Top Tips for Comparing Broadband Providers

Broadband has become an increasingly more popular method of connecting to the internet than the traditional 'dial up' methods of the past. The benefits of broadband include a much faster speed (up to 40 times), not having to dial up and being able to use your telephone line at the same time as being connected to the internet.

The popularity of broadband has resulted in a huge number of providers offering their services. Each of these providers will normally offer a different range of packages, speeds and prices so it is often difficult to know just which provider and package to choose. For this reason, it is important to compare the different broadband packages on offer, using a price comparison website such as Broadband Genie .

Here are some of the most important points to consider when comparing broadband services:

• The price of a broadband package usually involves of a one-off installation fee with a separate monthly charge. The cost can also be altered depending on how many 'extras' are included, such as free email addresses and firewall packages.
• It is vital to have an idea of the sort of speed you will require from a broadband package. 2MB is fine for surfing the internet and sending emails, but if you want to download lots of film clips or are an online gaming fanatic, you'll probably need a much faster connection. Some providers offer up to 24Mb, albeit at a higher cost.
• Many providers including TalkTalk, Orange, and BT offer bundled packages. With this type of subscription, your broadband, phone line, calls and often digital TV channels are 'bundled' together on the same bill, usually allowing you to make some decent savings. However, be aware that sometimes the companies advertise the broadband as “free” with the other services, which is not strictly true as it is just one part of the offer.
• Mobile broadband is mainly viewed as a complementary product to home broadband, but could act as a replacement if you really are an occasional user. Mobile broadband allows you to access the internet from anywhere in the UK by plugging a small USB dongle into your laptop. The same rules apply to saving money: make sure you shop around and use consumer advice sites like Mobile Broadband Genie to get the cheapest deal or the deal most suited to you. Most mobile broadband contracts now come with a free laptop, so can provide real consumer value.

About the author: Chris Marling is editor of www.broadbandgenie.co.uk, the independent comparison website for broadband and mobile broadband.