Cheap broadband deals

Whether you’re thinking about switching suppliers or looking for a broadband deal for the first time, you’re in the right place. You’ll find everything you need to know about broadband, how to get it and how to find the best broadband deal for you.

The main factors in deciding between broadband providers are:

• Speed – performance speeds are crucial, especially if you stream content or game online

• Usage – consider if you need an unlimited data allowance if there’s a lot of you in your home, you download large files or stream in 4K

• Service – high customer service ratings are important if you suffer from lower-than-expected speeds or service outages

• Cost – all the above may be fantastic, but does it come at the right price for you and offer good value for money?

• Hardware – do you need any new equipment to change or upgrade your service? You may need a new router, or upgrading to fibre-optic cabling.

• Incentives and gifts – you’ll find many broadband providers will use gifts and rewards to tempt you to choose their package. These can include free tablets or tech, cashback, vouchers or access to additional services.

• Contract length – most broadband contracts are 12-month deals, but it’s always important to check, so that you’re not tying yourself into a longer deal than expected. This could make switching more difficult.

• Availability – while the majority of the UK now has access to fibre-optic broadband, you should check which speeds are available in your area. Ultra-fibre speeds, usually available through Virgin Media, require special broadband cables which are less readily available than standard fibre broadband.

To find out which broadband deals are available to you, simply enter your postcode and current broadband provider, and we’ll show you deals with everything you need to know, including price, speed, data caps and more.

If you’d like to know what speed you’re actually getting from your current broadband, and compare them with the best speeds available in your area, use our broadband speed test.

The speed you need depends on the sort of things you’re using the internet for. If there’s only one or two of you in the home, or you only use the internet to check the news, shop online or send emails, you’ll find a standard ADSL broadband service will work just fine.

If you’re living in a busy home, with three or more people, or are downloading/streaming lots of content (particularly in 4K), gaming online or video calling, a fibre broadband speed of around 55Mbps will mean you’re never held back. It’s also much more affordable than it used to be, with great offers making it only slightly more expensive compared to ADSL packages.

Learn more about broadband speeds, and find out if your speed is fast enough for your needs with our broadband speed test.

It’s worth considering as these packages can offer the benefit of cost and convenience. They’re usually:

• cheaper than separate deals

• easier to pay in one single bill

• customer support is all in one place.

Ultimately, you need to make sure the package suits your needs. A few things to check are:

• the cost of monthly line rental

• the charges if you exceed your data or call allowance

• package features (e.g. free day time calls, TV channels).

Broadband packages

If you’ve already got a landline, and are happy to stick with Freeview TV instead of premium channels, you can simply go for a broadband package. The main choices you’ll face are around the type of broadband (ADSL, fibre or cable) you’re looking for, which will affect the speeds you’ll receive. You should also consider an unlimited data plan if you’re a heavy internet user.

All broadband deals available through Compare the Market offer unlimited data, so you can browse, download and stream as much as you like.

Broadband and phone packages

Because most broadband packages require a landline, getting a broadband and home phone package is usually cheaper than paying for these separately. By bundling the two together, you can get a discount on your overall deal, as well as options including free or even unlimited call minutes, as well as better rates on international calls.

Bundling your broadband and phone together is particularly useful, as you’ll have one point of contact if something happens to your phoneline, which can affect both your phone and internet connection.

Broadband, phone and TV packages

To keep things as simple as possible, you can have your broadband, phone and TV all in one bundle. This makes your services easier to manage, with one point of contact for all your needs.

Most providers allow you to tailor your package to suit your needs. If you’re always looking for the next new drama, or the latest box office hit, you can pick add-ons such as Sky Cinema and Sky Atlantic. You can also add sports channels to avoid missing live matches, or kids’ channels to keep the little ones entertained. If your TV and film watching also centres around streaming apps like Netflix, NOW TV and Amazon Prime, a strong broadband connection will allow you to stream all that content in HD or 4K.

It’s also a great way to save money, as bundling these together is often cheaper than having them all separate, as providers offer some great discounts. The more you bundle together, the more you can typically expect to save. Providers with these packages can also offer some of the best incentives, such as free access to services like Netflix, which saves you money on those subscriptions as well. It’s always worth shopping around to find the best deal for you.

The only downside is that, by choosing to bundle everything together, you are limiting yourself to a smaller pool of potential providers, so you may find you have less choice available to you.