These days, there is an almost endless stream of broadband service providers and each of them claims to offer the best package. However, there are several elements to consider before settling on any of them.
Of course, which broadband package you’re after will depend heavily on what you want to get out of it. Some internet users pay just to browse sites and watch the odd video, whereas others are constantly downloading and streaming to their heart’s content.
Money wise, the bigger packages will obviously cost you more money and you could find yourself with a bill (including a leased line) of somewhere around the £40 mark. However, you can easily get a reasonable package for less than £20 all in.
How much broadband will I need?
Those just starting to use the internet will not really know how downloading and streaming works and so will not need a great deal of bandwidth available. A good beginner’s package would be perfect for this scenario; one that offers reasonable speeds, but not a high amount of download allocation to keep the costs down.
A much more substantial broadband package would be required for either families who are always on the net, or individuals who are always streaming and downloading, as well as for those involved in a great deal of online gaming.
If you’re running a business, there is the opportunity with some providers to get a static or fixed IP address, as well as email addresses, webspace and routers combined with security suites. As a business, you might want to make sure you have a leased line instead of sharing bandwidth with others via dark fibre for service providers.
For those constantly on the move and worried Wi-Fi might not be available, a mobile broadband service will be the one for you. There are several types of “Dongles” available, each with their own plan. These do tend to be more expensive than home broadband, but can be very flexible.
Is everything available to me?
As more money gets put into broadband services, more people are being given the chance to use it; however there are still places that struggle to get the best packages, especially those in rural areas.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a built up area or even a decently sized city, you’ll have the best services available to you. The best way to check is pop in your area code to see what’s in your area.
The fastest broadband is still rare in some places and is only available to the lucky few, but it is growing fast and in the next few years should be there for everyone.
What should I look for in a package?
Many TV companies are offering their own broadband services these days and will offer a discount on add-ons such as their TV tariffs as a part of a larger package. With most, you can also look to get good phone deals as well for the home.
Look to get free set-up with your service, as it can be quite costly if you are charged. The hardware such as routers are also free these days, allowing you to save further money.