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.
