What can you do about rising broadband bills?
Are you overpaying for your broadband? You might be, especially if you haven’t changed providers for a while.
And we’re talking about saving more than a few quid every month. According to the consumer watchdog Which? some broadband customers are overpaying by hundreds of pounds a year!
And you could be one of them.
So how do you know if you’re paying too much? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?
What’s the average broadband bill in the UK?
The average broadband bill for a dual packager deal (phone line and internet) is around £44 p/m, according to the money-saving experts at Usave. Customers on broadband-only deals (i.e. no phone or landline) pay an average of £30 p/m.
Location, location, location.
How much you pay for broadband depends on where you live. Based on a monthly 60Mbps broadband-only deal, the most expensive cities for internet are:
- Hull: £45.65
- Stoke: £38.08
- Dundee: £35.53
- Coventry: £35.16
- Southampton: £34.67
The least expensive regions are:
- Aberdeen: £24.52
- Guilford: £26.33
- Bournemouth: £26.59
- Plymouth: £26.83
- Birmingham: £27.12
Can I get a broadband deal for less than £20 p/m?
Yes, you can.
If you don’t need much internet, then it’s possible to get your broadband for less than £20 p/m.
Just focus your search on the newer independent broadband providers (AltNets) in your area. They deliver internet cheaper than the big-name providers, and their packages are just as fast. And you’ll probably get a better level of customer service.
People living in the North-West can try 6Ginternet. It guarantees download speeds of 45mbps for just £18.99p/m.
Burnley-based AltNet provider HS4internet is even cheaper. An excellent budget-friendly option, HS4 guarantees speeds of 40Mbp for £15.99p/m; that works out at just over 0.50p a day. Real value for money.
How much should I be paying for full fibre broadband?
Full fibre to the premises (FTTP) is the best type of broadband available in the UK right. It replaces those slow, old-fashion copper wires with high-speed, fibre optic cables that deliver smooth and stable internet direct to your property at lightning speeds.
As the premium option, FTTP is a little more expensive. However, you can still get a 100mbps package from AltNets like Brsk for £25 p/m; that includes guaranteed speeds, free installation, free set-up, and a no price rise guarantee. Well worth that few extra quid a month.
Larger households and families where everyone needs to be online require at least 300Mbps of full fibre broadband. This will cost a minimum of £30.99 pm, with some packages going up to almost £50 p/m.
Not cheap.
But that £50 p/m will feel like a small price to pay for living in a peaceful house where nobody argues over the internet anymore. Plus, calculated daily, you get the best internet connection for just £1.60 – less than a cup of coffee from Starbucks. So what will it be? One more pumpkin latte or an internet that never lags? It’s a no-brainer.
And for home working professionals who need a super-reliable internet connection that works every single time, full fibre is the stand-out choice.
How can I reduce my current broadband bills?
Broadband bills are on the rise. An Ofcom report found that broadband customers are looking at a yearly increase of over £160. And more price hikes could be on the way next year.
Then there are those food, energy, and petrol price rises to consider. Not good. Suddenly, a tight monthly budget feels much (much) tighter.
Here’s a rundown of some of the things you can do to reduce your monthly broadband bill:
- Stop paying for the internet you don’t use by reducing your download speeds.
- Ditch the landline and switch to a broadband-only deal.
- Look at new sign-ups and new customer deals.
- Renegotiate with your current provider. Suggesting you might leave is a great way to make special offers magically appear.
- Switch to an AltNet provider. They’re generally cheaper than the ‘big names,’ like Sky and Virgin.
Could you be paying less?
Are you overpaying for your broadband? Think you could shave a few pennies off your monthly bill?
Find out with the Broadband Market deal finder.
It’s a quick and easy search tool for finding the best (and cheapest) deals in your area.
Enter your postcode to see search results in seconds.
It’s simple. Search. Switch. Save.
