Broadband internet is something most of us use every day, both at home and at work to access the information we need. In fact, we use it so often it’s nothing short of being second nature to most people. However, not giving a passing thought to who provides your broadband could mean you end up overpaying for a service you could get cheaper elsewhere.
There are dozens of different companies that provide broadband services including traditional retailers, fix line phone operators, mobile phone companies plus many others. It seems these days everyone is trying to get in on the act. Hardly surprising given that research shows 96% of UK households have access to broadband internet creating a huge market for companies to exploit.
Whilst the myriad of companies offering broadband may seem a bit bewildering to some, in essence, it’s a good thing for the consumer as it helps to keep competition high and prices low. Comparison sites like cable.co.uk help individuals find the best deals meaning we can all be safe in the knowledge we’re getting the lowest price possible
Read on to see what you should look out for when choosing your next broadband provider.
Price
Of course the first thing you will want to know is the price. Normally companies offer deals to new customers so if your current contract is up you will likely get a better deal by shopping around (up to 62% according to some research)
Contract length
Most providers will want you to commit to a contract – usually these are for 12, 18 or 24 months. This is standard as the assurance of having a customer for a defined period allows providers to offer lower prices (which are often associated with the longest contracts). However, in some circumstances such as students sharing a house for a period of say one year, it may not make sense to commit for longer than 12 months. If you are in a current contract, OFCOM rules state your current provider must inform you when your contract is up.
Speed
No one likes slow internet, so check the speeds being offered. This has been a huge bone of contention in the industry with consumers often observing a discrepancy in the published and actual speeds obtained. This point aside you should obviously pick a package that suits your needs like what Infinity Dish is offering. If you watch lots of films and have multiple users in your household consuming the bandwidth at the same time, you will likely need a faster connection compared to a single person living on their own who only browses online occasionally.
Set up costs, add-ons and cashback
Take note of any setup or connection costs as these must be considered alongside the net monthly cost. Some providers offer add-ons as an incentive, such as free gifts, vouchers or cashback. Again, you should calculate the overall value of what you are being offered rather than the value of an individual incentive itself.