Broadband Price

[Scarlett]

Hi all, I was wondering what you pay for your broadband per month? I’ve just signed up with Plusnet for 26.99 pcm for two years, and I’m wondering whether I could get a better deal anywhere else? I’m still in the cooling off period, so could potentially change in July.

[Gromit]

Do you know what speed you will be getting?

If your deal is for fast fibre, it sounds OK.

[Scarlett]

Unlimited Fibre Extra has an average speed of 66Mb download and 18Mb upload.

At peak times, we estimate that you'll get the following speeds on your line:
Download: 59 - 67Mb
Upload: 16 - 18Mb
Minimum Guaranteed Speed: 53.9Mb.

I don’t think that’s fast fibre is it? I believe it’s being rolled out, and isn’t in my area yet.

[Buenchico]

Let's start with what you actually need. That's because broadband providers like to make you think that faster speeds are automatically much better but that's not necessarily the case for many people.

If you live in a house full of teenagers, nearly all of whom will want to be watching video streams, or playing the latest online video games, simultaneously, then you might well need a reasonably high download speed. However if, like me, you live on your own and just use the internet for casual web browsing and, say, watching something like Netflix, BBC iPlayer or Now TV in standard definition, you'll not require fantastic speeds.

I'm using an old-fashioned ADSL connection that gives me just 10 Mbps. However that's nearly twice what I actually need just to watch Now TV or BBC iPlayer, plus some casual web browsing. So (apart possibly from being able to download large files a bit quicker or to upload long videos to YouTube somewhat faster, both of which I hardly ever do anyway), I'd gain absolutely nothing from having a faster broadband speed. If I had, say, a speed of 50 Mbps (or greater) the only difference it would make to me would be a bigger hole in my bank balance.

To watch, say, Netflix in high definition (HD), the recommended minimum download speed is a mere 3 Mbps (although I'd suggest that 5 Mbps might prove to be little more reliable). To watch Netflix in full HD (FHD), the minimum recommended speed is 5 Mbps (but I'd suggest 8 Mbps as a true minimum for reliability. Watching in ultra HD (UHD) nominally requires a minimum of 15 Mbps (but I'd suggest 20 Mbps for a reliable service).

So, if you're on your own, it's highly unlikely that you need anything greater than 20 Mbps. Higher speeds will simply mean higher prices and absolutely nothing else.

Having got all of that out of the way, I'll point you to the Money Saving Expert website, so that you can seek out the best deal for your needs:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/?feature=socialtariffs

[Scarlett]

Thanks Buen, very helpful indeed, as always!

[Thisoldbird]

I wonder if members here know, if one is claiming Pension Credit and other benefits , I not sure which ones..BT and I believe other Suppliers have a special tariff of £15 pm anytime calls and Fibre Broadband. No idea on speed tho.

[david small]

I get 59meg down 23meg up free phone 24/7 £33 a monthly.

[davebro]

I with talktalk (about 30 mb I think). Just gone up from £22 to £25odd.
Not worth the hassle of changing (what they bank on?).

[barry1010]

Old bird, that's the social tariff, lots of providers offer it https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

[Scarlett]

Thank you all. I did ask about the social tariff, but I think it is quite a slow speed.

[pastafreak]

This is good to know. When I first heard about the social tariff and checked to see if virgin did it, only universal credit was mentioned. Looks like it's pension credit now too.

[barry1010]

Scarlett, the speed is more than good enough unless you have a houseful all streaming movies or playing games like Call of Duty on different devices at the same time.
You certainly shouldn't notice any lag or buffering