Broadband Packages in the UK 2023

What is a broadband package?

A broadband package, also known as a bundle, combines broadband with other services such as TV, landline and mobile. Broadband providers used to only supply homes with standard broadband, but now more and more internet providers are offering add-ons to make better deals on popular household services such as TV, home phone and mobile. The advantage of getting all your home services from the same provider is that you can easily manage your bills from one account, and it can also help you save money.

How to compare broadband packages

Comparing broadband packages across providers might seem overwhelming as there are so many to choose from, but don’t worry, you can easily compare broadband packages once you know what services you’re looking for. Choose a standard broadband plan or opt to add extra services such as TV, phone and mobile contracts. Broadband packages will vary from provider to provider, as they all specialise in different services and broadband deals. Here’s a guide to the four internet packages providers typically offer:

Broadband-only deals

Get a broadband-only deal if you just want stand-alone broadband. This means that a provider will supply your home with an internet connection with no additional services. That said, most internet-service providers require you to have a landline and pay for line rental to access the internet. This will be the case if the provider uses the BT Openreach network. If you’re looking for a standard broadband connection without the need for a fixed line, the following providers offer it:

• BT
• EE
• Virgin Media
• Gigaclear

Broadband and phone package

When you get a broadband and phone package, a provider supplies your home with broadband and phone services. With this package, you’ll need to choose your internet speeds and calls allowance. Depending on the provider, you could get inclusive calls at certain times of the day, but most will offer a default package where you only pay for calls you make. This will be more convenient if you’re not a frequent caller or if you don’t want a phone service. If you make calls on a daily basis, it might be cheaper to opt for a package offering inclusive calls.

Keep in mind that calling internationally will always be more costly than calling within the UK, so if you’ve got family and friends abroad, inquire about the provider’s international rates.You’ll need to choose a package that meets your internet and phone needs. The best broadband and phone packages in the UK are offered by the following broadband providers:

• BT
• Hyperoptic
• Plusnet
• NOW Broadband 
• Shell Energy
• TalkTalk
• Virgin Media
• Vodafone 
• EE
• John Lewis

Broadband and TV packages

A broadband and TV package is one where a provider supplies your home with broadband and TV services. Depending on what the provider is offering, TV add-ons could include top entertainment programmes, films and sports packages. The number of providers offering broadband and TV deals is limited; here are the ones that do offer it:

• Sky
• BT
• TalkTalk
• NOW 
• EE

Broadband, TV and phone deals 

In some instances, a single provider could supply your home with internet, TV and phone services in one package. Providers with market-leading triple-play service include:

• Virgin Media
• TalkTalk
• NOW
• EE
• Sky
• BT

Some providers, such as Virgin Media, also offer bundles that include mobile services as well. This makes Virgin a “quad-play” provider. If you’re looking to group all these services into one monthly payment, this would be a good option for you. It will set you back a decent amount each month, but may be cheaper than paying for each service individually.

Types of broadband connection

ADSL 

ADSL broadband, or standard broadband, is the most basic type of internet connection. ADSL supplies homes with internet via copper cables, offering the slowest broadband speeds available. This type of broadband deal will be sufficient if you live alone and only use the internet for tasks such as browsing and emailing.

ADSL can only achieve download speeds of about 10Mbps and upload speeds of no more than 1.5Mbps. While standard broadband will still be adequate for some households, broadband providers are focusing more on supplying homes with quicker speeds with the help of fibre broadband.

Superfast fibre broadband

Fibre broadband provides an internet connection through the use of fibre-optic cables. Superfast broadband speeds start at about 30Mbps, which is three times faster than standard broadband. There are two types of fibre broadband:

Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC)

An FTTC connection provides quicker speeds than ADSL while still being affordable, which makes it a popular choice with broadband customers. FTTC combines fibre-optic and copper cables and can achieve average download speeds of up to 70Mbps and average upload speeds of about 15Mbps.

Full fibre or Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP)

FTTP, commonly known as full-fibre broadband, provides high-speed internet with the potential of achieving average speeds of 1,000Mbps. Full-fibre internet runs solely on fibre-optic cables, whereas FTTC runs on a mixture of two cables. Full-fibre average speeds can reach anywhere up to 1,000Mbps (equivalent to 1Gbps) depending on the deal you choose. While not all providers offer deals with the maximum download speeds available in the UK, some suppliers specialise in this type of fibre-broadband deal. For a gigabit FTTP internet connection, take a look at the following providers:

• Gigaclear
• Hyperoptic
• Zen Internet
• Virgin Media

Be aware that, if you’ve taken out a gigabit broadband deal, you probably won’t experience the maximum average speeds using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is less reliable than an ethernet connection and tends to slow your speeds down. If you want to get the most out of your connection, use an ethernet cable.

Cable broadband

Cable broadband average speeds sit somewhere between FTTC and FTTP broadband. Cable broadband uses coaxial cables instead of copper ones, providing average download speeds that range between 36 and about 500Mbps. Virgin Media is the only major broadband provider offering a cable broadband service, with most going the way of fibre broadband.

Wireless broadband (Wi-Fi)

A wireless connection, also referred to as Wi-Fi, can transmit information via radio waves from your router without the need for a cable. Most homes use wireless broadband to connect devices to the router but, for a more stable connection, you can use an ethernet cable.

An ethernet connection isn’t as convenient but can maximise your average speeds and guarantee less interruptions. It’s not uncommon to experience internet issues due to Wi-Fi, as it can be cut-off by obstructions in the house between the router and your device. If you’re having internet issues, try using an ethernet cable to regulate it.

Broadband with line rental

Standard broadband often comes with line rental, which is ideal if you’re a frequent caller. Certain broadband providers offer free calls if you buy into a broadband deal with a phone line. While having a fixed line might be of no use to you, it’s often a requirement, as many broadband providers supply your home with internet via the Openreach network.

Openreach connects users to the internet through a phone line. The price of line rental is typically included in the price you pay for broadband. If you don’t have a phone line installed, you’ll need to pay a one-off set-up fee. If you don’t plan on using your landline, consider going with a provider that doesn’t require a fixed line to get you connected.

Broadband with TV add-ons

Some providers offer the option of adding TV to your broadband deal at a reduced price. Becoming a pay-TV customer with the same provider has certain benefits:

• It’s often more affordable, thanks to occasional discounts when you have a subscription for more than one service.
• New customers sometimes get freebies, vouchers and free smart gadgets.

Before purchasing broadband with TV add-ons, there are a few important points to consider:

How much TV do you watch?

If you just stream TV from apps such as Netflix and Prime Video, adding TV to your broadband may not save you much. TV add-ons usually offer a certain number of freeview channels as standard and charge you for extras such as premium entertainment channels, films and sport. They don’t often provide memberships to streaming apps, though some do offer trials to streaming services as perks.

Do you mind being restricted to fewer providers?

There are only a few providers offering broadband and TV bundles, so you’ll have less options to choose from. It usually means limiting yourself to major providers such as Sky, Virgin Media and BT.

Are you happy to commit to a long-term contract?

These packages usually have 18-month or 24-month minimum terms, so, if you want to switch providers, you could end up facing a termination fee for leaving your contract early.

UK broadband packages

Take a look at the best broadband deals in the UK. There’s always a great deal out there, no matter what type of package you’re after.

Broadband-only deals

Broadband-only deals could be a good option if you’re only interested in an internet connection. Providers may advertise a deal as being broadband-only even if it includes a phone line, particularly if the provider uses the Openreach network. BT, EE, and Virgin Media offer broadband-only deals without the need to pay for line rental. These deals include:

Broadband and phone deals 

There are plenty of broadband providers offering broadband and phone deals, but the best plans should combine fibre broadband with line rental for a good price. The following providers offer competitive broadband and phone packages:

All the deals above come on a pay-as-you-go tariff. If you’re interested in inclusive calls and texts, these deals are available as part of a bundle with NOW TV, Virgin Media, and a few others. 

Broadband and TV deals

Many providers offer TV add-ons, so you can get all of your favourite channels live and on demand. Each provider offers access to different channels and streaming apps, so ask them if they’re offering the channels you want access to. Here are some of the best broadband and TV bundles:

Broadband, phone and TV deals

Deals that include three or more services are often referred to as bundles. Getting your broadband, phone and TV services from the same provider can be cheaper than buying each service individually. That said, always compare deals before getting a bundle, as price is not the only factor to consider. Contract length, suitability of phone and TV services, and broadband speed are equally important. Here’s an easy guide to the best bundles out there:

Price

Always shop around before choosing your package to find the best and cheapest deal for you. If you compare broadband deals across providers, you’ll find that some packages are better value for money. In some cases, the same provider might even offer faster speeds for the same monthly cost as lower average speeds elsewhere.

If you’re interested in a bundle with broadband, TV and phone services, try calculating the overall monthly cost of these services if you were to buy them individually. This will help you figure out whether the bundle is a better deal or not. Other costs to consider are potential one-off activation fees or any upfront costs. While it’s easy to forget about additional costs, remember to compare the total price of your broadband deal as costs can easily add up. 

Download limit

The majority of broadband providers offer unlimited broadband, so you can download as much as you want without having to worry. Most providers don’t mention that they provide unlimited broadband as it’s often expected by customers. Even if this is the case, you should always ask the provider about download limits. Having a limit on downloads could be troublesome if you frequently download films for streaming and other large files. 

Broadband speeds

Upload speeds and download speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and the higher the Mbps, the faster your connection will be. Having slower broadband speeds than necessary will negatively affect your experience, so choosing the right download speeds and upload speeds is important. Be realistic about your internet usage and keep in mind that connecting multiple devices to your Wi-Fi will slow it down. To get the best out of your connection, use an ethernet cable when possible, as obstructions in your home can affect the quality of the wireless signal from your router.

Availability

If you’re still shopping around for the perfect broadband deal, use a postcode checker to find out which providers supply broadband in your area and what packages they offer. When using an online postcode checker, you’ll need to specify which type of broadband package you’re looking for. If you’re looking into a bundle with broadband, TV and phone, you may need to supply an existing landline number (if you have one) and the type of TV service you’re looking for. If you’ve already got your heart set on a deal, you’ll just need to use a postcode checker to find out whether it’s available in your area. 

Customer service

You’ll probably need tech support at some point, so choosing a provider with a good customer-support team is an important factor to consider. Check the provider’s online reviews to find out about the quality of customer service it offers and customer satisfaction rates. 

Contract length

Providers typically offer a fixed-term contract with their packages. A contract length of 12 or 18 months is normal, and some stretch as far as 24-month contracts. Certain providers let you choose the minimum term you want from a few options, and longer contracts typically have a lower monthly cost. Rolling 30-day contracts are available in some cases – ideal if you’re looking for flexibility. 

The contract length you choose is important. While you don’t want to opt for a short-term contract if you’re planning on staying with a provider in the long term, choosing a long-term contract and ending it early can incur costs. This is because ending a deal mid-contract often means paying the rest of the contract off before you leave.

No matter when you’re ending your contract, you need to give 30 days’ notice. To end a contract penalty-free, make sure you only have one month left on it or have already reached the end of it. 

Perks and add-ons

Inquire as to the perks and add-ons you could benefit from when you’re thinking of becoming a customer. Occasionally, new customers can get special offers on broadband bundles or get access to deals that existing customers don’t.

There may be special offers for broadband, phone and TV customers when using all three services. Perks and add-ons can include gift cards for high-street brands, discounts on activities and extra minutes or channels for free.