Broadband

Significantly faster than the dated dial-up internet service, broadband is now a vital household utility. Not only does broadband allow individuals to connect to the internet on their laptop, computer or tablet, but it can also be used to take advantage of internet television services.
While there are some broadband providers which offer broadband-only deals, most ADSL broadband providers require individuals to take out a landline and broadband bundle.

Types of Broadband
The most popular and most widely available type of broadband is ADSL broadband. This type of broadband uses a special filter which divides your phone line into two channels, one for the landline and another for internet. This type of internet has great download speeds but is not capable of high upload speeds. If you are frequently uploading videos and pictures online, you may be better off with fibre-optic broadband.
As its name suggests, fibre-optic broadband connects homes to the internet by using fibre-optic cables. These cables are made of either glass or plastic which enables them to deliver super-fast broadband with no interference. This makes fibre-optic broadband an excellent choice for heavy internet users. Unfortunately, as this technology is relatively new, fibre-optic broadband is more expensive than ADSL broadband. In addition, fibre-optic broadband is not available throughout the entire UK.

Factors to Take into Account
Before you start comparing the different broadband deals out there, it is important to establish what type of broadband user you are: light, medium or heavy. Light users use the internet from time to time for completing simple tasks such as emailing, checking social media and reading the news. Light users can usually get by with the cheapest plans available. At the other end of the spectrum, heavy internet users tend to download more and often play online multiplayer games. As a result, heavy users will be better suited to a super-fast broadband package with unlimited downloads.
You will also need to check which internet providers serve your local area, especially if you are considering fibre-optic broadband as this is typically limited to urban areas. All broadband providers have postcode check forms on their websites which allow you to determine whether you can get their services in your area.

How to Get the Best Deal
As broadband deals vary in length and many providers offer lower introductory rates to entice new customers, contrasting monthly costs will not provide an accurate comparison. Instead, you should compare the total cost of the contracts.