Broadband with no upfront cost

If you want to save some money on setup fees or even equipment, then you should definitely look for a broadband no-upfront cost deal. Basically, you just need to pay for the provider’s plan, and that’s it. This is a great option, especially if you have a more limited budget.

So, to make things even easier, we decided to explain better what no upfront cost broadband is and create a list with the best providers. We will also look at how they work, what the advantages and disadvantages are, and discuss other essential details you should keep in mind.

What does broadband with no upfront cost mean?

Broadband with no upfront cost deals refers to a type of internet service plan payment where the customer does not have to pay any upfront fees or charges at the time of signing up or installation. In other words, the service provider waives any initial costs that are usually associated with setting up or activating a broadband connection.

What kind of upfront fees could there be?

Typically, upfront costs for broadband include fees for installation, equipment (such as a modem or router), activation, or setup. These costs are often one-time fees that the broadband provider charges so it can cover the expenses associated with getting the broadband service up and running at the customer’s location.

With a no upfront cost broadband plan, the customer does not have to pay these fees upfront and can avoid the initial financial burden associated with setting up a new broadband connection.

How does broadband with no upfront cost work?

Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer packages that don’t require any upfront payment or include installation fees. More precisely, some providers may ask you to sign a contract for a specific period, usually 12 or 18 months, so that you can qualify for a broadband deal without upfront payments. But how exactly does this work?

The process depends on the service provider you choose, but it is still more or less the same. Suppose you go for Virgin Media. The first thing you should do is to open the official website and search for a special offer deal that says no setup fee or no upfront cost broadband installation.

Once you find such a deal, enter the postcode in the respective tab on the Virgin Media page. After that, select your special offer and continue to checkout, where you can arrange your installation. Keep in mind that such deals are limited. Lastly, plug in the Wi-Fi Hub by using the straightforward QuickStart self-installation kit.

Pros and cons of broadband with no upfront costs

The main reason why people go for broadband with no upfront cost deals is that there are no extra setup charges. While this is an obvious perk, you’ll also find some downsides and limitations. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of no upfront cost broadband deals:

How to find broadband deals with no upfront costs?

Finding broadband deals with no upfront costs isn’t a huge feat. You just need to know where to look and what to look for. We’ve opted to provide you with some tips on how to find broadband deals with no upfront costs below:

• Check for a special offer. If you want to get a broadband deal from a particular company, don’t forget to check whether it has a current special offer that says no upfront costs or no setup fees. If it has, you usually need to find a code and enter it so you can activate the deal without paying installation fees.
• Search for a company with frequent no setup fees deals. Some companies have limited no upfront cost broadband deals pretty frequently. So, you can go to Plusnet, Virgin Media, BT Full Fibre 100, and more. However, make sure you implement the first tip when you open their official websites.

Providers and their upfront costs

Some providers offer broadband with no other costs as standard, while others include broadband with no additional or upfront fees only on certain packages in order to tempt new customers. Here’s our rundown of what you can expect from the most popular UK providers:

• Vodafone: Even though it boasts some of the fastest fibre speeds in the UK, you won’t have to pay any upfront setup fee when signing up for a new plan. This includes broadband with a landline included. Pricing starts at around £25 per month.
• Plusnet: If you’re interested in broadband-only, Plusnet is an excellent option with no extra fees for installation or equipment. Just be aware that you might have to pay for your first month as an upfront cost, though this works out later at the end of your contract. Prices start at around £25 per month for broadband.
• Virgin Media: Another major provider with its own network that typically requires no upfront cost on installation or equipment fees with a long-term contract. Prices generally start at around £26.50 per month.
• TalkTalk for Anyone: One of the earliest companies to reel in customers with no upfront costs with a new contract. Though it continues to do so and still offers a great deal, there’s plenty of competition that offers that now. Plans start at £28 per month.
• BT: More associated with its TV service, BT also has an exceptional broadband service that starts at around £35.99 per month. Though it may not be offered continuously throughout the year, customers can keep an eye on windows of opportunity for no upfront costs at sign-up. They’ve also been known to refund any upfront fees or credit them toward monthly payments.
• Sky: Well known for its TV service, with longer-term contracts and more expensive plans (likely including that TV service), you’ll find no upfront costs for broadband. Plans begin at around £38.00 per month.
• Fibrus: Sign up for broadband with Fibrus, and you’ll find plenty of promotional periods where they offer no upfront costs during sign up for broadband. Plans start at around £19.99 per month.
• Shell Energy: As of late, Shell Energy has been offering plenty of opportunities to nab broadband installation with no upfront costs when signing up for long-term plans. These plans start at around £26.99 per month.

What type of broadband comes with free installation?

When it comes to getting broadband with free installation and no upfront installation or equipment costs, it doesn’t necessarily matter which type of broadband you get but rather what the provider is offering. You can get:

• Fibre optic: Offers the most high-speed internet connections using fibre-optic cables made of glass or plastic to transmit data with light signals. With this internet infrastructure becoming increasingly popular, there are plenty of fibre broadband deals to be found.
• Cable broadband: Offers good speeds but uses coaxial cables often shared with other users, as is bandwidth – which can affect speeds, reliability and performance. Especially during peak usage hours.
• ADSL: Uses existing copper telephone lines to transmit data. Speeds, reliability and performance can be based on the distance to the cabinet and line quality. Generally slower than fibre-optic.

When it comes to broadband services, it's not a given that your new provider will charge you for setup or installation. However, some providers, especially the big names, may tack on an installation fee.

On the flip side, you can nab deals with smaller, newer broadband providers. They might lure customers with deals that have no upfront costs. That’s why it’s a good idea to scope out the best broadband deals.

Can I get broadband and TV deals with no upfront cost?

Broadband and TV packages often come with enticing perks, such as no initial costs, a strategy commonly employed by TV providers like Sky to attract fresh clientele.

Sky's innovative new Sky Stream TV service for example – requiring minimal equipment for accessing their content – further reduces setup fees, making the deal more attractive.

Conversely, among leading providers offering bundled broadband and TV service deals, BT tends to levy setup fees more consistently.

FAQ