Wi-Fi connection: A simple guide to cheap broadband

There are three main ways to connect to the internet — broadband, mobile, and satellite. 

Fixed-line broadband via underground phone lines replaced dial-up (remember that?) and is the most common with different types (including ADSL, cable and fibre broadband deals) and operates at varying speeds and bandwidths (the amount of data that can be transferred in a specific timeframe). 

High-speed mobile broadband (4G/5G) is still comparatively new and can only really be accessed by those living in cities, especially the 5G network. Similarly new is satellite broadband, which has replaced very slow dial-up in remote areas without cables or phone lines.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) utilises the copper wires of older copper telephone lines (Openreach) so it is widely available throughout the UK. It is often a high-quality connection, and reliable enough for the average user to browse happily away into the small hours. Due to this being the oldest type of fixed-line broadband option, it is often the cheapest too. 

Search for ADSL broadband deals on a comparison site to find out more.

Fibre broadband uses underground cables installed to either “fibre to the cabinet” (FTTC) found outside or directly via “fibre to the premises” (FTTP). Fibre-optic wiring can transfer data extremely quickly, using clusters of thin fibres, which allows much more data to pass through than its copper equivalent. 

UK-based broadband providers like TalkTalk, Plusnet, BT, Sky and EE all have unlimited broadband deals, so have a look for yourself. All of these providers use the existing Openreach (ex-BT) network. 

Virgin Media’s cable uses similar ‘fibre to the cabinet’, which then needs to be connected to your home by an engineer, which can incur setup costs. You can get extreme download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1Gbps) from Virgin Media fibre broadband, however, it isn’t readily available in some areas. 

Mobile broadbanduses 4G and 5G mobile phone networks to send and receive data, so it doesn't need cables to operate, only a wireless router. It is still relatively new, especially 5G, and quite a few cities haven’t yet got the technology in place to receive high-speed internet (up to 450 Mbps is theoretically reachable!) That said, as it is being rolled out more and more across the UK, coverage will get better. 

Search for mobile broadband deals via Three, Vodafone and EE to find out more.

Satellite broadband is great for people who live outside of the city, in far-flung areas away from phone lines and fibre-optic cables. At the moment it is astronomically expensive, with both high installation and running costs. However, due to technology updates, high-speed satellite broadband could become the next major broadband source, where everyone replaces their phone line with a small satellite receiver. 

Currently, only one provider offers high-speed satellite broadband to the general public — Elon Musk’s Starlink (an offshoot of SpaceX) — which uses lasers rather than radio waves to transmit much more data. As more satellites are launched into low orbit, there will be more opportunity to become a customer (and hopefully at lower prices).

As with everything on a subscription, it all depends on usage, so if you only use the internet for browsing, shopping or connecting with friends via social media, it is unlikely you’ll need high-speed fibre-optic and standard broadband via your phone line will suffice.

That said, if you use the internet for PC or console gaming, or have several devices streaming TV and films at peak time, then you’ll probably need a high bandwidth service like super-fast fibre or cable.  

Some providers offer broadband deals on their own, or as a package with phone calls and/or television subscriptions added. It might be worth thinking about a Sky broadband deal or Virgin Media package if you wanted both broadband and a television subscription together.

There are various factors to consider when signing up for broadband, and it is an important decision as it is potentially one of the more expensive bills for your household. So, whether you are switching to a new provider or upgrading your current broadband, it is worth knowing the below and how it may affect your decision.

Read the following to understand what you should be looking for in your broadband connection:

Bundles are often very handy, as you may get a landline phone and broadband, or television and broadband, or all three. Packages come in all shapes and sizes, with all-round communication providers like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky offering seriously tempting packages. 

There are several benefits of getting a television and broadband package, including a discounted price and it takes away the need to search around for separate television deals. Check for things like what channels are included — sports, entertainment, films — and if you can stream to your phone or tablet. Plus, it is easier to deal with one customer service representative than phoning around three different companies when something goes awry. 

 People who live in cities are less likely to need a fixed-line phone, as everyone has got a mobile nowadays, however, those in rural areas with patchy mobile service may still want to have a landline. Look out for phone and broadband packages with free call minutes each month, free evening and weekend calls, or cheaper international calls — which will come in handy if you have family abroad.