How to compare broadband

Broadband offers high-speed Internet connections and, unlike dial-up, allows you to use the Internet and telephone simultaneously. According to the UK consumer group Which?, broadband speeds can be as much as 150 times faster than basic dial-up connections. In the UK, the increasing number of Internet service providers (ISPs) has produced a competitive market in terms of price. But broadband packages should not be chosen on price alone. Visit a comparison site for a more comprehensive, side-by-side evaluation.

• 1

  Choose the best value for money. There are many broadband offers to choose from, with prices starting as low as £4.99 per month. Some ISPs offer completely free broadband when taken alongside other services such as TV and telephone, but many normally charge a one-off installation fee. While low starting prices may seem attractive, it is important to evaluate the overall cost of the full term of the contract. Quite often, introductory prices are used mask the true monthly cost that your package will revert to once the offer is up.

• 2

  Check the broadband connection speed. If you are likely to use services like BBC iPlayer and other on-demand media, you will require a high-speed Internet connection. Most broadband packages offer an average speed of up to 8 Megabits per second (Mbps), although the average speed in 2009 was about 4.1Mbps. Nowadays, the fastest broadband speed offered by some ISPs is 24Mbps. But it's important to keep in mind that Internet connection speeds can be affected by various factors, including how far you are from your local telephone exchange, how many people are using the Internet at the same time and the size of your ISP's network.

• 3

  Verify download allowance. Download usage is essential if you are planning to download a lot of contents and files. While many broadband suppliers offer between 10GB and 40GB data usage per month, some offer unlimited download capacity with packages of 20Mbps and above. But even unlimited allowances are somewhat capped. The biggest difference between broadband and dial-up connections is that with broadband you are charged for your data usage rather than the length of time you are connected to the Internet.

• 4

  Look for bundle deals. With most providers offering everything together, you may be able to bag a good deal. Look out for bundles that include telephone and television deals. Many ISPs offer unlimited local and national phone calls as part of their broadband packages, allowing you to save on phone calls and TV subscription.