How to get a bargain on your broadband

Remember the days when you had to trek to the high street to do your shopping, or queue at the bank to check your balance? It makes you wonder how we ever managed without the 24-hour, queue-free comfort of the internet. Now 10 million of us in the UK spend one hour and 53 minutes a week shopping online, and nearly one-and-a-half hours doing internet banking.

Altogether the average broadband user devotes 23 hours of their time to the internet a week, according to comparison and switching website uSwitch - that’s nearly two months a year.

Paying for internet access has become just another extra monthly cost, but with prices and packages ranging drastically, nearly 40% of us are paying over the odds by continuing to stick to the same provider.

If your contract is coming to an end, or you're looking to upgrade from dial-up, it's worth shopping around to check you're getting the best broadband deal available. Competition between providers is fierce and you may be able to bundle your broadband with another service.

Here are a few basics to look out for when choosing which broadband package to go for:

1. ‘Free’ internet offers
   More and more providers are offering free broadband, usually as part of a package deal.
2. Bundled packages
   Using one provider for your internet, digital TV and telephone providers could save you money overall.
3. Extras thrown in with your package
   Look for anti-virus checking or junk mail filters.
4. The small print
   A cheaper deal may restrict your internet use or put a limit on how much you can download.
5. Broadband speed
   If you’re a fan of downloading films and music, then paying more for a faster broadband connection may be worth considering.
6. Length of contract
   Don’t get tied into long contracts with no get-out clause.
7. Upgrading your package
   Check if it’s possible to take advantage of your provider’s upgrades mid-contract for free.
8. Technical support
   If you’re an online beginner, look for packages that include free technical support as help lines can be expensive.