Is there such a thing as a free lunch, or at least a free broadband package which lets you surf for free lunch recipes at download speeds of up to 8Mb? 

This year has seen the launch of three free broadband deals already and people in the industry are talking of broadband as being commoditised – turning it into something that can be packaged up and added on to other products.

So – is free broadband worth it if you’re looking for a broadband package? 

After the initial launch fanfare for free broadband deals, with large numbers of people signing up, others have naturally been sceptical, and it’s true that to get the free broadband you have to sign up for (or already subscribe to) another qualifying product. 

But let’s face it, like all special offers and deals they're going to be worth different things to different people and one person’s fantastic bargain is someone else’s dodgy impulse buy.  So if you’re looking for free broadband, think about the following:

1. Work out what you need If you already subscribe to the qualifying package then you might think taking the new free element (broadband) is a bit of a no-brainer but it is still worth checking out what you get. There are so many different broadband packages around now, targeted at everyone from the casual family web surfer to the heavy gamer or the home business, that you may find a different broadband package that, while costing you more, is actually better value to you as it offers you what you want and need from your broadband. They may not offer free broadband but there are some great broadband switching deals around (eg BT Total Broadband) and some really good introductory offers (eg AOL).

2. Compare products If you don't get the free product automatically and you'll have to subscribe to a new product in order to receive it, check it out thoroughly. If you need the other product (often a phone package) check how much your current package costs, what extras you get with it and whether you have signed up for a contract that it might cost you to break at this stage. Check your phone bills and see when you make most calls. Also how long do you need to sign up for the new package for?

3. Check forums It is also worth checking broadband forums online to see what existing customers of the free product think - of the package itself and the internet provider’s customer service.

4. Check out other broadband offers It’s worth taking a few minutes to look at other bundled products as they may still work out better value, even if you are paying for broadband (I know, we would say that). These often have discounted broadband which is cheaper that if you bought it as a standalone package, so if the phone part of the package suits your phone needs and comes in under budget they might be worth a look before you decide.

5. Ask friends and family Finally, ask friends and family if they’ve used the provider or package themselves and if so, what they think. As with any broadband package aspects such as speed can be affected by many factors so don’t assume that if a mate has got a fast connection to her free broadband so will you (or vice versa) but you can at least find out how quickly they got connected, and what the customer service is like.

All of this is pretty straightforward but as someone who also loves a bargain or a freebie I know how easy it is to buy something that is a great deal for someone else but just doesn't really work for me. That's not to say that you shouldn't take the free broadband - if it fits your purposes then sign up for it, and save yourself some money! 

Note:

On UK Broadband Finder we promote TalkTalk's free broadband, which is available to people who sign up for their Talk 3 or Talk 3 International phone plans. However we'd always recommend thinking about whether this or any other broadband package or bundle is the right one for you. There are of course other free broadband deals available, from Sky and Orange. 

Some useful links:

For broadband packages and internet provider information, browse our affiliate website www.ukbroadbandfinder.com. You can use our broadband availability checker to find out what broadband packages are available in your area, then filter on provider, speed, price and broadband type. There's also lots of broadband offers listed, cheap broadband deals, and offers on related broadband products such as McAfee security products, laptops, Macs, routers and iPods. Plus you can read our broadband FAQs.

To find out more about TalkTalk broadband click here. 

For more in-depth broadband information, try www.adslguide.org.uk - it also has excellent broadband forums.

UK Broadband Finder note on blogs: First published 25 September 2006. Please note that blog posts remain live, and any offers or information may no longer be current when you view this page.