Lots of providers rack up prices after the initial contract, so you could be overpaying for slower speeds than you might otherwise get with a different deal.

Nowadays, faster broadband coverage is available in more areas, so even if it wasn’t accessible to you before, it could be now. Check which broadband deals are available in your local area using our handy comparison tool.

The main cost of a new broadband package will be set-up fees. This one-off charge could include the price of a router, installation, an engineer coming over, connection and postage. You could pay anything from nothing up to about £60.

Providing you’re not tied into a contract with your current supplier, they should take care of cancelling everything for you. If you time it right and give your new supplier your cancellation date they will normally try to get you setup the very same day so there’s no down-time. (most providers normally need between 3-6 weeks notice if an engineer is required to come out)

If you’re struggling with the switch or just need advice ahead of changing providers, you can talk to our switching support team on 0800 542 4704 for free impartial advice.

Generally, you can be up and running in around 2-3 weeks with a new supplier. However, the times can vary depending on your individual circumstances, provider and location. Our switching support team are always on hand to help should you get stuck. You can contact them on 0800 542 4704.

Yes, providing you’ve got permission from the landlord or letting agent to have a phone line or fibre installed on the premises. Some TV services may require a satellite dish to be installed – we would always recommend contacting the owner of the property you’re renting before going ahead with this.

Yes. A credit check will always be conducted ahead of the contract being confirmed. If for any reason you’re not happy with the results of the check, you can get in touch with our support team.

Line rental is the cost of using the phone line to connect to the internet. Every ADSL connection has to have a phone line installed to provide a secure internet connection into your home. Some providers, such as Virgin Media, offer connections via fibre-optic cables enabling you to have internet access without a phone line.

This is the total price that you’ll pay for the first 12 months of your contract. Some providers offer lower monthly payments for the first year, which could then change after the initial 12 month period.

The speed of your broadband is how fast you can download and upload stuff to the internet. Measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The UK average is around 16-18Mbps, which will be suitable for most households.

However, if there’s more than 3 of you in the house, you use a lot of internet-enabled devices or you’re likely to find yourself having regular Netflix marathons or PS4 battles then you might want to think about looking for something a bit speedier. Most providers offer a faster broadband package – especially the like of Virgin via its fibre-optic network.

Fibre-optic broadband takes its name from the type of cables that are used to deliver broadband to your home. Unlike traditional ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) broadband, which uses copper phone lines to transfer data, fibre-optic cables are made up of tiny strands of plastic or glass.

Fibre-optic broadband is useful if you’ve got lots of connected devices at home, like a smart TV, smart speaker, or smart light bulbs. Used together, these devices all demand a rapid connection speed. It’s also helpful if you want to stream 4K TV.

ADSL stands for asymmetric digital subscriber line, a broadband connection delivered through home telephone lines. In order to install it, you need a phone line from BT, which owns the UK’s landline infrastructure. If you already have a phone line, ADSL broadband will simply be added to the package.  

ADSL goes through copper wires within your phone line. As most of us are already connected to a BT phone line, it’s by far the most popular type of broadband available; it’s also simple to set up.