Having a good internet connection is more important than ever, whether you use it for gaming, streaming, or smart home services – we’ll help find the best and cheapest deal for you.
What is broadband?
Broadband is the term used to describe the connection between a device and the internet that lets you connect to the web, generally for things like streaming, online shopping, or browsing social media.
What types of broadband are there?
Broadband is usually available as either ADSL, cable or fibre, and the availability usually depends on your location and the provider you choose.
- ADSL: ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, and it’s the type of broadband that requires an active BT line. It’s the most commonly available type of broadband in the UK, and usually offers average speeds of around 10Mb/s
- Cable: While ADSL broadband is dependent on BT’s copper phone line infrastructure, cable broadband providers like Virgin Media use coaxial cables instead. They offer faster speeds but aren’t usually as widely available across the UK
- Fibre: Optic fibre broadband is significantly faster than cable and ADSL, and therefore tends to come at a higher price. It’s not available everywhere but that is currently changing, so it’s worth seeing if you could benefit from fibre optic technology in your area
Data collected by Lightspeed/Mintel in January 2019, accurate as of May 2019
How do I choose the right broadband?
When you compare providers and deals, there are various factors to think about before making your choice, including how fast the connection is, how much it costs and whether a provider is available in your area.
- Speed: Connection speeds are measured in bits while data is measured in bytes, and both are crucial to understanding how fast your internet will be. Read our guide to bits and bytes to learn more
- Availability: some connection types aren’t available in every location across the UK, and most providers will offer a postcode checking service to let you know what you’ll be able to access
- Limit: Many providers offer unlimited downloads for home broadband, but not all – if you’re a heavy user be sure to check for any download limits
- Tech support: Sometimes the internet will go down no matter how well you’ve set things up. In these instances good customer support is key, especially if you don’t see yourself as a tech expert. Reading customer reviews can give you an idea of a provider’s customer service record
- Contract: Depending on your needs you might be looking for a long term contract – some providers offer 24 month deals – or you might prefer a rolling monthly contract
- Equipment: When you find a new provider, or if your current provider is offering an upgrade to your services, you might receive new equipment. This could be partly or completely subsidised by your provider but this isn’t always the case – you may have to pay extra for the new kit
- Freebies: Many broadband tariffs come with tempting incentives like cashback or vouchers to certain stores – but you should consider whether these are as important as factors such as speed or cost
- Cost: The actual cost of your broadband package is likely to be one of, if not the most important factor in making your decision. This is why shopping around can be such a valuable part of finding the right tariff that gives you everything you need at the best possible price.
37% of people switch providers for a faster internet connection
What other services can you get with broadband?
Many providers also offer other services alongside broadband, including phone and/or television packages. It can sometimes be cheaper to combine services into bundles as your provider might offer a discount or certain incentives if you go for this option, however it’s always worth comparing your options.
Data collected by Lightspeed/Mintel in January 2019, accurate as of May 2019
What incentives or freebies can I get with broadband?
Many providers offer free gifts alongside their broadband tariffs, such as cashback, gift cards, vouchers or rewards cards. While these can be useful extras they usually don’t have any bearing on the quality of service you’ll get from your provider.
How to claim your vouchers
For information about claiming free vouchers you get from your broadband, phone, or TV package, read our guide.
Compare broadband tariffs with MoneySuperMarket
If you’re looking to switch broadband providers, comparing tariffs on MoneySuperMarket is the best way to find a cheaper deal. We compare broadband, TV, landline, and mobile services from leading providers as well as the up and coming, so you'll be sure to find something suited to you. Our providers include:
| BT | Direct Save Telecom | EE | First Utility | Gigaclear |
| John Lewis Broadband | NOW Broadband | Plusnet | Pop Telecom | Post Office |
| Sky | SSE | TalkTalk | Virgin Media | Vodafone |
All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself, including your postcode, and what kind of broadband tariff you want. You’ll be able to choose whether you want limited or unlimited usage, you can set the minimum download speed you require, and you can even include a TV or phone line package.
Once you’ve found the deal you want by comparing speeds, download limits, cost, and freebies that come with the deal, just click through to the provider to confirm your purchase.