Broadband internet is now not just available in your home, but while you’re on
the move too – through mobile phone services. So it’s no surprise that broadband
and mobile phones are the latest packages to be bundled together.
Broadband and mobile phone bundles explained
Broadly, there are two different forms of broadband/mobile phone bundles available.
The first are those that allow you to access the internet on your mobile phone – such
as the web’n’walk tariffs available from T-Mobile. Basically this means you pay an
extra monthly charge to be able to surf the web and send emails while you’re using
a mobile phone.
Alternatively, you can tie in a traditional broadband deal with a mobile phone contract
through providers such as Orange, Vodafone and Virgin Media. Usually this will
mean receiving a traditional broadband service with a selection of download caps
and speeds to choose from and combining it with a mobile phone tariff that offers
a select number of texts and minutes per month for a set fee.
The important factors to consider before you opt for a broadband/mobile deal are
how you use the internet and whether the tariffs available truly offer better value
based on your phone usage.
For example, would you use the internet on the move? Could it be useful for you to
have the internet in hand so you can contact the office or send emails while
you’re travelling?
In addition, would you use up your full quota of texts and minutes each month? Or
would it be better for you to have a separate broadband deal with a pay-as-you-go
service for your mobile phone or a contract that better suits your requirements?
Considering the complete package
Of course, bundles are not limited to broadband and any one of mobile, TV and home
phone services. You can actually combine three of these services through a host of
providers including BT, Sky and Tiscali.
Currently there is only one provider in the UK that offers to combine all four services –
broadband, phone, mobile and TV. That is Virgin Media, which was the first to launch
a ‘quad play’ deal in 2007.
So which is right for you?
As explained in the earlier sections of the guide, the key to any broadband bundle is
to think about how you use the services. There’s little point in paying extra for
services you won’t use and you might be able to find cheaper deals by shopping for
each component separately. You also might not like the idea of placing all your eggs
into one basket and relying on one company to deliver up to four important services.
Nevertheless, bundled deals can offer huge incentives. Students and house-sharers
could benefit from having one simple monthly bill that they can split between them
and just dealing with one provider can make life a lot easier for anyone. There are
also potentially huge savings to enjoy, especially if you make full use of all of the
services on offer.
So why not see for yourself what bundled deals are available in your area by using the
broadband comparison tool
now?
