The right broadband plan can be a challenge. It is important to consider more than just the monthly fee. What speed will you receive? What else is included in the deal , like TV or phone service? Does it come with hardware such as a mesh WiFi system? And does the attractive initial price increase significantly after a few months?
To help you make the most money from your investment Here’s our list of things you should look at in a broadband bundle (and service provider) when choosing.
Understanding broadband speeds
Broadband speeds are described as Mbps, meaning megabits of data per second. Megabits are distinct from megabytes, but. The lowercase “b” on Mb indicates megabits, while the uppercase “B” on MB refers to megabytes.
8Mb (megabits) is equivalent to 1MB (megabyte) therefore the speed of Mbps that you see on any broadband service will indicate how much data can be downloaded in one second. The speed of download is 40Mbps, which is equivalent to downloading 5 megabytes per second.
The providers usually let the upload speed be smaller, as they tend to make it much slower. An efficient upload speed is vital for those who want to be able to make mutliple Zoom calls simultaneously. Speeds of download determine the speed of access to video games, games, shows, and more.
How do you use the internet?
Similar to all purchasing decisions involving technology, whether it smartphones, laptops or broadband the first step to determine is the way you’ll be using the product.
In these days of the always-online society it can be easy to imagine that you need the most speedy connection to stay alive, but if you only access the internet to check emails, shop or spend some time surfing Facebook you’ll find that this isn’t the scenario (more on this in the next section). However, some of the cheap packages that seem appealing may be a hassle in the long term when you discover that you’re not being able to stream 4K UHD movies because of the speed of your internet connection.
In the past the primary principle was how much data you could use for downloads per month. However, with nearly every major service offering unlimited data per month The new standard is the amount of data you can access your network.
Which broadband speed is suitable for me?
The speed you’ll require depends on the number of individuals within your household who actively use the internet, and how much of it is used regularly.
Moderate to light usage
For browsing the internet for general use in a home with two people, you won’t need more than about 10Mbps for download and 2Mbps for upload. It’s sufficient to check your email and make an individual video conference at a time. When you stream movies with these speeds, it is ideal for streaming to just one device at a given time, in contrast to streaming different content to different rooms on different devices.
Moderate users on another hand or households of three to four persons might require around 35Mbps and 5Mbps upload. Users may go on social media often and stream movies simultaneously from different rooms.
Moderate to high usage
If you’re part of a shared household that has a significant amount of internet users, then you must consider a broadband that has a download speed up to sixty Mbps or higher. This includes streaming multiple videos and playing online games and making use of social media on a variety of devices at the same time.
High Use
This is for households with a larger size which stream video in 4K. They also have a number of smart devices and assistants (security cameras lights, thermostats and lighting alarm systems, etc.). You may also be or playing with avid gamers who often download and livestream games and films. It’s all-day, every day. even be running a business from home that requires frequent video calls as well as connecting to the cloud, and uploading large files.
The typical usage is upwards of 200Mbps. These speeds are typically more expensive, so it is recommended to determine the extent to which your internet requirements are prior to deciding on the plan. These speeds are available only in ‘full-fibre broadband plans and cannot be found all the time.
Each providers will ask you to enter your address to check which services (and speed) are available for you.
What are the various kinds of cheap broadband that are available?
There are three primary options available today: ADSL (the standard router that connects to your phone line) and fibre (much quicker speeds that require the use of a dedicated internet connection) or cable (again one that is a dedicated line and is usually part of a package like those provided from Virgin Media).
ADSL
ADSL is the most widely used connection type (although it is rapidly being replaced by fibre as the faster services extends to more locations) and it only requires the use of a standard phone line at home to function. As a result of using this technology it’s limited to an maximum speed of 20Mbps for downloads and 1Mbps uploads. This is sufficient for social media, browsing the internet and streaming HD content on YouTube, Netflix and other services. Indeed, Netflix states that to stream HD TV and movies, you’ll want a minimum of 5Mbps.
Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to attain those top speeds unless you be located near a phone exchange, since the lower down the line speeds will be much slower. This is one of the primary reasons why people who live in rural areas may be unable to access a good and fast connection.
To find out what speeds you will get from an ADSL connection, there are typically widgets on the provider’s sites where you can enter your postcode. We recommend you use the Ofcom Mobile and Broadband checker, as the independent nature of the service will mean it is free from any bias.
Be aware that the more users you have connected, either through laptops, tablets or smartphones, the slower your speed will get as it is essentially divided up between you. In this regard when you’re in a household with a number of children (especially when they love to play games on the internet) then it could be the fibre connection to be the best option.
Should you be limited to an ADSL connectivity, Sky offers its Essential package, while Plusnet offers Unlimited. We’ve already mentioned that the speeds available will be dependent upon how far you live from the exchange. However, visit those sites to find out more.
Fibre
The name implies, this type of connection employs an optical fibre cable (instead of telephone wires made of copper) which can deliver higher speeds than ADSL.
There are various levels in fibre services, with names such as Ultrafast and Superspeed. The reason behind this is that some fibre connections can only reach the exchange closest to your home as copper wiring is utilized to complete the trip. It’s still a lot more efficient than ADSL and can reach speeds of 35Mbps or even 70Mbps.
But there’s also ‘full fibre which means that the optical cable runs right to your home. This can provide speeds as high as 100s of Megabits per Second with the most powerful packages providing a staggering 1000Mbps.
This makes fibre the best choice for those who want streaming HD or 4K movies or Television shows (Netflix has a recommendation of 25Mbps in 4K), and have an uninterrupted connection while video calling for work or with family and friends. It also makes it much easier to download videos to your tablet, smartphone or laptop in your home.
Although full fiber is being used across the UK, many areas still aren’t able to take advantage of the new technology. So, to see if you are one of those lucky households, you’ll need to look up the availability of the service by entering your postcode in the checker available on each provider’s website.
Cable
There’s another option, albeit one that’s limited to very few providers and only in certain regions. More efficient than ADSL as it runs the connection through a dedicated cable that negates the need for a landline. Usually , they are part of a bundle deal, the most common cable provider across the UK is Virgin Media, whose offerings at the time at the time of writing included the M50 package which provides average speeds of 50Mbps.
Take advantage of bundle deals for greater value
If you’re willing to transfer your landline, mobile phone or TV subscription to one provider, then it’s worth looking at the different bundles that are on offer. Each of the major players offer them including BT offering broadbandwith home phones as well as BT TV, while Virgin and Sky doing likewise with their specific TV packages.
Combining these services may result in lower monthly costs and also provide free bonuses if you find the best deal. They change frequently with frequent specials and discounts.