Find The Cheapest Broadband Deals Online

In the age of information and consumerism, everyone loves finding bargains on broadband internet service. Whereas in the past the need and cost of high bandwidth connections were minimal, nowadays our lives are becoming ever more dependent on being online and able to surf the web at high speeds.

As demand has grown, so has competition between broadband providers, pushing prices down and creating an environment where consumers can repeatedly shop for better deals and new providers. In fact, there are even online tools and comparison sites that help you manage this process.

For those unfamiliar with how to shop for broadband internet bargains in the UK, the following guide offers tips and tutorials for finding a cheap service that fits your needs.

Evaluating Your Individual Needs & Preferences

Choosing the optimum broadband package often depends on your individual needs. As a result, the first step in your search is narrowing down exactly what you intend to use the internet for. Since different packages are tailored to specific users, it is important to research the various companies and their individual offerings to see how they compare.

Typically, in terms of data usage, broadband services fall into one of the following categories:

Discount Broadband

These deals are designed for light internet users who primarily use the web to browse news items and connect through social networking websites. The service generally comes with lower speeds and bandwidth caps in exchange for extreme discounts.

For example, a provider might limit your usage to 10GB per month of downloads. Although this may seem like a workable amount, anyone who uses the internet regularly or streams videos may find the cap too restrictive.

Standard Broadband

Most users will fall into this category, using the internet to surf the webs, watch videos and download music. Unlimited data usage means users of all types will fall under this umbrella.

Heavy Usage Broadband Deals

These plans provides the fastest consumer speeds and are reserved for those who watch streaming movies, utilise peer-to-peer software, or play online games that require a constant connection to a dedicated server.

Business Broadband Deals

Unlike consumer offerings, these broadband deals offer additional services such as static/fixed IPs, business email, routers, and security packages.

Mobile Broadband Deals

The advent of smartphones and lightweight tablets is pushing the paradigm of mobile broadband beyond laptop computers. With a mobile technology device, the internet is becoming a full time accessory allowing users to access a wealth of information at all times.

However, the utility of such a device is limited to broadband service you own, and like traditional email service, mobile broadband comes with its own selection of bandwidth caps and speeds depending on your use.

Bulk or Family Broadband Deals

Many companies offer more than just internet service. They can combine broadband with television, landline phones, and even mobile phone services for the whole family. The larger the provider, the more comprehensive the package, and the more substantial the discount.

Factoring Broadband Speed

Once you have determined how much bandwidth you will use on a monthly basis, it is time to figure out how much speed you require. Many consumers make the mistake of purchasing a high end broadband plan with high speeds simply because they assume they will be doing extensive downloading.

However, a standard broadband plan can typically download a file quickly and resume downloading if the transfer were to be interrupted. Incredibly high speed plans are in fact only necessary for those who require uninterrupted, high speed service, such is the case with streaming hi-definition video or playing online games.

However, at the same time it is also important not to undersell the amount of bandwidth speed you require, simply because the advertised speed will rarely match the actual output. All companies market their offerings based on the maximum speed possible under the most ideal conditions. In reality, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will share your connection with other customers in your area, which is why speeds will diminish considerably during peak hours.

Furthermore, the distance from your home to the nearest telephone exchange can also mitigate the quality of your connection, as will the type of cabling utilised by the ISP. The following is a list of the various types of broadband speed provided:

Super Fast Broadband

Terms such as Super Fast Broadband are generally marketing verbiage used to describe any service provider that utilises fibre-optic cabling. These cables are considerably fast and hypothetically capable of offering speeds of up to 100Mb per second, but a more realistic estimate would be 50Mb per second. It it important to keep in mind that there is not a service out there that will require you to have a connection at that speed.

Rather, the intent is to avoid throttling during peak hours, or spread the 50Mb over a number of users in the same household. For example, if two children were using the internet for online gaming, while simultaneously their parents were streaming movies and downloading music, they would require a Super Fast Broadband connection to handle the extensive bandwidth intake.

Fast Broadband

Most users will opt for a Fast Broadband plan that promises speeds of up to 24Mb. 24Mb per second will allow you to stream movies in 720p, as well as play games and download large content. With a fast broadband connection, however, this may result in throttling at peak hours, as the amount of bandwidth must be shared between those in your building and in your immediate neighbourhood.

Cheap Broadband

8Mb per second may sound like a fair amount of bandwidth, but the reality is that with a shared connection it may be significantly less, especially during peak hours. However, it is still a perfectly viable choice for those who only want to surf the web and connect with friends through social networks and email. Low quality videos can still be watched, and even medium quality items can be viewed at non-peak hours by limiting mulit-tasking.

Mobile Broadband

The limits of mobile broadband tend to be between 500MB and 1GB, which make them far from ideal for internet use. However, with the advent of tablets and streaming video chat, this paradigm may change. More and more users are demanding a service that affords them all the advantages of a desktop computer while on the go.

As a result, service providers are competing fiercely to capture this market by dropping the prices and increasing the bandwidth caps on their offerings. This has coincided with better wireless network technology and an proliferation of Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK. As a still nascent product, it is essential that those interested in a mobile broadband plan shop around various comparison sites for the best deal.

Customer Service

For many users, the customer service of a provider is not a factor in their search. For others, it can be the deciding component, and these consumers may even be willing to pay more for better service. Individuals who are less technically savvy or live in an area prone to outages will often opt for the company that provides the most helpful and expedient service.

A good customer service representative is not only friendly but frank regarding the nature of your internet service. They should be able to explain the difference between actual and advertised speeds, and not try to mislead you like those who are attempting to market the product.

Finding Cheap Broadband Offers

Now that you have an idea what sort of service you are in the market for, it is time to narrow down your choices even further to the available providers in your area. Although the UK is geographically a small region, there are many restrictions and logistical hurdles that may limit the number of providers in your area. Some may find that only the largest providers are capable of providing the services they need for their location. This is particularly the case for those who live in rural areas. Much of it depends on where you live and what type of data and speed you require.

Broadband Comparison Sites

The most prominent tool in your arsenal is to utilise comparison sites. These sites are equipped with a postcode checker that will scour the internet for all the available broadband providers in your area. From there you can limit your search to the type of broadband plan you are looking for as well as the price that fits your budget. Many of these sites have partnered with the ISP so you can purchase a plan directly from the comparison site without having to retype your personal information.

Bundle Offerings

Larger companies like Virgin will often use the breadth of their services to offer better deals. Bundling your internet with a TV or telephone service can result in savings across the board. The company profits by having a paying customer in a multitude of offerings, while the customer benefits by receiving those services at a precipitous discount.

Keep in mind, however, opting for a large company may mean a less personal customer service department, which is essential to some users.

Slower Speeds, Unlimited Data

The easiest way to lower your internet cost is to opt for a plan with plenty of restrictions. In many cases, however, data restrictions are not a good idea. As high definition has become mainstream and streaming video has escalated in popularity, it is very easy to exceed plans that cap at 8GB per month, even for those who only watch videos occasionally.

A single video fifteen minute video in 1080p can easily exceed 1GB. This is why unlimited data packages are important. Speeds, however, are usually much higher than what the average customer requires. By simply avoiding the internet during peak hours, you can enjoy high quality service with none of the cost. While many unlimited data plans are tied to higher speed offerings, some smaller companies may be more flexible to attract customers.

Cable Modem or Router Costs

Many companies will afford you the option of either purchasing your own cable modem and router or renting one from the provider. Typically, it is much cheaper to purchase the item in the long run. Companies will offer to sell the item directly, but it is usually wiser to shop around at the local electronics store.

Just be sure that any modem you purchase is approved for use by that particular provider. A list of approved cable modems should be available on the company website or provided via customer service. Research the various types of cable modems and what their maximum speeds are. A high end cable modem might provide the boost you need without having to pay for a more expensive ISP.

Other Low-cost Broadband Considerations

Remember to take into consideration all the factors that go into the price of your broadband. For example, a cheap monthly rate may be attractive, but if coupled with a heavy installation fee and a new cable modem the actual cost may be much higher than you were quoted. For example, for heavy bandwidth users, an older cable modem might not be capable of sending data at high speeds, and should include the cost of the upgrade when comparing the service with a standard broadband plan.

Companies may also advertise an extremely low price but indicate in the small print that the pricing is temporary. Many of these are also coupled with long term contracts that incur severe penalties for opting out early. Be sure to take a look at the terms and conditions that apply to each deal, and factor them in into the total cost.

In addition to the total cost, keep in mind how your needs may change. Signing up for a low bandwidth, lengthy contract may sound fine now, but as data consumption becomes more and more prevalent, you will likely need to increase your bandwidth cap and speed in the future. Having a contract means you will be forced to go with whatever package that ISP offers, and lose whatever premium discount you received when you opted for the cheaper plan.

Similarly, you may want to consider if your bandwidth usage is depressed due to the age of your computer. You may not watch streaming movies in high definition simply because your computer is incapable of playing them. Were you to upgrade you computer with more modern hardware, it may open up avenues to worlds you were previously uninterested in. Again, this will not be a problem if you can opt out of your existing service. However, many of the best and cheapest deals are contingent on a long term commitment from the consumer.