Choosing A Broadband Deal – What To Look For

One topic I see recurring over and over again in many broadband forums is the subject of “who offers the best broadband deal?”.

It’s certainly true that with so many broadband providers now offering high-speed internet access choosing a package that’s right for you has become more difficult.

And it’s also true that asking people (or fellow customers) their opinions is a great idea; no matter how subjective these opinions they will, in most cases, be true (although by human nature you are likely to hear more of the negatives than the positives!).

But what else can you do to pick your way through the broadband maze and find the most suitable package?

Firstly take a step back from looking at prices and ask yourself what you need from a broadband provider. Do you need high-speed access for downloading movies, photos and music or are you just looking to surf sites and access email – if so a slower speed at a lower price may be more suitable.

If you are looking to download various forms of entertainment media then think about just how much downloading you want to perform. Different broadband deals offer different monthly download limits while some even offer unlimited downloads.

As well as speed and download requirements you might want to consider if you just want a broadband package or a bundle package that includes telephone calls and digital TV.

Finally you may simply have a budget that dictates the type of broadband deal you’re looking for.

If you’ve considered the above factors then by now you should have a pretty good idea of the type of broadband package you need. With this knowledge behind you it’s time to start looking at the available options.

You could either look through the deals offered by various broadband providers by visiting their sites or use comparison services to cut down on time and see all the deals in one place.

Once you’ve identified the deal that’s right for you simply complete your application and you should be up and running within 10 days. If you already have a broadband subscription and want to switch just ask your current provider for your MAC code and supply that to your new provider with your application.

Happy surfing!

O2 Broadband Targets Customer Satisfaction

The 15th October 2007 finally saw the launch of O2 into the UK broadband market. O2 supply millions of UK customers with mobile phone services and they are now looking to use that customer base and establish themselves as a major force in the broadband arena.

So having finally overcome previous delays, what exactly are O2 offering that’s any different to the rafts of broadband providers already in operation?

The answer, it appears, is a customer focused approach. 2007 has seen a huge rise in the volume of bad press aimed at broadband companies. With complaints ranging from slow speeds to hidden charges it has been a difficult time to operate in the industry (and rightly so).

We’ve also seen providers struggle to meet huge demands when launching ‘low-cost, high-speed’ offers; Sky and Talk Talk are two that certainly spring to mind.

Judging by way O2 have chosen to prepare and announce their arrival it appears they have been watching recent events very closely. They are offering a commendable 100-day money back guarantee to all unsatisfied customers who sign up to an O2 broadband deal by the end of January 2008.

Having put up this mammoth guarantee we can only assume O2 are incredibly confident in their ability to avoid the troubles experienced by other providers. I feel O2 should be congratulated for putting more focus on serving their customers; hopefully it will encourage other providers to follow suit.

O2 currently offers three broadband packages, all with unlimited usage:

• Standard: £17.50pm with up to 8MB download speeds
• Premium: £20.00pm with up to 16MB download speeds
• Ultimate: £25.00pm with up to 20MB download speeds

All O2 pay monthly customers can receive £10.00pm off these tariff prices.

If anybody signs up to O2 broadband I’d be really interested to hear your experiences and opinions. Feel free to share them in the comments…

Performed A Broadband Speed Test Recently?

Following on from a previous post concerning broadband customers not receiving the speeds they pay for an article on the BBC website today highlights a speed test survey carried out by Computeractive magazine which indicates the problem is not getting any better.

Of 3,000 speed tests conducted over 60 percent received half the speed advertised by their provider.

With broadband companies advertising undeliverable speeds to attract customers under false pretences Ofcom (the regulatory body for the broadband industry) are being urged to intervene.

People in many areas are unable to receive fast connections as the UK lags behind most of Europe in setting up high speed broadband connections. Very few people are able to benefit from the 8Mbps packages that are advertised so strongly with the majority of customers doing well to receive between 2Mbps and 4Mbps.

If you are currently paying for a super fast broadband package run a speed test to find out what speed you are really receiving. If your broadband provider is not delivering the service you’re paying for raise the issue with them and ask they improve the quality of your connection or compensate you with a lower monthly subscription.

While it make take a while for Ofcom to get involved you can take action now by challenging your existing broadband provider or moving to a new one.

Carry out a speed test today!

Broadband Incentives Worth A Look?

With the UK broadband market continued to become more crowded, o2 are on their way as well, providers are pulling out all the stops to attract customers.

Two broadband providers in particular this month have caught the eye:

Tiscali - offering a triple-play package for £19.99 a month that, in addition to 2MB broadband connection, offers free calls to UK landlines at weekends, 50 free digital TV channels and inclusive line rental thrown in for good measure.

AOL – if you choose to sign up with their wireless 8MB broadband package for £14.99 a month (£9.99 a month for the first six months) they’ll throw in a free Dell Inspiron Laptop as well as the free wireless router.

While I’m not trying to endorse or promote these offers you have to admit they offer an excellent insight into the current state of the market.

If you are unhappy with your current broadband internet provider I say there has never been a better time to look around for a better deal; you might even pick up a freebie in the process.

Broadband Guides – Six Of The Best

Here is a selection of broadband guides I have found useful. Whether you are buying broadband for the first time, switching provider, or simply want to learn more about broadband the following guides are a worthwhile read:

broadbandgenie - a comprehensive guide, especially useful for beginners, that includes a beginners’ guide as well as information on contracts, setup and switching broadband providers.

broadband-finder - explains all the areas you need to consider when choosing a broadband package.

broadband-123 - excellent explanations of broadband terminology as well as a table to held work out you usage requirements.

broadbandinternetuk - a set of six guides including help for beginners’ as well as help comparing broadband packages and switching providers.

broadband-guide - an incredibly colourful guide that includes a jargon buster and information on the different types of broadband.

moneysupermarket - an eight page guide that discusses user types, bundled products and how to find the best broadband deals.

These guides have helped me enormously in my ongoing education about the broadband industry and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to learn more about broadband. While some of the information may be repeated I feel they are all valid resources that offer something to novices and experts alike.

If anyone has found any other useful broadband resources please post them in the comments and I will gladly take a look.

Broadband Setup Fees Explained

If you have ever gone through the process of ordering broadband you may have come across the dreaded setup fee. This fee, charged by your broadband provider, is often criticised as a money spinner for broadband companies.

So why are broadband companies charging this fee?

When you order your broadband package your service provider may have to oversee the admin side of your connection (possibly including cancelling your old subscription for you), provide you with the necessary hardware i.e. your modem or router and even organise an engineer to install any new connections or phone lines.

All this costs money so in some ways the setup fee can be justified; although this has not stopped some broadband providers coming under fire for charging excessively.

Over the last 12 months however things have started to turn in the favour of you, the customer. As the broadband market becomes increasingly competitive providers have to work even harder to win you custom.

This has seen some providers discarding their setup fees or offering more to justify the cost.

The next time you look to purchase broadband remember that as a customer in a competitive market you hold a lot of power. Try haggling with your prospective broadband provider to waive their setup fee in return for securing another valuable client.

What have you got to lose!

Switching Broadband Provider? Get Your MAC Code

With the broadband industry becoming more competitive many subscribers are looking to switch to a better deal.

However many people have complained of problems with their switch to a new broadband provider; either having no broadband at all, paying for two contracts at once or the whole process taking far too long.

If you trying to switch to a new broadband deal you can make the process run far more smoothly by obtaining your MAC code from your current provider.

MAC stands for Migration Authority Code and helps providers to switch your account over quickly and easily.

All you need to do is ask your current broadband provider to send you your MAC code. They are legally obligated to do this within five working days so don’t accept any excuses.

Once you have your code pass it to the broadband company you wish to switch to and they will do the rest. You don’t even have to cancel your current contract as this will be done by your new provider.

How easy is that!