 |  | By Julia Kukiewicz Staff Writer
Wednesday, 5 November 2008 |
AS we all clamber to save as many pennies as we can, cutting the price of the services we rely on - such as broadband - is a necessity with cheap broadband suddenly becoming the flavour of the month.
But finding a cheap broadband deal is harder than you'd expect.
A cheap broadband deal may seem a great price at first, but read the small print and cheap broadband suddenly becomes prickly broadband with a healthy serving of extra charges you didn't anticipate.
This guide to cheap broadband should help cut through the nonsense to help you find the best priced, cheap broadband deal.
Cheap broadband... does it even exist?
Cheap broadband does exist, but you won't be surprised to hear that it is never quite as cheap as the adverts will have you believe.
So what exactly is a cheap broadband package?
On the whole cheap broadband packages are low on frills and usually come with certain restrictions, such as a more limited usage allowance. In some cases however, cheap broadband deals can offer just as much - if not more - than a lass-than-cheap broadband deal.
Don't be fooled by the price alone! Cheap broadband will usually come loaded with extra charges that may sting your wallet.
Things like an introductory price that soars to a not-so-cheap price in 3 months, or the need to pay line rental, or expensive set-up charges can all play havoc with your ambition to find a good, cheap broadband deal.
Cheap broadband... what's good about it?
The answer is obvious: cheap broadband means more money to spend elsewhere - such as soaring electricity and gas bills.
But remember to choose a cheap broadband package carefully - what may seem cheap to start with, could land up costing you more than you hoped.
A cheap broadband package should give you a basic but usable broadband service, one that not only allows you to get emails and surf the web at faster speeds than a dial-up, but also one that at least allows you to use some of the web's best features, such as a bit of online radio from a radio station you never heard of, or the odd episode of Eastenders you may have missed.
Cheap broadband... What to look for when you compare broadband
There are three basic things to look for when you shop around on broadband price comparison sites for cheap broadband.
Do you have to take a home phone package?
When you compare cheap broadband deals, the most common question you'll have to ask yourself is whether you are willing to either switch home phone providers or who you pay your line rental too.
This is because many cheap broadband providers only offer the best prices on their broadband deals to customers who also take out their phone call plan or complete phone package (i.e. with line rental as well).
A word of warning here: Don’t get a home phone deal without reading the small print just to save money on your broadband. It only takes one huge phone bill to turn your cheap broadband into not-so cheap broadband. Worse still, some home phone packages are not nearly as cheap as what you may already be paying, and the extra few pennies you spend each time you make a call, could add up to more than what you saved on your cheap broadband deal.
What's more, if you currently use a call override provider (such as 18185.com) on your BT line, you may well not be able to use it on your new provider's line, which could land up eating into any savings you may have made from your cheap broadband deal. Always check with your new cheap broadband provider if their lines support your call-override service.
SFortunately, not all the cheap broadband deals currently on offer require you to change your home phone provider or line rental provider. There are, thankfully, some cheap broadband packages that stand alone of any compulsory phone add-ons.
Are you going to have to shell out for hidden extras?
Secondly, look for extras that could cost you. For example, some cheap broadband companies impose download limits on their packages and charge you if you go over them. If you download a lot the best way to keep your broadband cheap is to choose a package with unlimited downloads.
Other extras that could make your cheap broadband more expensive include having to pay for necessary hardware such as wireless routers or modems, installation fees and don't forget the cost of expensive help lines.
Could you save money by taking a bundle?
Finally, look out for special offers and bundles that could save you money. For example, Virgin Media is offering broadband, TV and phone for £20 a month. Tiscali and Sky also offer some excellent cheap broadband, TV and phone bundles.
Which broadband providers offer cheap broadband deals?
There are currently 5 broadband providers offering a combined total of 8 broadband packages for £10 a month or less.
While TalkTalk offers the cheapest package price (£4.99), it is actually Tiscali with its £14.99 package which works out to be the best cheap broadband package as it includes your line rental cost.
The annual cost for this Tiscali broadband package is £179.88, while the annual cost after all intro prices have been taken out and line rental included is £185.88 a year.
With the TalkTalk package which narrowly comes in at second spot in the cheap broadband race, you have to sign up to a TalkTalk home phone package but line rental is just £10.50 a month, less than BT – so you’ve already saved yourself 50p a month - and the broadband itself starts at a tiny £4.99 a month.
 You can compare all Tiscali's broadband packages here
You can start applying this Tiscali deal online
now
If you want to keep your home phone with BT then try O2 Broadband, Orange or Plusnet.
O2 mobile customers can get broadband for just £7.50. After any introductory rate and including line rental you'll have to pay to BT, this will cost you £231 per year.
Read review
Sign up to this O2 cheap broadband deal
Orange offers broadband for just £6 a month for six months then £12 a month. Taking out the introductory rate and including line rental with BT, this will cost £285 a year.
Read review
Sign up to Orange Broadband Home Starter
Plusnet’s cheap broadband package is £9.99 a month, or £260.88 a year when you include line rental.
Read review
Sign up to Plusnet Option 1
If you don't have a home phone line or live in a cabled area and are willing to make the move to cable try Virgin Media’s M package. It’s just £9 a month for a year and then £17 after that. The annual cost for this from the second year onwards is £204.
Read review
Sign up to Virgin Media Broadband Size M
Can I get cheap broadband?
Most of the cheapest broadband providers offer an ADSL connection, which means it comes through your BT telephone line – so if you have a telephone line, you’ll probably be able to get a low cost broadband package.
For a Virgin Media package you will need to live in a cabled area.
Always check your telephone number and postcode to see exactly which packages you’ll be able to receive when you compare cheap broadband packages on ChooseISP.co.uk. You can do this on our dedicated and highly accurate cheap broadband comparison page.
Don't forget, if you want cheap mobile broadband, you should look at our new 'Cheap Mobile Broadband' comparison page.
 Compare broadband and bundle services
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Intro price: £9.99