Compare broadband deals

Finding the best broadband deal is crucial in today's connected world. Reliable internet is essential whether you're working remotely, streaming entertainment, or just browsing. We've compared the top UK broadband options to help you find the perfect solution for your area. Check out our recommendations below.

List of best broadband deals

What is broadband?

Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that lets users access the internet. It is always on and offers faster speeds than traditional “dial-up” services.

Broadband internet carries data to and from digital devices quickly and efficiently. It’s one of the most popular options for internet connections because of its speed and reliability. If your digital devices have high bandwidth requirements (4K streaming, online gaming, conference calls, etc.), broadband is an excellent choice.

Internet service providers (ISPs) can provide wired or wireless broadband connections. Wired connections are faster and more reliable, but they fix your digital device in one position. Wireless connections (i.e. Wi-Fi) allow you to move your device around while remaining connected to the network.

What types of broadband are there?

There are several different types of broadband available. Depending on where you live, you might have limited options, especially in more rural areas. That’s why checking broadband availability in your area is important before contacting an ISP.

We’ll cover the main types of broadband below to give you an idea of how they differ. We’ll also detail the speeds you can expect with each option and how much coverage each broadband type has in the UK.

ADSL broadband

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) uses existing telephone lines to deliver internet to your home. It's the most widely available option, covering 99% of UK premises. ADSL offers speeds up to 24 Mbps, making it suitable for general browsing, email, and light streaming. However, speeds can vary depending on your distance from the telephone exchange.

Fibre broadband

Fibre optic broadband uses glass or plastic cables to transmit data via light signals, offering faster speeds and greater reliability than traditional copper wire connections. There are two main types:

fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) or part-fibre and fibre to the premises (or full fibre).

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC)

FTTC uses fibre optic cables to transmit data to street cabinets, then copper wires for the final stretch to homes. It's widely available, covering 97% of UK homes, and offers speeds up to 80 Mbps. This type is sufficient for most households and represents a significant upgrade from ADSL.

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

FTTP delivers a direct fibre connection straight to your premises, providing the fastest and most reliable broadband available. While currently limited to 52% of UK homes, availability is growing. FTTP can achieve 1 Gbps or higher speeds, making it perfect for heavy internet users, large households, and businesses requiring consistently high speeds.

Cable broadband

Cable broadband uses coaxial cables to deliver internet, initially installed for cable television services. It often comes bundled with TV packages and can provide speeds up to 1 Gbps. Cable is available in areas with existing cable TV infrastructure and offers a good balance of speed and reliability for households with multiple internet users.

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband uses cellular networks (4G/5G) to provide internet access. It's a flexible solution, ideal for people who need internet on the go or in areas with limited fixed-line connections. Speeds can vary significantly based on signal strength and network congestion, but 5G technology can offer speeds comparable to some fixed-line broadband connections.

Satellite broadband

Satellite broadband uses orbiting satellites to provide internet connectivity. It's available almost anywhere in the UK, making it a viable option for remote areas where other types of broadband aren't accessible. Speeds can reach over 100 Mbps, but the service typically has higher latency than other broadband types and can experience negative impacts from weather conditions.

Compare broadband deals with Cybernews postcode checker

Finding the perfect broadband deal can be exhausting work. You’ll need to visit each provider’s website and compare their offer and the prices. It’s time-consuming and more complicated than it needs to be.

But there’s an easier way to compare the best broadband deals in your area. Here are three simple steps showing you how to use our postcode checker:

1. Enter your postcode and the provider you’re currently with.
2. Choose the contract length, speed and price.
3. Click "View deal" and follow the steps to complete your switch.

What to consider when comparing broadband deals

With so many providers and packages available, choosing the perfect broadband deal takes work. Whether you need internet to set up your home office, minimise lag when gaming online, or access 4K streams with ease, you need to consider the key factors affecting your decision on which broadband deal to choose. Here are the details you need to keep an eye out for:

• Internet speed. First things first, consider the internet speed you’re looking for. Speed is a primary factor that impacts your experience with the internet and the price you’ll pay monthly. Most average internet users can get by at around 50 Mbps for standard internet activity. But if you’re a gamer or have a larger family, consider going for speeds over 100 Mbps.
• Data usage. Some broadband packages will limit your data usage for each month. It’s frustrating to reach the end of the month and not have internet access (or have throttled speeds). So, choose a package with unlimited data usage or at least an amount you think you could realistically keep within each month.
• Broadband contract length. Your internet service provider may lock you into a contract to access its broadband deals. Each contract will have a set duration – most are 12 or 24 months. This is important because you’ll likely have to pay a cancellation fee if you break the contract early. You need to be sure that your contract's other factors (speed and data limits) are to your liking before you finalise the contract. Also, don’t overdo it; if you plan on moving soon, stick with shorter contracts (even if they’re slightly more expensive).
• Broadband price. As always, the price you’ll pay for your internet is critical. Always stick within your budget, even if it means opting for a slightly slower package or using data limits. Remember, depending on your contract, you’ll need to pay monthly for 12 or 24 months, so you should be sure you can stick with it.
• Broadband packages. Some providers will offer you bundled services. For example, you could include TV channels, mobile data, or a landline. These packages allow you to bundle multiple payments into one, making it more convenient and manageable. Providers often throw in some discounts when you bundle these packages together.
• Broadband availability. Always confirm that the broadband type you’re looking for is available in your area. Don’t commit to a package before you’ve got confirmation from the ISP that it can deliver the service to your home or office.

How do I know which broadband is best in my area?

The best UK broadband for your area should offer consistent, high-speed internet access. It should come from a reliable provider with a record of responsive customer support and minimal service outages. The best broadband deals should also be within your budget and have transparent terms without hidden fees or restrictive contracts.

However, checking which broadband type and providers are available in your area can take time and effort. Remember, these factors are different all over the UK. Our handy postcode checker makes comparing broadband deals available in your area easy. You no longer need to phone different providers and shop around before deciding after weeks of research. It’s quick and easy at the click of a button!

What type of broadband package should I choose?

There are different types of broadband packages on offer in the UK. Depending on your needs, you might find one package better than the others, or you may opt for the broadband-only option to get internet access.

Broadband packages offer some excellent advantages, so they’re still popular today. If you choose a package, you can get lower costs, one bill, and a single provider for everything in the service. Having multiple services rolled into one package is convenient if there are additional services that you might need.

We’ll go into more detail about different broadband packages below.

Broadband only

First of all, you can choose a broadband-only deal. In this package, you’ll only get your chosen broadband service to get access to the internet. This option has become more common in recent years as we can now do nearly everything we need from other services over the internet as well. For example, Whatsapp calls have replaced landlines (and mobile minutes), and online streaming has replaced cable TV!

Broadband and home phone

Some providers will give you a landline in addition to broadband internet. These packages are popular if you choose ADSL since they use the same equipment to install the broadband into your home or office. Broadband and home phone deals are less popular than they were, but if you make tons of phone calls, it could be worth considering.

Broadband and TV

You can combine broadband with TV if you’re opting for cable broadband. Like the home phone packages, cable broadband uses the same equipment to deliver internet to your home as cable TV. This means you can easily add cable TV to your package and enjoy entertainment into your internet package. Broadband and TV deals are great for sports fans since you can avoid paying for those pricey subscription fees from streamers like Sky Sports! But for general entertainment, there’s a wide range of affordable streaming services you can sign up for with a broadband-only deal.

Broadband, home phone, TV and mobile

Finally, some providers can offer you a broadband package that gives you everything you need and more. You can find deals that provide you broadband internet, a landline phone, TV channels, and a mobile contract all rolled into one. This is a convenient package to choose if you want to pay for everything with one bill and use one provider for all your services. Many providers will also offer discounts for using all of their services.

What broadband speed do I need?

The best broadband internet speed depends on your needs and the number of people using the same internet connection.

For example, you will need faster broadband speeds if you have a family of four. Having a TV streaming in 4K, four smartphones scrolling through social media, and computers running applications will have a massive impact on your bandwidth. Your connection speeds will drop noticeably when all devices are connected and running. Around 100Mbps is a good speed for all these devices to run simultaneously.

On the other hand, if there are fewer people in your household, you can opt for slower connection speeds. But it still depends on what you’re using your connection for. Usually, around 25Mbps is enough to run a couple of devices for work and entertainment.

Another factor to consider when choosing broadband speeds is what your devices will run on the connection. Some applications or programs require higher bandwidth than others and could slow your connection down massively. For example, online gaming needs a large amount of bandwidth to avoid any lag or disconnects. Plus, faster speeds mean quicker downloads!

If you already have the internet at home, consider trying a broadband speed test to see what speeds your current connection is running at. Based on that information, you can decide if you need faster internet or get by with a slower broadband speed (at a lower price).

What can affect your broadband speed?

Aside from the speed your provider gives you in the package, some factors can slow your internet down. It’s important to consider these factors before you contact them to ask why your internet speed is not as stated in the contract. Here are some reasons why your broadband speeds could be slow:

• Broadband type - The type of broadband that you choose will impact its speed. For example, fibre is much faster and more reliable than cable broadband. But it goes even further than that. Your fibre connection type (FTTP vs. FTTC) also offers different connection speeds.
• Distance from broadband exchange/cabinet - Data might travel incredibly fast through cables, but your distance from the source still affects your internet speed. If your router is far from the provider’s exchange or cabinet, you could experience lag and reduced speeds. The same goes for your device’s distance from the router.
• Router location - You might place your router in a convenient area, but it’s vital to place it in the right area for the best performance. You should raise your router off the floor, place it in a central location, and keep it as far away from other electronics as possible in your home.
• Number of devices connected - Each device connected to the internet will slow your internet down. This is especially true if each device runs high-demand apps or tasks. For example, if you have a TV streaming in 4K, two phones running Instagram, and a console using the internet for gaming, you’ll notice a massive drop in internet speed. Try disconnecting devices that don’t need to use the internet to speed it up.
• Time of day - The internet can be slower depending on the time. If many people use the internet in your area, the infrastructure will experience “congestion”(think of it as a traffic jam for data). Think about when people are often home and spending time on their phones or streaming. At these times, you might experience slower connection speeds.

Conclusion

Broadband internet gives you a fast and reliable internet connection, but not all ISPs have the same offers. If you’re looking for broadband internet, you should shop around before making a final decision and committing to a long-term contract. Our postcode checker is a quick and easy way to analyse the best broadband deals in your area.

More broadband deals you may be interested in

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More broadband deals you may be interested in:

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Best broadband deals - FAQ’s