If you’re looking to sign up for a new broadband deal, there are a lot of factors to consider. These include speed, value for money and customer service.
The UK Broadband Market is a lot bigger than you might think, with over 300 different providers. However, BT, EE and Plusnet are the largest providers with around 9 million customers each.
1. Speed
If you’re a heavy internet user, you’ll need a best broadband provider connection. This is especially important if you stream movies or TV shows or play online games.
Speed isn’t the most important factor when comparing broadband deals, but it’s worth considering if you’re on the hunt for a good deal. Some packages are more expensive for faster speeds than others, so you’ll need to consider your circumstances and how many devices you have in your home.
You may also want to check out broadband bundles – these often include other services such as landline phone and TV subscriptions, which can save you money. However, keep in mind that these deals tend to add extra costs, which can offset any savings you’d make on your monthly bill.
2. Value for money
Value for money is an important factor when choosing a broadband provider. Not all providers offer the same value, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal possible.
There are many things to consider when shopping for a broadband plan including data allowances, perks and customer service ratings. It’s also important to look at the monthly cost, as some plans will include additional costs such as modem, connection and delivery fees.
Broadband deals can often include bundled services such as Netflix, landline phone call plans and mobile phone contracts. However, these can add to the overall price of the package and aren’t always worth it.
Smaller internet service providers generally tend to perform better than their bigger competitors, although this doesn’t mean they won’t go bust at some point. Similarly, UK based customer support centres tend to do better than overseas ones.
3. Reliability
A reliable broadband service is key for families, especially when kids are at home or parents are working from home. The best broadband provider should offer fast download and upload speeds, which can be used to stream video content and play games as well as browse the internet.
The best broadband providers also have excellent customer support, with most answering phone calls within a few minutes. Some of the larger providers are renowned for their call handling skills, with Virgin Media and Sky achieving top billing in this department.
While some larger broadband providers have a reputation for being the best, there are a number of smaller full fibre providers that deserve credit, too. Among them are Hyperoptic and Community Fibre, who have both received a 4.9 Trustscore from Trustpilot’s customers.
4. Customer service
When choosing a broadband provider it is important to consider the customer service they offer. The best providers will have knowledgeable and personable customer service teams that can answer any questions you may have quickly and efficiently.
In addition, they will be able to offer support in various ways that suit your preferences. This could include telephone support, email, live chat or online forums.
The speed offered by each provider is also a factor to consider. Broadband plans usually come with a range of download and upload speeds – the faster the speed, the more you can do online at once.
Complaint levels are also an indicator of how well a provider performs in this area, as are customer satisfaction ratings. BT is renowned for offering the highest levels of satisfaction, while Sky and EE are known to resolve complaints quickly and efficiently.
