At a time when many of us are feeling the pinch and looking for ways to cope with rising costs, it’s more essential than ever to review the monthly prices for things like home utilities 💡

If you haven’t performed a broadband comparison recently (or ever), then you’re certainly not alone. Citizens Advice found that around 7 million adults in the UK are effectively being charged a ‘loyalty penalty’ (because broadband providers often reserve the best deals for new customers), which is costing them an additional £61 per year for their broadband, on average.

If you’re worried about how much your internet, TV and home phone are costing and you’re concerned you’re missing out on the best broadband deals available in your area, thankfully there are solutions close at hand.

From bill comparison sites to apps that can help you switch providers in seconds, here are some ways you can reduce your broadband costs without sacrificing the internet speed you love.

How can I get the best broadband deals?

If you already have full fibre broadband and you’re happy with the average speeds and broadband service you’re receiving, then the simplest option may be to haggle for a better deal from your existing provider.

By doing research to compare broadband suppliers you can arm yourself with any information necessary to negotiate a price match or better deal  (albeit with a lot of effort on your part).

You can sometimes save money by checking you aren’t paying for more data or faster average download speeds than you need, or switching your payment method to a direct debit. However, all three of those solutions can be hands-on and fairly time consuming.

Often, the quickest and most cost effective way to avoid overpaying for your broadband and get the best deals, is simply to switch broadband providers (more on how to switch broadband providers below).

What is the best broadband for my area?

Although you’ll naturally want to find the best deals on broadband available, exactly what constitutes a good deal is somewhat subjective.

What you consider to be the best broadband deals will depend on what you use the internet for, your budget and what is available where you live.

Broadband speed is affected by things such as your property type, how far away from your nearest telephone exchange you are and the specification of phone lines currently installed. What’s more, speeds can vary significantly between postcodes or even houses on the same street!

There are three common types of broadband: ADSL (the most basic and common), cable broadband and fibre, or optic fibre broadband.

Some broadband networks, such as full fibre or fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) might only be available in limited regions, so it’s best to check what services your house has access to before you sign up to a deal.

You can enter your postcode into Ofcom’s broadband availability and speed checker to review broadband providers in the UK, based on your local area.

Broadband providers often give their best prices to new customers. Charging more for the exact same service once a tempting introductory rate expires.

We calculated that customers who switch broadband suppliers with Plum could save up to £172.80* per year on superfast broadband. And it only takes around two-and-a-half minutes to confirm details of your switch!

*Annual savings calculated against an average monthly bill of £33.35, versus our cheapest superfast broadband (>55mbs, £18.95/month). Details correct as of October 2022.

Can I get broadband without a landline?

For many people, landlines are a thing of the past ☎️ Most of us only need access to an internet connection because we can make unlimited calls using our mobile phone and message friends using free apps.

Paying a line rental fee every month can feel like an unnecessary extra cost, but do you really need a landline for broadband?

The answer is no, if you're willing to switch your broadband provider to alternatives, such as a cable or fibre connection.

These connections can also be faster, but it is worth noting that broadband only deals aren’t always as cheap as you would expect. You may find that a broadband package which includes the line rental fee, may often be better value than a cheap broadband only deal.

How to compare broadband deals

Regardless of whether you actually want to switch your broadband provider, it’s a good idea to compare the deals that are currently available.

In recent years, fibre-optic broadband coverage has significantly expanded and is now available to most of the country, so if it wasn't previously available in your area, it may be now. Here’s how to compare broadband deals:

1. Choose your comparison tool

Some providers might not appear on every comparison site, so you may need to consult multiple sources or go directly to some suppliers for a quote.

2. Provide your personal details

The most accurate results will be obtained if you enter details about where you live, your current provider and how much you typically pay for your bills.

3. Search for the best deal

You’ll then be presented with a list of offers, which you’ll need to sift through to try and find the best broadband deal based on your priorities.

Price comparison websites can be a useful tool if you are looking to switch providers, allowing you to compare your current plan with others to see which provider offers the fastest speeds or cheapest prices.

However, although the process can save you significant money, it can be time consuming, complicated and require a lot of manual effort from you.

But there is another way to compare broadband deals…

How to compare broadband deals and switch providers with Plum

When you download and install Plum, the app immediately analyses payments made to your current providers to see if you’re being overcharged.

There’s no need to navigate complicated price-comparison sites. We automatically search the market for the best broadband deals available via our partner network and will only notify you if it might be worth switching.

With Plum, you can arrange to switch from your current supplier and onto a better deal for you, in 2–3 minutes. It just takes a few taps in the app.

There are no confusing comparisons. And in most cases, you won’t even need to deal with your old provider (because breaking up can be hard) 💔

You can also visit the Bills & Offers section within the app at any time to check for a better deal on home energy, broadband, car insurance and loans.

To learn more about Plum you can check out our website.

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