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By Neil Hawkins
Senior Staff Writer
Monday, 15 December 2008
Updated: 16 June 2009 |
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 50Mb), 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 fastest 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.
What's more, the basic 8Mbps TalkTalk Essentials package can be 'boosted' to up to 24Mbps for an additonal £4 a month.
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.
- Virgin Media's fastest broadband package (which is also the UK's fastest broadband deal) is Size XXL broadband which is 50Mb in speed and priced at £35 (+ £11 for Virgin Media home phone), or just £51 standalone. These packages are usually on special offer though so keep an eye on our Virgin Media page.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £632
- Total annual cost thereafter: £552
- 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 £17.50 a month.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £375
- Total annual cost thereafter: £351
 Be Unlimited Broadband Review
- O2 Broadband’s Premium and Pro packages offer 'up to' 20Mb and are priced at £14.68 and £22.02 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): £317.16
- Total annual cost thereafter: £317.16
O2 Premium and O2 Pro Reviews
- TalkTalk's new myTalkTalk with Speed Boost offers broadband speeds of ‘up to’ 24Mb and is priced at £6.49 + £4 (for the Boost), totalling £10.49. This makes TalkTalk the cheapest fastest broadband package in the UK.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £233.87
- Total annual cost thereafter: £203.88
TalkTalk Essentials broadband review
- Eclipse Interent offers the cheapest fastest broadband deals by quite a long way. Their up to 24Mbps Home Lite package starts at £7.78 a month.
- Total cost in first year (incl setup): £260.82
- Total annual cost thereafter: £269.64
Eclipse Internet Home Lite Review
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.
- 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
Sky See + Speak + Surf Max Review
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.
 Compare broadband and bundle services
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