With the government’s recent announcement that they plan to install ultra-fast broadband in the UK’s remotest areas by 2025, you may have got thinking about your own options. Because while you stare at a rotating beach ball and wonder when your next frame of Friends will load, others will be downloading films in seconds. The future is here, if the home secretary is to be believed (hmm), and you need to keep up with the pace of things. With that in mind, here are 4 IDEAL tips for choosing the best broadband option.
COMPARE PROVIDERS
Even though your current deal and coverage may seem satisfactory, there is always improvement in this game, especially since the technology of connection is always evolving. Don’t be afraid to compare the different offerings on the market regularly, to make sure you’re getting the service you deserve. If you work at home, particularly, then you need to make sure you get right. Seek out broadband comparison sites and do you due diligence on providers so you know you’re getting the best deal.
PACKAGE PRIORITIES
Ask yourself; what kind of internet consumer am I? This will help you narrow down the vast options in front of you to find something truly suited to your needs. Should you need broadband for simple processes and super speed isn’t required, then an ADSL package would probably be best; it’s basic but it’s also affordable. Are you planning on your broadband package serving the whole family? Then parental controls are a must. If Netflix binges and iPlayer love-ins are your de rigueur, then you’ll need a much more extensive system; look for unlimited download options and the possibility of fibre broadband to get things moving super fast.
CAN I BUNDLE IN WITH OTHER SERVICES?
It wasn’t so long ago that you could create an all-encompassing bundle of device consumption; TV, Broadband, phone services and more could be gathered in an all-in-one service package. Today, it’s a little more complicated, as competition has increased, the myriad options available have blurred. If you do go for a complete bundle, there’s a lot of legwork required of you to cancel contracts and switch commitments which you already have in place. A headache too far, we think; it’s probably easier to focus just on your broadband provider as one, singular unit.
COVERAGE OPTIONS
If you’re living rurally, or even, sometimes, in the city, the length and breadth of coverage and its strength can vary hugely. It’s vital before switching up to get familiar with which provider offers the sturdiest, most reliable connection and at what cost. Uswitch’s Broadband Postcode Checker is a good place to start. Interestingly, Virgin Media comes out on top, more than double the next quickest (Vodafone).
