How to get cheap broadband: 10 tips to haggle broadband

What kind of broadband is the most affordable?

At the moment, the cheapest type of broadband connection available in the UK is ADSL. This is an older type of broadband and it’s considerably slower and unstable compared to the most modern ones.

Usually, ADSL broadband speeds are an average of 10Mbps reaching a maximum speed of  17Mbps. This is particularly good for light internet users. Read this article to understand what type of internet user you are. 

This broadband connection will be good for basic online activities such as:

• Emails
• Social Media
• Online Banking
• Online Shopping
• Reading Websites

 If you are planning to do any type of streaming, this is not recommended. 

This type of internet connection also gets slower during peak times because more people are using it around the country. If you are planning to use it before 10:30am after 5pm, you might have problems with the speed. 

ADSL is better for those who are using the internet very infrequently during the day. If you are one of them, this is highly recommended, as you can get a deal for around £20, or even cheaper. 

How do I know if cheap broadband works for me?

Still not sure if ADSL is the right internet for you? Are you worried about budget broadband not being fast enough for all the things you want to get done online? Check out our comparison below: 

ADSL broadband will work for you if: 

• You live alone or with only one more person. 
• You don't go online every day.
• You ONLY use the internet for emails, social media, online banking, online shopping and reading websites.

ADSL broadband will NOT work for you if: 

• You have more than two people living in your household or trying to connect to the internet.
• You want to stream anything, even music, such as Spotify.
• You want to watch live TV online, use paid streaming services and watch free movies and TV shows online. 
• You want to make video calls via Zoom, Skype or Facetime.
• You want to download content from the internet.
• You want to upload content to the internet.
• You want to play games online. 

If ADSL does work for you, you can get a cheaper deal without problems, costing around £20. 

If you realise that ADSL will not work for you, you can still get a cheap broadband deal. Nowadays, fibre broadband packages are much more affordable and you can find one around £25 per month for a speed three to five times faster than ADSL.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are going to do all the activities listed above (including streaming in HD and gaming), you will need a speed ranging from 60Mpbs to 100Mpbs. This will allow you to use the internet comfortably daily. These packages usually cost from £30 to £40 per month. 

9 things that can make your broadband deal cheaper 

If you are looking to get a cheap broadband deal, these are the 9 things you need to take into consideration when making a decision. You can save lots of money if you pick the right broadband package that covers exactly what you need. 

1. Speed

If you realise that you don't need a lot of broadband speed and you can get by with a slower internet speed this can save you money. ADSL packages can be half the price of fibre packages depending on the provider. 

2. Usage

Most broadband providers give unlimited broadband usage. This means you will be able to access the internet for however long you want during a month. If you know you are not going to be online frequently, getting a limited usage package can be cheaper. Keep in mind that you will need as a light internet user a data limit ranging from 1-10 GB per month. This will allow you to do all the activities mentioned above without worrying about extra charges.

3. Cost per year 

The best way to see if a broadband deal is cheap is by checking the cost per year. To work this out, you need to multiply how much you pay per month by 12, and any extra charges you need to pay when you first get it. With the result, you will know how much this package will cost you in the first year of the contract.

4. Contract length

Another way to save money is to get a longer contract. For example with NOW Broadband, you can go “contracless” if you pay £60 upfront, but if you get a 12-month contract, you don't need to pay anything. Other providers can give you a better deal if you commit to a 18-month contract or even a 24-month contract. 

5. Equipment and Infrastructure

If you are not looking to get the best router on the market, you can get a cheaper broadband deal. Routers are getting more and more modern. Choosing an older router model can be a good deal without losing any quality with your internet connection. 

Also, the infrastructure you have can make your deal cheaper or more expensive. If you already have a cable waiting for the router inside your house, you won’t need to worry about installation fees. If you need to get a new cable to get you connected, this will require an expert visit and you will be charged extra. This usually costs around £50.

6. Freebies

Opting for the providers that give you freebies will save you money. Cheapest broadband providers usually offer Reward Cards. Talk Talk at the moment is offering up to £75 reward cards which you can use at shops online and on the high street. They can also offer you cashback and discounts for existing mobile customers. Sometimes they can even give you a trending gadget such as tablets, Amazon’s Echo or Google Home.

7. Customer Service and Support

Choosing a provider with good customer service and support can be a cheaper deal in the long run. You will have more chances to haggle and get better deals year after year. Also, they tend to be more helpful if you have any problems with your broadband connection by offering free of charge solutions.

8. Area 

Finding out what the cheapest broadband is where you live will save you money. Depending on where you live, broadband packages can be cheaper or more expensive. Use some of the websites that show what broadband is available in your area and get the best deal. 

9. Payment 

If you decide to pay upfront, you can get a discount. For that, you will need to contact your chosen provider customer service and talk to a team member directly. Also, if you have a credit card that gives you cashback, you can save more money by making your payment with this card. 

The 3 Cheapest Broadband Providers in the UK 

In the UK, you will find lots of broadband providers. We have selected the ones considered the cheapest broadband providers in the UK. They could also be called budget broadband providers. Check them out below: 

TalkTalk

This company is 100% focused on cheap broadband deals, so, you will be able to find the best affordable deal for you. Their customer service doesn't rank high, but they are trying to change this by working to improve their service. 

Plusnet 

This company is highly recommended due to their outstanding customer service. If you want peace of mind to receive the best support you can before, during and after the installation, pick Plusnet! The company offers affordable standard broadband (ADSL) and fibre packages.

NOW TV Broadband

This is a new brand from Sky. Now Broadband can be considered a budget broadband provider because with them you don't need to get a contract if you don't want to, paying month by month. They also have one of the cheapest fibre packages available at the moment. 

Can I get a cheap broadband deal from Sky, BT, and Virgin Media?

Even though Sky, BT and Virgin Media are not considered budget and cheap broadband providers, you can still find some good deals with them. Read this article to see how to find the best broadband deal for your needs. 

Sky has created NOW Broadband with their cheapest options. BT is a more traditional company and their prices tend to be more expensive. Virgin Media doesn't even offer ADSL broadband anymore. The company only works with fibre packages and more advanced internet technology. 

10 tips to haggle broadband

If you don’t want to get a new broadband contract but still want to get a cheaper deal, you will need to learn how to haggle. We have selected 10 tips to help you:

TIP 1: Never pay for what you don't use 

Sometimes your broadband package can include more things that you are using. Look out for anything you can cancel and see if you can get any discounts with the cancellations. 

TIP 2: Be polite and firm 

You will need to be firm and polite. You are calling to get what you want and are not going to accept no as an answer. The more polite you are, more likely you will get what you want. We have some phrases you can use: 

• I have a budget and the maximum I can afford is £x per month. 
• This other provider can give me this same deal for less. 
• I will need some time to think about this. 
• That’s still a lot of money. 
• Is there anything you can do?

TIP 3: Get to the customer retention team 

You need to get to the customer retention team to have the best results. This team is trained to retain customers, so they will try their best to keep you as a customer.

TIP 4: Gather as much information as you can about your current deal and the one you want to get 

The more information you have, the easier it will be to convince your provider to give you what you want. You need to compare your current deal with the one you want to get and ask for exactly the same. Is the new deal faster? Ask for that. The more specific you are, the higher your chances are. You can also use websites like ismybillfair.com to check if you are paying a fair price for your broadband package. 

TIP 5: Take into account the time you are going to haggle 

The best time to haggle is when your contract is ending or has already expired. During this period, you have more power to negotiate as your provider will try its best to keep you as a customer.

TIP 6: Don’t accept the first offer 

If your broadband provider offers you something quickly, it means that you can get more from it. Try to get more and if you can’t, accept what was offered first. 

TIP 7: If your broadband provider can’t make it cheaper, ask for free extras

If you can’t get discounts, see if you can get any extras for free. Sometimes your broadband provider can: 

• Increase your data limit
• Give you a better router
• Increase your speed
• Give you additional landline services

TIP 8: Make sure you mention any issues you might have had with your current provider

If you had any issues or are having issues with your current broadband service, make sure you mention them. If your current provider is giving you more problems than solutions, it will be easier to leave your contract without any charges. 

TIP 9: Don’t accept anything you are not 100% about 

If your provider tries to offer something, make sure you only accept it if you are 100% sure as you won't be able to renegotiate for a while. Only say yes to a deal you are 100% happy with. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Keep in mind that sometimes you won't be able to get the deal that fits your expectations 100%, but you can get closer to that the harder you try. 

TIP 10: Try more than once until you get what you want

Broadband providers have more than one team dealing with customer service. Your first contact tends to be negative as they usually will say they can’t help you. That is why you need to insist and ask to talk to someone that can help you. The more you try, the more likely you will get what you want. 

Switching to a cheaper broadband deal: step by step on how to do it! 

If you decide to switch to a cheaper broadband deal, the biggest concern you might have is how long will I stay without access to the internet? Your new provider will promise you a time frame that you will be connected again, this usually is two weeks or 10 working days. So it’s better to do the switch when you know you won't need to use the internet. Also, you can always use your mobile phone to access the internet for important matters during this time.  Switching to your broadband provider doesn't need to be a hassle. We have a step by step process to help you!

Step 1: Choose your new broadband provider and package 

Now you know that you can get a cheaper broadband package that will provide you with the broadband speed you need. It’s time to choose your new broadband provider and package. Which one is best for you? Check out our guide on how to choose your broadband deal to make sure you are picking the right one!

Step 2: Contact your current broadband provider one more time and see if they can improve your deal 

Now it’s time to try all the tips you have above about haggling! Test your ability to get a better deal. 

Step 3: Now it’s time to switch! 

If your current provider does not give you what you want, it’s time to change. Sometimes walking away to a cheaper deal is the only option when your provider isn’t being helpful. You’ll end up saving money so it’s worth it.

Step 4: Get your new broadband package 

To get your new broadband package, you will need to contact your chosen provider by phone or via their official website. On your chosen provider's official website, you will need to check if the deal is available in your area. If the deal is available to you, you can proceed to the payment page and buy your new broadband deal. It’s really quick. You will receive a confirmation email with your new contract. You also will be able to select a delivery date and an installation date if you don't have access to their cable. 

• Contact Talk Talk:  phone - 0345 172 0088, official website
• Contact Plusnet: phone - 0800 432 0200, official website
• Contact Now Broadband: phone - 03303 323050, official website

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you don't have a cable that leads  to your address, you might be charged extra as they will need to get you connected to their network. An engineer will need to come and get the cable from the telephone cabinet and connect it to your address.  If you are renting you might want to ask your landlord about that. You can also get this information from your new provider. They will be able to see in their system what cable is connected to your address. 

Step 5: Cancel your current broadband package 

To cancel your current broadband package, you will need to contact your provider and ask for the termination of your contract. Some of them will let you do that online. If your contract has expired, you won’t be charged anything, if your contract hasn’t expired, you might need to pay an exit fee. Some companies allow you to leave without charges after one year of the contract. Check with your provider if that is the case. You might also be asked to send your router back and be charged if you fail to do so. Keep calm, your current provider will guide you on how to terminate your contract with ease. Sometimes, you don't need to contact your current provider, as your new provider will contact them for you. You can check that with your new provider by calling them. Read more about what to do if you just need to tell your new provider or if you need to tell both providers. 

Step 6: Get ready for a maximum of two weeks without internet and to be home during the installation day

Your new provider will have a maximum of two weeks to get you connected. It also depends on your availability. Make sure you are home for the installation date if you requested one, or for delivery if you are setting it up yourself. The installation will not take longer than a few hours. If you are setting yourself up, make sure you have done your research, you have the right cable and you know how to connect the router properly. Finally, get organised to be without internet for a maximum of two weeks. 

Step 7: Enjoy your cheaper broadband! 

Your new provider has delivered or installed your new broadband and you are now good to go! With seven easy steps, you can get a better broadband package. Do your research and see what will work best for you! 

FAQ