The best broadband deals in May 2017
Finding the best broadband internet deals can be a bit of a minefield – there are so many options. Do you need superfast fibre broadband? Is cheaper ADSL enough? Should you go for broadband only, or add TV to your package?
We're here to help you make that decision. Pop in your postcode above and we'll give you a list of the lowest priced home broadband deals available in your area. With the latest offers from BT Infinity, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk all included, our widget will filter down the best broadband deals.
Below, you'll find TechRadar's handpicked favourite deals for fibre (if you can get it), broadband and tv packages and broadband only plans. Keep scrolling down and you'll find our advice on what else you should consider when buying broadband – from the speed you'll need, to whether getting fibre broadband is a must for your household.
Best fibre broadband deals (subject to availability at your postcode)
Sky Fibre | 18 months | Up to 38Mb | Phone line inc. | No TV | £48.95 upfront | £20pm
Sky is currently blazing the trail when it comes the cheapest possible fibre broadband prices. £20 is a stupendous monthly spend if you don't mind splashing around £50 at the outset. And if you fancy Sky TV as well, you'll get a 33% discount on your chosen package. Total cost of 18 months £408.95
View this deal at Sky broadband
Virgin Media Player Bundle | 12 months | Up to 100Mb | Weekend calls | 70+ channels | £20 upfront | £32pm
Virgin Media is still the only broadband company that can offer pulverising 100Mb broadband speeds. And its current cheapest package throws TV into the mix as well, with a 500GB TiVo box and 70+ regular and HD channels. This is a brilliant price for rapid home internet speeds, but your price will go up to £45 a month after the first year. Total cost of 12 months £404
View this deal at Virgin Media
The best broadband and TV deals in May 2017
EE TV with Unlimited Fibre | 18 months | Up to 38Mb | Weekend calls | 70 channels | £32 upfront | £36.50pm
If a basic set of TV channels is enough for your household, this deal from EE is pretty sweet. You'll also get access to their TV app so you can watch live TV and make recordings on/from your phone. And somehow, it's cheapest if you go for 38Mb fibre – it's £20 more expensive if you can only get standard ADSL. Total cost of 18 months £689
View this deal at EE broadband
Virgin Media Mix Bundle | 12 months | Up to 100Mb | Weekend calls | 70+ channels | £20 upfront | £39pm
For an extra £7 a month to Virgin's cheapest deal above, you can double the channels and start to get some really juicy television. Sky 1 and Sky Living will appear on Virgin's upgraded V6 box, as well as the likes of MTV, TCM and Eurosport – so something everyone. Total cost of 12 months £488
View this deal at Virgin Media
The best broadband only deals in May 2017
BT Unlimited Broadband | 12 months | Up to 17Mb | Weekend calls | No TV | £9.99 upfront | £23.99pm
As if this super cheap deal from BT broadband wasn't already attractive enough – £23.99 a month with a negligible set-up fee – but they're also throwing in a £75 BT Reward Card to sweeten the deal. It effectively brings your yearly total spend down to little more than £200. Total cost of 12 months £297.87
View this deal at BT broadband
John Lewis Unlimited Broadband | 12 months | Up to 17Mb | Evening and weekend calls | No TV | FREE upfront | £20pm
John Lewis certainly isn't the first name you think of when it comes to broadband, but we really thought this deal was worth shouting about. You don't pay a penny up front for the router or connection to ADSL, and the included phone line fee covers unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines. Total cost of 12 months £240
View this deal at John Lewis Broadband
What broadband speed do I need?
Superfast fibre broadband may sound appetising, but it may not be necessary for your home – especially if you want to cut costs. It could be worth considering slower, cheaper ADSL instead.
Broadband speeds are represented in megabits per second, or Mb. Crudely speaking, the more Mbs, the faster the broadband speed. But remember that the advertised speed is the maximum and doesn't necessarily represent the actual speed you'll end up getting. That varies depending where you live.
0-25Mb This entry-level broadband speed is transmitted via an ADSL connection to your nearest BT exchange. The equivalent to around 2.1MB per second, It should be fast enough for small households where only one or two people are using the internet at once. Be aware that if you stream TV, you may experience the odd interruption.
25-50Mb Where Virgin led the way, the rest followed. Now every big provider offers rapid fibre broadband. This is the sweet spot between fast speeds and good value and just the ticket for a family household where four or five members are all streaming, downloading and surfing at once.
50+Mb If you stream 4K TV or have loads of people trying to use your broadband connection at once, then it may be worth shelling out for the extra speed. It may cost you more, but you're pretty much guaranteed lag-free use – plus, the providers often sweeten the deal with added extras and rewards.
Is fibre broadband available in my area?
There's one very easy way to find out…scroll to the top of this page and input your postcode. We'll tell you straight away whether you can get fast fibre broadband.
Roughly speaking, 90% of UK homes now have the option of connecting to fibre broadband. But if you have your heart on Virgin Media fibre plans, it's more like around 60%.
What contract length should I go for?
Most broadband providers lock you in for at least 12 months, with one year plans being by far the most common. That said, perhaps taking their cue from mobile phone contracts, we are now seeing some providers experimenting with longer plans, with 18 month contracts rearing their heads.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some providers now offer short term rolling contracts. Virgin Media, for example, have 30 day plans for commitment-phobes. The downside is you'll be expected to play a larger setup fee.
When your contract comes to an end, be prepared for your monthly tariff to be hiked – especially if you were lucky enough to get a great introductory offer at the outset.
Will I have to pay anything upfront for broadband?
Usually. Sometimes known as 'setup', 'upfront' or 'activation' fees, most of the major broadband providers ask for at least some payment when you kick off your contract. The amount usually depends on what level of package you go for, but it will likely be somewhere between £10 and £50. Only TalkTalk bucks the trend – they've scrapped their activation fee completely.
Do I have to pay more to have a phone line?
If you still use a home landline to make and receive calls, you're in luck – many broadband plans don't just feature a landline, but they actually include it in your monthly price.
You will have to start paying more though when you have a personalised call plan. You'll see your standard monthly bill begin to escalate when you start adding unlimited evening, daytime or international calls to the mix.