Guide to Student Broadband

Whether you’re drawn to university for the limitless parties, the chance to live on your own or even just the chance to gain a better education, it’s vital to get the ‘boring’ jobs out of the way so you can enjoy a hassle free environment.

One of those tasks will be to set up a cheap broadband internet connection, perhaps for the first time in your life. While most students may think it’s simply a case of picking the cheapest broadband package on the market there is actually much more to consider than that. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of broadband for students so you can find an affordable package that’s right for you.

What is student broadband?

Student broadband isn’t a specialist version of the internet that gives you access to everything you need to know for your final exams – instead it’s simply regular broadband packages that are marketed towards students.

If a product is specifically given the tag of being ‘student broadband’ then chances are that it is cheap. However, that does not mean that you should limit yourself solely to these offers – there are plenty of regular broadband packages that offer incentives to students. The key is to think about what you need and what you don’t need.

So is cheaper always better?

Not necessarily. By the nature of the broadband market, if you’re paying less you’re probably getting less. This could be reflected through lower speeds or tighter download caps. If you’re going to be on the internet for long periods, can you afford to pay a few extra pounds each month to be able to download more and at a faster rate?

Of course the price of a student broadband product should always be a primary consideration. However, it can also be deceptive.

For example, you could find the cheapest broadband product on the market and it could be a ‘bog standard’ broadband deal – i.e. it offers nothing but the bare basics. By contrast, by paying out only marginally more money (it could literally be just a few pennies) you could find a deal that offers fantastic incentives such as free modems, routers and more.

That’s not to say that you should dismiss the cheapest broadband deals either. You should simply evaluate everything that a product has to offer and think about the deals that are right for you.

There are many factors to take into account when choosing a student broadband package that’s right for you. This section will outline all of the aspects you should think about.

What should you consider when searching for student broadband?

1. Long or short term contracts – The vast majority of broadband contracts have 12 or 18 month contracts. However, if you’re moving to a student house then chances are you won’t be there for a full year so you might want to consider short term contracts that last for just one or three months at a time.

However, there is more to factor into the equation. Short term contracts do tend to be more expensive and often come with an activation fee. They are also less likely to include freebies as you are unlikely to be rewarded for offering such a short-term commitment.

So once again it’s vital to think about what you want from a contract, how long you’ll be in residence and whether you really need the additional incentives longer contracts may offer.

2. Cable, ADSL or alternatives – There are pros and cons to both cable and ADSL, which are examined in our ADSL guide and cable guide. In short, ADSL is more widely available and is generally considered more reliable but cable can potentially gain faster speeds and has the advantage that it does not come with a landline which is a huge money saver – activating a BT landline can cost as much as £140. However, there are alternatives now available in the form of USB modems. For example, 3 Mobile made a USB modem available as part of its packages in 2007 – you simply plug the modem into any laptop or PC and you’re ready to go. This offers real flexibility and is ideal for students as there is no line rental, no wires and no hidden fees.

3. Broadband only or a broadband bundle – Broadband on its own is obviously cheaper, but if you’re going to be paying for a TV, home phone or mobile phone anyway then why not consider bundling these services? It can make life simpler as you have one monthly bill to pay, and it is often cheaper to get several services through one provider. However, on the downside you could be paying for services you don’t need and you will have to pay line rental unless you’re with Virgin Media.

4. Bonus incentives/freebies – As mentioned above, the majority of incentives are only available on lengthy contracts. However, they could be huge money savers. For example, in 2007 AOL offered a free laptop to customers who signed up for 24 months – though it did require a credit check. Other common incentives include free modems and wireless routers. The key is not be swayed by freebies unless they are something you really need.

So if you’re looking for student broadband, what should you take into account beyond the price? Part three of the student broadband guide will continue our look at some important considerations.

What should you consider when searching continued?

5. High speeds or unlimited downloads – Unless you are willing to pay the top prices you probably won’t get both – so which is more important?

It’s vital to remember that broadband speeds are advertised as ‘up to’ for a reason. That’s because the speeds promoted are rarely achieved. That’s not the provider’s fault necessarily – broadband speeds can be affected by numerous factors including how close you are to the exchange, the quality of your wiring, etc.

In a similar manner, few broadband deals truly offer unlimited download caps – most have a fair use policy.

Unless you’re a gamer you probably won’t need super high speeds. Around 2Mb should be fine for most. Indeed unless you’re an excessive internet user you probably won’t need to pay out for ‘unlimited’ downloads either. Around 4Gb is more than enough for most unless you regularly download films, games, etc. Even in that instance it could be worth paying less for a download cap because most deals will allow you to purchase extra bandwidth if you need it at affordable prices.

6. Reliable service – Though the phrase is that you get what you pay for, that doesn’t necessarily apply to broadband as some of the cheapest providers actually have the strongest reputations for service.

Feedback at moneysupermarket.com suggests that stand alone broadband providers generally have better customer service. It’s worth doing some research or asking your friends if they have a reliable service before you opt for a deal.

7. Payment methods – Make sure you can pay in the manner the provider wants. For the most part, this will mean paying by direct debit. Other payment methods can lead to additional charges.

Where should you go for student broadband?

With so many factors to consider, the best move is to compare deals like-for-like and not just rely on recommendations of single providers. Use a broadband comparison tool which will allow you to enter your postcode and see all the deals available in your area starting with the cheapest.

Just remember to scan down the table and consider everything that is on offer to find a student broadband deal that’s right for your needs.