It’s virtually impossible to watch TV or browse the web without stumbling across adverts for bumper broadband deals and unmissable promotions. With fast, secure connections becoming increasingly critical for home and business owners, it’s more important than ever before to ensure you’re getting the best offer. In this guide, we’ll discuss exactly what to look for in a broadband deal.

Factors to consider when choosing a broadband service

What kind of user are you and what kinds of features are most crucial?

The range of options for Internet users has diversified hugely in recent years. Today, there is a host of providers competing for customers, with all kinds of services and bundles on offer. To narrow down the options and find deals that suit your needs, either for business, education or pleasure, it’s worth considering these key factors:

• How do you use the Internet?

Are you a casual surfer? Do you enjoy gaming or streaming films or music? Do you run a business? Before you decide what kind of broadband service to choose, it’s beneficial to consider how you use the web, how much time you spend online and what your priorities are. If you need a quick, reliable service for business purposes, it’s almost always worth paying more for premium fibre broadband packages that will enable you to take full advantage of additional features and rapid download speeds. If you only use the Internet for the occasional bout of retail therapy or to check and send emails, a cheaper, more basic package may fit the bill.

• What kind of connection are you looking for?

There are two main options open to consumers in the UK at the moment: ADSL and fibre optic broadband. ADSL has been around for longer, but uptake for fibre optic broadband is increasing steadily in line with improved coverage. In 2018, around 45% of UK homes had fibre optic broadband. Fibre broadband is recommended for businesses, individuals who work from home and those who use the Internet on a frequent basis for high-demand applications, for example, streaming. As fibre optic becomes more commonplace, and competition to attract new customers becomes more intense, prices are dropping, and there are some excellent deals available. When considering which type of broadband to choose, it’s worth thinking about speed, reliability and bandwidth. Fibre optic broadband is faster, it’s more reliable and you’re not going to struggle if the entire family or a team of employees are using the net at the same time. Typically, speeds range from 6-17Mbps for standard connections and 35 to 70Mbps for fibre broadband.

• Bundles and packages

Whether you run a business, or you’re responsible for household bills, it’s natural to want to find deals that represent outstanding value for money. Paying the lowest price isn’t always the best option, especially if you utilise additional services, for example, digital TV. Some providers offer bundles that work out cheaper. Shop around and compare prices before making a decision.

Summary