Whether you are planning on moving house, switching over your business broadband, or just need a cheaper monthly deal, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to broadband providers. However, there are certain things to keep in mind when looking for your next ideal package.
Here we’re going to look at several internet service providers – or ISPs – and find out how cheap their broadband monthly deals really are.
Virgin Media
Founded by Richard Branson, Virgin (now Virgin Media) provides television, mobile and broadband services. These services are available in a range of packages, from entry level internet connections to ultra-fast fibre broadband. The company also offers a selection of TV channels and multi-room TV services. These packages are usually bundled together to save money and are known as quad-play.
The Gig1 package is the fastest mainstream broadband option in the UK, hands down. It is currently being rolled out to selected cities so not available to everyone, but if you can get it, then it’s blisteringly quick. In fact, it offers average download speeds of up to 1140Mbps. Given that it’s so far, it’s also a reasonably priced option surprisingly, from just £35 a month.
The Gig1 also offers a pretty decent upload speed. The average upload speed is around 20Mbps. The deal can be installed in just four days, and it is available now in enabled areas.
Shell Energy Broadband
Previously known as First Utility, Shell Energy launched into the UK broadband market with a range of cheap plans. These include the Ultrafast Fibre Plus deal from £28 a month, which delivers average download speeds of up to 290Mbps. There’s also the Fast Broadband package, which has an average speed of 11Mbps and costs from £25 a month.
These deals compare favourably to other major big-name providers, such as EE, Vodafone, and BT. But while Shell’s offers are reasonably priced, they can’t match the customer service of the bigger players. Shell also doesn’t offer a rolling monthly fibre deal, which is a bit of a shame. It does have an ultrafast fibre broadband service, but it’s only available on an 18-month contract. It’s also only available to just ten per cent of UK homes.
But let’s not overlook that the company does offer a decent deal for energy customers. They have a Fuel Saving scheme, which gives 3% off fuel at Shell service stations – note, this is only available to Shell card customers, and applies up to the first 60 litres of fuel for the month.
TalkTalk
Depending on your requirements, TalkTalk broadband deals are available in most areas of the UK. In addition to broadband, TalkTalk also offers TV packages: digital TV, on-demand shows, films, and more. In addition, TalkTalk customers can add TV channels such as Sky Sports and Sky Cinema.
The company has been around since 2003 and has grown to offer both broadband and home phone services. In 2010, it split from Carphone Warehouse. However, TalkTalk has had some issues in the past.
The company’s customer service scores poorly on some customer review websites. In fact, the company’s overall customer satisfaction scores are lower than average among long-term customers. The company has fought back with a number of improvements, such as a network-level security service called HomeSafe. The company is also dedicated to protecting the environment. The company’s broadband and TV deals are inexpensive. In fact, the cheapest way to get subscription television in the UK is through TalkTalk.
TalkTalk are also owners of Talk Mobile, one of the lesser known but incredibly cheap mobile phone networks in the UK. We priced it up: getting a Talk Mobile monthly contract on the latest iPhone 14 mini is about 15% cheaper than going with big name networks like O2.
In addition, TalkTalk offers unlimited UK calls. This allows users to make as many international calls as they like, and they can also add 1000 minutes of calls to 50 countries.
Plusnet
Using a Plusnet broadband package, you can stream HD movies and TV shows on your TV and play online games. You also get access to BT Sport, which includes Premier League football, rugby, and cricket.
Plusnet, the Yorkshire-based broadband provider, is actually owned by BT. It offers a variety of packages, including two fibre options. You can also buy bundles that include broadband, TV, and mobile phone services. There are many attractive extras to choose from, and you can find a deal that fits your needs.
Plusnet’s broadband packages are available on 12- or 18-month contracts. You can also opt to re-contract your service to keep your prices low. In most cases, you will need to give 30 days’ notice before you can cancel your contract. You can also claim rewards cards worth up to PS75, which can be used to pay your monthly broadband bills.
Community Fibre
Maybe not as well-known as others, Community Fibre is nevertheless making waves in the UK broadband space.
Providing 100% full fibre broadband connections, Community Fibre is one of the fastest internet providers in London. They aim to reach 2.2 million premises in the capital by 2024. They are also focused on community projects, including training digital ambassadors who help residents get online.
Community Fibre offers a number of deals, which are only available for a limited period of time. Some deals allow customers to get double the speed for the same price, while others provide unlimited data and UK mobile numbers. There are also a variety of bundle deals, which combine TV, broadband and phone services.
The company has also won several awards from the ISPA and is a runner-up in the Innovation category at the Choose Broadband Awards 2022. In January of last year, Community Fibre reached over 100,000 properties, and their network is expected to expand to 435,000 premises by the end of 2022.
What are the average download speeds in the UK?
Having a reliable broadband connection is essential for most homes. If you want to work from home, download a film or stream TV, you need a good service. It’s a good idea to shop around for the best deal. Often, a better broadband package will be available at a cheaper price.
The average UK home broadband speed was 64.0 Mbps in 2019. This is an increase of 18% over the previous year. It is important to remember that speeds may vary depending on the type of network and the distance between the provider and your home.
Despite the increase in speed, a large percentage of UK households still do not have access to the fastest broadband packages. In fact, a survey by Virgin Media showed that 54% of UK lines did not achieve an average peak speed of 30Mbps. This was mainly because of slower performance in rural areas.
However, as the number of full fibre broadband connections continues to increase, the gap between urban and rural broadband speeds is narrowing. In December 2021, almost eight in ten homes in the UK had access to full fibre. This is set to continue to grow.
What about broadband for those on benefits?
There’s an all-new scheme in the UK called Social Tariff. Eligible households who are in receipt of certain benefits can get up to 50% off their monthly broadband price. The only requirement is that you are in receipt of Universal Credit (and need to show proof).
If you’re not on benefits but want to save money, then don’t fret! Whether you’re considering switching to a different provider or reconsidering your current broadband deal, it’s important to check that you’re not making any rash decisions. The cost of your service may increase, and your speeds might go down. Your provider might not be able to provide you with the best deal. You should also ensure that your address is suitable for a new broadband provider.
It’s also important to find out if your broadband provider offers any promotional discounts to new customers. This can give you a better chance of finding a flexible attitude – we checked, and Plusnet are giving customers 20% off just by using a coupon. So, make sure to shop around!
