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By Neil Hawkins
Senior Staff Writer
Thursday, 02 October 2008 |
JUST who is the fastest broadband provider in the UK? The result is constantly changing as broadband technology improves and maverick companies push the envelope further and further.
There are a number of broadband providers who offer the UK's fastest broadband deals at the moment.
Five of these fastest broadband providers use ADSL2+ technology which promises the fastest broadband speeds (up to 24Mbps) from the existing copper phone lines.
These providers are:
Only one broadband provider uses underground fibre optic cables to deliver the fastest broadband in the UK (up to 20Mb), this is:
And now a number of broadband providers are offering the fastest broadband they can via the 3G mobile network. The fastest of these are:
All of the providers above cover a large proportion of the country but remember to check if you’re covered.
What is the fastes broadband I can get if I can't receive Virgin Media or any ADSL2+ provider?
Astoundingly, recent test have shown TalkTalk to offer the fastest ADSL broadband. Yes, thats right:
We say astoundingly because whilst being the fastest broadband provider on plain old 'up to 8mb' ADSL, TalkTalk is close to being the cheapest broadband provider too.
And what is the fastest broadband I can get over the 3G mobile networks? (ie. What is the fastest mobile broadband?)
While Vodafone Mobile Broadband offesr, potentially, the fastest mobile broadband (7.2Mbps) our independent tests have shown it struggles to reach anything like that.
On the other hand T-Mobile Mobile Broadband offers the fastest mobile broadband in real terms,averaging around 2Mbps.
Virgin Media Mobile Broadband uses the T-Mobile network, putting it as joint fastest mobile broadband.
How much is the fastest broadband?
Just because these packages are the fastest, doesn’t mean they have to be the most expensive.
In fact, the fastest broadband packages are very competitively priced and with Eclipse Internet storming on to the fastest broadband tables, prices have got a whole lot better.
Eclipse Interent offers the cheapest fastest broadband deals by quite a long way. Their up to 24Mbps Home Lite package starts at £7.95 a month.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £263.40
- Total annual cost thereafter: £272.40
 Sign up online!
The downside to this package is that it includes only 2GB usage. To get 10GB of usage (with unlimited overnight usage) you should go for the Eclipse Home Select package and for 50GB of usage (unlimited overnight), go for Eclipse Home Pro.
- Be Broadband’s Unlimited package offers the fastest broadband available ‘up to’ 24Mb in line speed, depending on far you live from the exchange, this costs £18 a month.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £381
- Total annual cost thereafter: £357
Sign up online!
- O2 Broadband’s Premium and Ultimate packages offer ‘up to’ 16Mb and 20Mb and are priced at £15 and £20 per month respectively. O2 mobile customers also get a £5 a month discount, making O2 Broadband the lowest priced high-speed provider.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £321
- Total annual cost thereafter: £321
Sign up online!
- Virgin Media offers Size L broadband which runs at 10Mb and is priced at £24 a month. It’s fastest broadband package is Size XL broadband which is 20Mb in speed and priced at £26 for the first year (going up to £36 therafter). These packages are usually on special offer though so keep an eye on our Virgin Media page!
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £372
- Total annual cost thereafter: £372
Sign up online!
- UK Online offer an ‘up to’ 16Mb package for £24.99 a month. As with all other fastest broadband providers, you must pay BT line rental.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £440.88
- Total annual cost thereafter: £440.88
Sign up online!
- Sky Broadband offer broadband up to 16Mb in speed for a variety of prices but you do need to have a Sky TV subscription to benefit. The cheapest we could get it to is £26 (or £27 if you take two TV 'packs' instead of one)
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £483
- Total annual cost thereafter: £453
Sign up online!
What is the best way to apply for the fastest broadband?
There is no doubt that the best way to sign up for the fastest broadband deal is to do so online, rather than by phoning the company.
This is because most prices are based on online applications only. Also, you may get discounts, cash back or free setup by applying online. It also means you can sign up any time of day or night.
In essence signing up online can save you time, money and hassle.
You can sign up directly to any of the fastest broadband deals from any of the links on this page.
How can I apply for the fastest broadband?
You can find the fastest broadband deals on our fastest broadband comparison page (don't forget to view the fastest mobile broadband either) and order them by speed, price or even setup cost to find out which one suits you best.
- Eclipse Internet, £7.95 per month, 'up to' 24Mb
- Be Unlimited, £18 per month, ‘up to’ 24Mb
- O2 Ultimate, £20 per month, ‘up to’ 20Mb
- Virgin Media Size XL, £26 per month 20Mb
- Sky See, Speak & Surf Max, £27 per month, 'up to' 16Mb
- UK Online Premier, £24.99 per month, 'up to' 16Mb
And let's not forget the fastest broadband from an ADSL provider:
- TalkTalk Global Evening & Weekend, £3.25 per month, 'up to' 8Mbps
And finally, the fastest mobile broadband:
- Fastest theoretical: Vodafone Mobile Broadband, £15, up to 7.2Mbps
- Fastest actual: T-Mobile, £10, 2.1Mbps (or Virgin Media Mobile Broadband, £15, which uses same network)
 Compare broadband and bundle services
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