire country, so your choice may be limited if you live in a remote or rural part of the UK.
The cheapest broadband deals generally start from around £18 per month. However, if you want a reasonable download speed and good connection, most deals will cost between £20 and £30 per month.

Download speed

In general, the slowest download speed you’ll find in most of the UK is around 10Mbps. This is still fast enough to stream movies and play computer games, though it may not support multiple users at the same time.
If you pay a little more for your internet, you should be able to get superfast broadband. This will give you around 50Mbps to 70Mbps download speeds. If your connection is anywhere near 50Mbps, you should have a virtually seamless online experience. Web pages will load in the blink of an eye and you’ll be able to stream, game and make video calls without a problem.
If you’re happy to pay £30 or more per month, and are lucky enough to live in a region covered by full fibre optic or cable broadband, you should be able to get ultrafast internet. This type of internet can easily get up to 400Mbps, with some regions seeing speeds that are even faster.
If you mainly use the internet for emails, social media and online shopping, even 10Mbps should meet your needs. However, if you want to make full use of online content, or live with multiple heavy internet users, the faster your connection is, the better.

Data limits

Occasionally, you still find broadband packages that come with limited data. This means that you can only use a certain amount of internet per month before your usage is stopped. While rare, it’s important to check these limitations as they can have a significant impact on your broadband’s usability.

Contract length

Most broadband providers ask customers to sign up for a period of 12-24 months. Often, the longer you sign up for, the better your broadband deal will be.
However, if you need to break your contract before this period is up, you may have to pay a significant exit fee. Some providers ask customers to pay for the remaining months on their contract while others have a set early exit charge. Either way, you could be left paying hundreds of pounds, so it’s important to check the small print carefully.

Freebies and extras

These days, broadband packages often come with freebies and extras thrown in. For example, it’s easy to find broadband deals that come with free TV services and premium TV channels. Other deals may give you a free landline and even a free mobile phone connection.
If you want to get a little more from your broadband deal, it’s well worth checking to see if you can get any of these extras in your budget. If you can, it may reduce the amount you spend on home connectivity and entertainment every month.

What are the benefits of getting a broadband bundle?

Broadband bundles are deals that give you TV services, a phone line or other extras as part of your contract. They’re generally very affordable and can be a great option for households who want to maximise their multimedia capabilities.
In general, broadband bundles are slightly more expensive than deals that give you internet only. However, they are also significantly cheaper than getting separate broadband and TV packages, so are a good option if you know you definitely want more channels and more services.
Often, phone deals that come with broadband bundles give you free calls to certain numbers and certain countries at specific times of the day. This can make it easy and affordable to stay in touch with friends and family.

What should I look out for with broadband and TV packages?

If you know you want extra TV channels as part of your broadband deal, a bundle is a great choice. Here are the main things to consider when comparing broadband bundles.

Cost

It’s important to compare the cost of your broadband bundle with the standard cost of broadband from your chosen supplier. If the bundle is more expensive, you’ll need to decide whether or not the extras are worth the money.

YouView

The cheapest option for broadband and TV bundles is often YouView. YouView is a hybrid television platform developed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Arqiva, BT Group and TalkTalk. It allows customers to stream live TV through their aerial and watch catchup services via their internet connection.
YouView has all of the channels currently available on FreeView. If you watch most of your TV on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, this could be the best value option for your household.

Premium channels

If you want premium channels like Sky, Fox, Comedy Central and sports channels, you’ll probably need to pay a little extra for your broadband bundle. A number of larger internet providers offer these channels as part of their packages.
Before you start comparing these deals, do a little research to find out which services you like the look of. You can then search for deals that give you channels you’ll really enjoy watching.

Extra services

Often, when you sign up to a premium broadband and TV bundle, you’ll get a digital box that will allow you to pause, rewind and record your favourite TV shows. This can be a fantastic asset if you want to build up a movie library or just enjoy watching programmes when it’s most convenient for you.

What is the cheapest broadband package?

What is the cheapest broadband only package?

The table below shows a selection of some of the cheapest broadband only deals currently on the market. To find the cheapest deal for your home, get in touch with a member of our team today.

What is the cheapest broadband + TV package?

Adding TV to your broadband package will increase your bills by a few pounds every month. The table below shows some of the cheapest deals currently available:

What is the best broadband provider for unlimited deals

Some broadband providers offer free landline calls as well as unlimited data, fast download speeds and low prices. The table below shows some of the best deals currently available:

What is the best broadband package?

What is the fastest broadband package?

If speed is the most important factor in your broadband selection, choose from one of these superfast deals below:

Which suppliers offer the best customer service?

Good customer service will help to make your interactions with your broadband supplier more pleasant and more productive. The table below shows the average TrustPilot scores for the UK’s main broadband providers:

How do I choose the right broadband package?

The easiest way to find the right broadband package for your household is to use an impartial comparison service like Broadband Plans. Our experts will check all available deals in your area and talk you through the various options on offer. They’ll take your priorities and requirements into account and help you find the service that suits you perfectly.
Get in touch today to find out more.
Give us a call on 0330 818 6395

Can I get unlimited mobile broadband?

Although most households in the UK opt for a fixed broadband connection, there are other types of broadband available. A good alternative to fixed broadband is mobile broadband. This is essentially the same as the internet that’s supplied to your mobile phone and is provided by 3G, 4G and, in some cases, 5G networks.
Mobile broadband can be delivered in a number of formats. The main options available are:

• Dongle
• Personal 4G router
• Mobile SIM

Dongles plug straight into a laptop or computer. They take their power from the device they’re attached to and provide a local internet connection. These are a great choice if you only need broadband on one device like your main household computer.
Personal routers are also known as Mi-Fis. They’re similar to normal broadband routers, but instead of receiving their internet connection from fixed cables, they get it via the 3G, 4G or 5G network. In general, Mi-Fi devices are also less powerful than standard routers, so your signal may not reach every corner of your home.
One of the main benefits of personal mobile broadband routers is that they can be used when you’re on the move. You can also take them to friends’ houses when you go to visit or to cafes, libraries and other places that don’t have a reliable internet connection.
Like standard routers, Mi-Fi devices can support a number of phones, laptops and tablets. This makes them a good alternative to standard broadband.
Mobile SIM cards are designed to provide mobile internet to a single device like a phone or tablet computer. Simply insert the SIM as normal and you’ll be able to access the internet from your device.
As they’re mainly designed for occasional and temporary users, a lot of mobile broadband deals limit the amount of data you can use each month. However, an increasing number of providers now offer unlimited mobile broadband. This means you can stream, game, call and shop online without restriction.
Unlimited mobile broadband deals are available from around £20 per month when you sign up to a 12 or 24-month contract. If you want a faster connection, you’ll probably end up paying £25-£35 per month for your deal.

What is the average price for broadband?

FAQ

Do you need a landline for broadband?

In most cases, you will need to have a fixed landline installed if you want to get broadband internet in your home. If you don’t have a landline, you’ll need to arrange for one to be installed before your broadband connection can be activated. However, if you’re on the Virgin Media cable network, you don’t need a landline in order to have broadband in your home. If Virgin Media covers the area where you live, this can be a good option if you don’t need a fixed phone line in your home.

How can I get cheaper broadband?

There are a number of ways to minimise the amount you spend on your broadband package. When signing up for a new contract, make sure you shop around for the best deal. Broadband packages can vary in price from around £18 per month to £40 per month or more. Looking for an affordable deal will help you to get a great value package. Another way to get cheaper broadband is to sign up for a longer contract. Committing to your broadband provider for 18 or 24 months instead of 1, 6 or 12 months could see you save a significant amount on your broadband bill.

What is the average price for broadband?

The cheapest broadband deals you’re likely to find in the UK start from around £18 per month. The most expensive deals will set you back up to £90 per month. The majority of broadband packages cost between £22 and £35 per month. At these prices, you should get a fast, reliable connection and a contract of between 12 and 24 months.

Can I get my mobile phone deal included in the bundle?

Some broadband bundles do come complete with a mobile phone SIM. These SIMs can give you free texts, minutes and data, allowing you to stay connected to friends and family without breaking the bank.