Top 6 UK Broadband Providers and Deals

Top 6 UK Broadband Providers and Deals

1. Sky Broadband

Sky’s three tiers of broadband are Superfast (35Mb & 59Mb), Ultrafast (145Mb & 500Mb) and Gigafast (1Gb) making it easy for you to choose the right package for you.

You can opt for a Broadband Only Package or a Full Broadband and TV bundle.

A phone line is required except on their full fibre Gigafast broadband.

If you already have a phone line, Sky will take over the existing line which will speed up your setup and saves an engineer visit.

Best Sky Broadband and TV Bundle Deals

Sky Broadband Review - Pro, Cons and Final Verdict

Sky Broadband Review - The Good

• Sky Speed Guarantee
  SKY guarantees that if your speed falls below your Guaranteed Minimum Download Speed for at least three days in a row in a 30-day period, they will refund your monthly subscription. You can claim twice during your contract period.
• Great Customer Service track record
  Sky received the joint fewest complaints per 100,000 customers measured by Ofcom comparing Sky, BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Virgin Media fixed for fixed broadband.
• Dedicated team to ensure the switch is smooth
  If you're with BT, TalkTalk, EE, Vodafone or Plusnet, SKY will contact your provider to cancel your existing contract and handle the whole switch process for you.
• Sky Boost Wi-Fi Guarantee
  With Sky Broadband Boost, Sky will guarantee at least 3Mbps WiFi in every room of your home, or they will give you your money back or send you a signal booster.
• You can add a TV bundled at any time

SKY Broadband Review - The  Not So Good

• Activation Fee
  Similar to BT, Sky has an activation fee on some of their TV bundle packages. They occasionally run promotions where this fee is reduced or waived.#

Sky Broadband - Final Verdict

Sky's broadband and customer services are very good. The SKY Q hub is one of the best and most reliable routers on the market.

Sky presents the opportunity to consolidate your TV and Broadband services into one reliable provider.  Their base package has more channels than you can get with any other TV provider.

It is inevitable that you may experience broadband issues with any Internet Service Provider (ISP) but with Sky's solid customer service reputation, you can rest assured that any issues will be dealt with efficiently.

Sky is not a budget ISP and their broadband prices are slightly higher but their levels of service make it a good all-around solid choice.

Check out the latest Sky Broadband deals.

2. BT Broadband

BT is the best-known UK broadband provider and offers broadband packages with speeds ranging from 10Mb – 900Mb.

As part of their “Stay Fast Guarantee”, if after 30 days BT can’t get you back to the speed they promised, they will give you a £20 Reward card (up to four claims a year).

Their Complete Wi-Fi service ensures wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage in every room.

BT Hybrid Connect add-on service provides an EE 4G Mini router as an automatic backup in case your primary broadband goes down.

As a broadband customer, you will have free unlimited access to their wi-fi network which has over 5 million hotspots in public places across the UK.

Their TV and Broadband packages have a combination of channels and add-ons such as Sky Atlantic, Sky Cinema, Sky One, Sky Sports, 11 Sky Sports channels, Sky Max, Sky Showcase, AMC, TNT Sport, BoxNation, Sky Originals, HBO and 300 Box Sets on demand from NOW TV.

BT’s Flexible TV allows you can change your TV package every month. Netflix and Prime Video add-ons are also included in some packages.

Best BT Broadband Packages and Deals

BT  Broadband Review - Pro, Cons and Final Verdict

BT Broadband Review - The Good

• BT Complete Wi-Fi guarantee
  BT guarantee no less than 10Mb wireless speed in every room and will send out additional wireless extender "discs" to boost Wi-fi speed for slow rooms.
• BT Virus Protect
  BT Virus Protect gives you the latest protection against viruses, spyware, phishing scams and other internet threats. All BT Broadband customers get at least two licences free. Superfast Fibre 2  customers get 15 licences which can be installed on PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets.
  
• Free BT Cloud Storage
  Broadband Unlimited and Superfast Fibre customers will receive 200GB of free storage.
  Fibre 2 Unlimited customers get 1TB of Cloud storage.

BT Broadband Review - The  Not So Good

• 24 Month Contracts
  Long commitment on BT Broadband packages which is not such a bad thing if you are happy with the service.  If you are not happy with the service there are ways to cancel your broadband early.
• Expensive after the contract period
  Be sure to check out the market or speak to BT to negotiate a new deal before the end of your contract to avoid a hike in price.
• Activation and Delivery Charge
  Most packages have an activation or delivery charge which ranges from £9.99 - £19.99. BT occasionally run promotions where this fee is reduced.

BT Broadband - Final Verdict

There are varying online opinions on BT broadband and although it costs a bit more, it gives you value for your money.

BT is the parent company of Openreach and maintains the majority of internet circuits in the UK which are used by other ISPs such as Plusnet, EE, TalkTalk, Sky, etc.

In some areas, you can get download speeds of up to 900+ Mbps!

As a BT customer, you will have access to over 5 million Wi-fi hotspots which can be useful if you are always roaming away from home or have a limited mobile phone data package.

You can choose to bolt on additional TV channels such as BT Sport, Sky Sports Main Event and Extra, Sky Cinema and many other premium channels.

Check out the latest BT Broadband deals.

3. Virgin Media Broadband

Virgin Media is one of the UK’s fastest broadband and is only available to approximately 53% of UK homes.

Virgin Media is the most popular broadband provider in the UK, followed by BT and Sky Broadband.

Broadband packages range from 50Mb – 1Gb and you can add a TV package to your broadband.

Virgin Media broadband is delivered through their network of fibre optic cables therefore you do not need an Openreach phone line.

Standard contract lengths are 18 Months but they also offer 30-day rolling contracts which work out more expensive. Their broadband packages work out cheaper if you include a phone line. There is a £35 setup fee on some Virgin Media products.

You can cancel your contract without paying an early disconnection fee if your download speed falls below the minimum speed guaranteed for three consecutive days and Virgin Media are unable to fix the problem within 30 days.

Best Virgin Media Broadband and TV Packages This Week

4. Plusnet Broadband

In 2021, Plusnet was awarded USwitch Broadband Provider of the Year, Best Provider Customer Service, Best Value Broadband Provider and Most Popular Broadband Provider.

Plusnet scored second highest in the Ofcom ‘Satisfaction with overall service’ category making them a trusted and reputable broadband provider.

Plusnet customer support is UK based and they offer flexible 1, 12 and 18 months contracts.

Their broadband packages include industry-standard features such as unlimited usage, Free security package and parental control features.

Plusnet Broadband Deals This Week

Plusnet Broadband Review - Pro, Cons and Final Verdict

Plusnet Broadband Review - The Good

• Runs on the same Openreach network as BT and Sky but is much cheaper.
• Flexible Contracts - Rolling Monthly, 12 Months or 18 Months
• Won several awards for exemplary customer service
• BT Sport is available through the old Sky receiver box or Plusnet BT Sport App
• Fast installation time

Plusnet Broadband Review - The  Not So Good

• Pricing may be higher in some areas

Plusnet Broadband - Final Verdict

Plusnet offers a good balance in terms of reliability, pricing and customer service.

BT owns Plusnet and their broadband service runs on the Openreach network similar to other popular providers such as BT, Sky, EE and TalkTalk therefore you will be getting the same broadband but cheaper and with good customer service wrapped around it.

Plusnet won the 'most reliable broadband service' in the Ofcom 2019 Telecoms report and scored highest in the 'Satisfaction with overall service' category in the 2020 Ofcom Report.

If you are looking for no-nonsense affordable and reliable broadband, we recommend seriously considering Plusnet.

Check out the latest Plusnet broadband deals.

5. Now Broadband

NOW Broadband is a subsidiary of Sky that provides broadband and home phone services, as well as flexible TV memberships for Sky channels.

It uses the Openreach network to deliver broadband service, which means it has the same level of coverage as other Openreach providers, such as BT, TalkTalk, Sky, and Plusnet.

NOW Broadband offers three broadband packages: Brilliant Broadband (11Mb average download speed), Fab Fibre (36Mb Average speed) and Super Fibre which has an average download speed of 63Mb.

All NOW Broadband packages come with unlimited downloads and uploads, line rental included, and pay-as-you-use calls. You can also add call packages for evening and weekend calls or anytime calls for an extra monthly cost.

One of the main benefits of NOW Broadband is that you can also sign up for broadband on a no-contract basis, which gives you more flexibility and freedom to cancel whenever you want. However, you will have to pay a £60 activation fee and a higher monthly cost for this option.

Another advantage of NOW Broadband is that you can access NOW TV memberships for a lower monthly cost than the general public. You can mix and match these memberships as you like, and cancel or renew them at any time. You can also get discounts on these memberships when you sign up for a broadband package.

Best NOW Broadband Deals in December 2023

6. Vodafone Broadband

Vodafone Broadband Service and Lighting Fast Speeds options are an absolute no-brainer.

Rarely are you in a position where the price is low and the service is from a reputable trusted supplier.

Everything is included in the price. No additional fees.

Winners of uSwitch Best Broadband Provider (2019) and Best Value Broadband Provider (2019). Also winners of Broadband Genie’s Fastest Upload Speed Provider in the same year.

Vodafone Pro broadband offers automatic 4G backup in case your internet goes down and Reliable WiFi in every room or you can leave your contract for free – guaranteed.

If you’ve been considering switching to Vodafone – now is the time!

Best Vodafone Broadband Deals This Week

Vodafone Broadband Review - Pro, Cons and Final Verdict

Vodafone Broadband Review - The Good

• Fast installation time
• Automatic 4G backup if your internet goes down
  Vodafone pro (bolt-on) comes with a 4G backup to allow you continual internet access if there are issues with your Vodafone broadband or in your area.
• Super WiFi Guarantee
  Ensures reliable WiFi in every room or you can leave your contract for free - guaranteed
• Fast Upload Speeds
  With most providers, the upload speed tends to be significantly lower than the download speed, but Vodafone Broadband stands out from the crowd by having a fast upload speed. Their Gigafast broadband services offer symmetrical speeds which means the upload speed is the same as the download speed.
• Truly unlimited and unrestricted broadband speed
  Unlike some broadband providers, Vodafone does apply traffic management which means that your broadband speed will never be slowed down or restricted during peak or busy times. Truly unlimited, fast, uninterrupted broadband.
• Simple to manage using the IOS/Android App
  With Vodafone Broadband, gone are the days you need to manage your broadband via an internet browser. The Vodafone Broadband app gives you simple management of your broadband settings,  Wi-Fi/guest Wi-Fi settings, parental controls and other useful features.

Vodafone Broadband Review - The  Not So Good

• No TV bundles If you were hoping to consolidate your TV and broadband service into one, unfortunately, Vodafone will not be the best provider. Good alternatives would be Sky or BT.

Vodafone Broadband - Final Verdict

Vodafone broadband is affordable and you can also benefit from additional cost savings.

If you are a Vodafone Pay Monthly mobile customer there may be further discounts on the advertised price.

Vodafone will handle the switching of your broadband from your existing supplier to get you up and running quickly. The only exception is if you are switching from Virgin Media. You will need to cancel Virgin Media directly.

Compare Broadband Deals from the rest of the Market 

There are several other UK providers that offer fast, reliable and competitive broadband services. Amongst them are Three Mobile Broadband, TalkTalk, Now Broadband, John Lewis Broadband, Hyperoptic Fibre Broadband, Community Fibre and KCOM (Hull and surrounding areas).

Top 6 UK Broadband Deals - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Top 6 UK Broadband Provider Deals

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Who has the most reliable broadband?

EE Broadband had the highest number of customers satisfied with the overall reliability of their broadband in the Ofcom Customer satisfaction survey published in August 2020. They were closely followed by BT (2nd) , VirginMedia & Plusnet (3rd) and Sky broadband in 4th.

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How to find best broadband deals?

We have made finding the best broadband deals in the UK in simple. On this page you will find a list of the top 6 broadband providers and the best UK broadband deals  available this week for you to review.

These deals are from the most popular and reliable UK providers which amongst others include SKY, BT, Vodafone, Plusnet and John Lewis.

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How do I find the best broadband deals without phone line?

If you would like broadband without a phone line, there are a number of options available for you.
The three main options are Cable Broadband, Full Fibre Broadband or mobile broadband. Check out this article for more information on how to get broadband without a phone line

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What is Cheapest Unlimited Broadband in the UK?

The Cheapest type of broadband in the UK is ADSL broadband which offers broadband speed of around 11Mbps. The is also know as standard broadband and is offered my most UK broaband providers.

The cheapest ADSL can be found from provider such as Vodafone, Plusnet, Post office, etc. Checkout the cheapest standard unlimited broadband deals above.

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What is broadband traffic management or shaping?

Broadband traffic management or traffic shaping is when your broadband provider starts to prioritise one type of internet traffic. Typically during peak hours.

They do this to stop heavy users from using more bandwidth and thus slowing all other customers broadband connections.

Not all providers implement traffic shaping/management and some only implement it on certain broadband packages. Broadband providers are required to provide details of the traffic management policy in your contract.

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What is the difference between ADSL and Fibre broadband?

ADSL broadband is also referred to as Standard broadband which has an average download speed of 10 – 11Mbps. ADSL broadband is delivered through copper phone lines to transfer information. This is why you need a phone line for standard broadband.

Fibre broadband is faster and has top speeds well over 300Mbps. Fibre broadband uses optic cables to send and receive data as flashes of light which results in a quicker and more reliable connection.

Fibre broadband is available in two flavours:

Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC)
The connection between the Exchange and the street Cabinet is fibre. The last leg from the Cabinet to your home will be cooper.

Fibre To The Premises (FTTP)
The whole length of the connection from the exchange to your property is fibre. This connection type is faster that FTTC and slightly more expensive and limited in availability.

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Am I guaranteed the advertised broadband speed?

Under Ofcom regulations, the speed advertised should be the estimated speed you are likely to experience at busy times of the day which tends to be between 8-10pm.

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) should provide a minimum guaranteed speed for your broadband service.

If you do not get the speed that you were promised, get in touch with your ISP and give them the opportunity to resolve the problem.

If they can’t fix the problem within 30 days, they must allow you leave your contract without being penalised.

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What is the fastest broadband speed I can get in my area?

To find out the best broadband speed that is available in your area, you can use the UK Broadband Availability Coverage Checker. This will show you the maximum broadband speed that is available in your area. This coverage checker is based on the Ofcom Broadband Speed Checker.

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What broadband speed do I need?

Broadband speed of 10Mb will be okay for one or two individuals browsing the internet, sending emails and streaming Netflix.

A household of three to four moderate users would require a download speed of 30Mb.

If the members of your household are heavy users, i.e multiple people streaming movies/Netflix and using game consoles or online gaming, we recommend a download speed of over 30Mb.

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Do I have to contact my existing provider to cancel?

In the past you needed to get a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) from your current provider and give it to your new broadband provider.

You no longer need to do this if your current provider is on the Openreach network e.g. BT, Sky, Plusnet, TalkTalk, EE, John Lewis, etc. Your new provider will handle the switch for you.

If you are switching from a broadband provider that runs their own network like VirginMedia, you will need to contact them to cancel.

TV services/bundles also need to be cancelled directly.

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Can I cancel my broadband early without cancellation fees?

In most cases, you will be charged early cancellation or exit fees however, there are circumstances where you can cancel your broadband early without incurring any of these charges – we have listed them here.