First broadband package? Get started with broadband

Are you new to broadband? Do you want to find the best broadband package to get you started online? if you're a broadband beginner, whether you're looking for a cheap basic broadband package or a superfast up to 20 Meg deal, or broadband with no contract, find the best broadband deal for you.

1. Find available broadband packages
2. Narrow down your results:

3. Order your broadband package

1. Find available broadband packages

First of all, to find broadband packages available in your area, use our broadband availability checker to compare broadband in your area.

Not all broadband providers operate throughout the UK. Cable broadband (supplied by Virgin Media, or Wight Cable if you live on the Isle of Wight) is available mostly in urban areas. Broadband via your BT phone line (known as DSL broadband) is much more widely available, but you may still find that not all DSL providers cover your area.

By using our broadband availability checker you can browse broadband packages on one website, then click through to the provider's website when you need to - so you don't need to visit lots of different broadband provider websites to try and compare different offers.

Or browse all our broadband providers and broadband packages. We showcase home broadband packages from AOL wireless broadband, 02 Broadband, Sky, Three Mobile Broadband, Virgin Media, BT Total Broadband, TalkTalk, Tiscali, Orange (formerly Wanadoo), Easyspace, PlusNet, Superfast Be broadband, Eclipse, UK Online, Demon.

And business broadband packages (including SDSL lines) from BT Business Total Broadband, Be, Fused Networks (formerly Telecomplete), Easyspace, Plus Net, Demon, Eclipse Business Broadband, UK Online.

2. Narrow down your results

Think about what you want from your broadband package. It sounds obvious but when reviewing broadband offers, don't lose sight of what you need from your broadband. There's no point signing up for a broadband offer if you'll end up frustrated with a cheap broadband offer that simply doesn't include the options you want, or includes options you don't need.

Your broadband checker results page has a series of filters at the top of the page so you can narrow down your results.

i) Just broadband or a bundle?

Lots of broadband providers are now offering cheap deals on broadband bundles (made up of broadband plus one or more other services - a landline, digital TV, mobile phone, even video on demand - VoD). Virgin Media is now offering quadplay - a bundle of broadband, TV, phone and mobile. If all the elements of the package fit with what you want, that's great as you can get some really good deals this way. But make sure you don't end up paying for a service you don't use, just to get a cheap broadband deal.

Broadband bundles can be confusing so you may just want broadband on its own - there are plenty of options around for standalone broadband packages.

ii) Cheap or free broadband

If you just want a good cheap package then you're in luck - prices have been coming down each year and now you can get free broadband (with other services such as a phone line) there are loads of packages under £15 a month now, and some offer broadband for £10 a month or less). Don't forget to check other expenses such as any set-up fee.
Read our free broadband page

iii) Superfast download speeds

A fast broadband package with a download speed of up to 8 meg will be enough for many people. But if you or your family is likely to really hammer that internet connection - with lots of peer-to-peer activity, online gaming, heavy web downloads etc then take a look at some of the superfast broadband packages available.

Just remember that lots of factors can affect your eventual broadband speed, such as the distance you are from your BT exchange, and how many people are online at the same time due to the contention ratio (expect a dip in speeds between around 6pm and 11pm).
View our superfast broadband page for broadband packages via your phone line or via cable.

iv) Unlimited download allowance

Lots of broadband packages now offer unlimited download allowances - you can view this on your broadband packages results page (all our broadband package listings include download speeds). Just add your phone number or postcode to our broadband availability checker to find out about broadband packages available in your area. Then click on Show Full Details at the top of the results page and you can scroll down to view packages with unlimited download allowances without having to click on each one.

Remember that nearly every unlimited allowance will be subject to some kind of fair use policy - this is because many broadband providers have found that a small percentage of extremely heavy downloaders are downloading so much that at busy times they are affecting the broadband speeds for other users. So unlimited is unlikely to really mean unlimited.

v) Short contracts

Most broadband packages come with 12-month initial contracts. If you leave within that time you may have to pay up to the end of your contract, or return free hardware, for example. More broadband providers are now using 18-month contracts particularly for cheap broadband packages. There are packages available with one or three month contracts. There are broadband providers offering short contracts. However check to see if they will retrospectively charge a set up fee to cover their costs if you leave early.

vi) Works with Apple Macs

Most broadband packages are Mac-compatible, though not every provider offers the same level of support to someone using Mac-friendly broadband hardware as they do to pc users.
Read our Broadband for Macs page

vii) Fantastic customer service

Keep an eye out for broadband customer service surveys. However remember that customer service ratings can go down as well as up! It is worth speaking to friends and family to see if they have dealt with a broadband provider either by phone or via an online help system, and how helpful (or not) they found them.

viii) Free hardware or other offers

Broadband offers often include free modems, or wireless modems (meaning you can connect multiple pcs to the internet - without loads of wires round the house). Some are temporary offers but others are near-permanent elements of their broadband package. Broadband providers may also offer one or more free months, or vouchers for other services, or lower introductory prices. Check the offer is current before you sign up.

You should also check whether the offer is open to you. Some are just for new customers, others are aimed at people switching from an existing broadband supplier, and many cannot be used in conjunction with another offer.
Check out our special offers page for more

ix) Technical help (free online or a lower cost helpline)

Some broadband providers offer extra help - even including visits to your house to help you set up. However you can expect to pay for these. if you are not very technically minded then check out the broadband provider's online help (which can often include pages of broadband FAQs, or an online chat system for any issues you have). Also check the cost of any helplines if you are worried you will need to call them a lot.

3. Order your broadband package

When you have chosen your broadband package, just click on the link underneath the broadband package information, or on the Buy button. These links will take you to the right area on the provider's website so you can sign up online. it usually takes around two weeks for broadband by phone to be activated, or for a cable to be installed.

Check out our broadband FAQs

Do you want to know more about broadband in general to help you choose your broadband provider? Then check out our UK Broadband Finder FAQs or business broadband FAQs. Or browse our broadband glossary.

Who we are

UK Broadband Finder is an affiliate site where you can compare broadband and mobile broadband, check broadband availability, and find broadband packages in the UK. You can find out more about our company and how we work in About Us.