Broadband Providers
UK Internet users are spoilt for choice these days when selecting an ISP. And because of the high level of competition in the UK broadband market there are some great deals to be had at the moment, many of which offer connection speeds over 40Mb and unlimited monthly downloads.
AOL
AOL currently offers two different broadband packages. Both feature a download speed of up to 8Mb and upload speed of 256Kb, a monthly download allowance of 10GB and both come with a free wireless router worth £50. The AOL Wireless Broadband with Unlimited Calls package also includes free phone calls at all times to UK land lines (except 0870 numbers). AOL broadband packages are offered on 18 month contracts.
Be
While perhaps not as widely known as many other ISP’s, Be is a broadband provider with a lot to offer. Named ‘Best Consumer Fixed Broadband ISP’ at the 2010 ISPA Awards, all Be broadband packages feature an unlimited monthly download allowance and a free Be Box wireless modem. The Be Value package has download speeds up to 12Mb whereas the Be Unlimited & Be Pro packages offer 24Mb connections plus optional static IP addresses.
BT
BT is the biggest broadband provider in the country and offers up to 20Mb ADSL broadband and up to 40Mb BT Infinity fibre optic broadband. All BT broadband packages are offered on 18-month contracts and come with a BT Home Hub which is widely heralded as amongst the very best wireless routers.
With BT as your broadband provider you’ll get a choice of 10GB, 40GB or unlimited monthly download allowance plus the option to bundle your broadband with a digital TV and inclusive calls package.
Eclipse
Eclipse offers up to 24Mb home and business ADSL broadband with a wide range of monthly download allowances from 2GB to unlimited. Subscribing to any Eclipse package gives you the option to add a fixed IP address while Pro subscribers can enjoy unmetered downloads overnight from 11pm-9am.
Many packages feature free unlimited landline calls and all customers receive a free wireless router and access to a UK-based technical helpline.
O2
O2 is a home ADSL broadband provider that offers both standalone broadband and broadband and calls bundles. The top download speed is 20Mb and subscribers can choose from very generous monthly download allowances of 20GB, 100GB and 250GB.
Subscribers benefit from 24/7 technical support from an award-winning UK call centre. If you have a pay monthly O2 mobile phone you will qualify for a £5 per month reduction on your broadband bill.
Orange
Mobile phone provider Orange offers home broadband packages up to 20Mb with the option to add an inclusive off-peak or anytime calls plan. All Orange home broadband packages come with an unlimited monthly download allowance, which is not restricted by a fair usage policy, and a free Livebox wireless router. All Orange contracts run for 18 months.
Plusnet
Plusnet offers excellent support to their customers, which has seen them previously awarded the title of 'Best Consumer Customer Service'. All of their packages offer connection speeds of up to 20Mb and all subscribers receive a free wireless router.
While Plusnet does not currently offer any unlimited download packages their Plusnet Extra Broadband deal has a monthly download allowance of 60GB, which should be more than enough for all but the heaviest users. The Pro Broadband package is optimized for online gamers and offers a static IP address to keep you them the action without any annoying interruptions.
Post Office
With the Post Office as your broadband provider you can enjoy download speeds of up to 8Mb and a your choice of 5GB or unlimited monthly download allowance. When you sign up you’ll receive a free modem and the option to add an inclusive calls plan that brings you unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines.
Sky
Broadband packages from Sky can be a very attractive proposition as they can be bundled with a range of digital TV and call packages. The basic package includes a 2GB monthly download allowance while the top-end package includes truly unlimited downloads.
All Sky broadband packages include a free wireless router, free McAfee Security Internet Suite for 12 months and 24 hour technical support.
Tesco
Tesco offers broadband packages at up to 20Mb with an unlimited monthly download allowance and unlimited weekend landline calls. If you choose Tesco as your broadband provider you’ll also get a wireless router, the option to increase your inclusive calls allowance to either unlimited off-peak or anytime calls and reduced rate line rental.
TalkTalk
With TalkTalk as your home broadband provider you can enjoy some of the very cheapest broadband packages in the country with a very respectable up to 24Mb download speed.
Packages come with a choice of 40GB or unlimited monthly download allowance and include a free wireless router. You can bundle your TalkTalk broadband package with inclusive off-peak or anytime calls on a contract lasting 12 months.
Virgin Media
Virgin Media is the biggest and most well-established fibre optic broadband provider in the UK. With Virgin as your cable broadband provider you can enjoy a range of download speeds from 10Mb to 100Mb, an unlimited monthly download allowance and a free wireless router.
Most Virgin Media customers choose to bundle their Virgin Media broadband with a digital TV package with up to 175+ TV channels and a landline phone service.