Mobile Broadband and Home Broadband Prices & Packages Comparison

Compare Home Broadband

Broadband deals

Compare Mobile Broadband

Dongles

Compare Smartphones

Smartphones

Broadband, Phone & Digital TV

Get free, personal, Ofcom-accredited comparison advice.0800 4661 043

Compare top Broadband Genie Deals

Quick guide to comparing broadband & mobile broadband

1What is Broadband Genie?

Broadband Genie provides a place where consumers can learn about home broadband, mobile broadband and smartphones and how to compare broadband providers in an unbiased, independent, plain-English environment. We maintain reviews and price comparison data for all the leading broadband ISPs and mobile broadband networks, and many of the smaller ones too. The broadband comparison guides on this page and throughout the site provide introductory help which is well worth a read if you're just starting to compare broadband prices or smartphone deals. When you feel like you've got it sussed, dive into our comparison tables to find the best broadband provider, smartphone package or best mobile broadband deal for you.

We set up Broadband Genie back in 2004 to allow people to compare broadband ISPs quickly and easily. Now more than 200,000 people a month use Broadband Genie to save money, check the performance of their current broadband internet or mobile broadband provider, look for a new smartphone or to read our plain-English guides. The benefits of using Broadband Genie remain the same:

  • Save time and money. We spend loads of time gathering and checking all the price and package data from all the top providers, so you don't have to.
  • Be a sheep, make your life easy. If you don't want to trawl through the comparison tables looking for that special deal, see what our experienced editors and users recommend.
  • Get an education. If you want to learn all about broadband, smartphones and the mobile internet, how it works and how to compare it, then let us translate it all into plain English for you. We've got help guides, blogs, daily news, and loads of places you can ask questions or just have a good moan.

Our promise to you

For our part, we promise above all else to be on your side. That means that we're impartial, independent, and consumer-focused, and we'll try our level best to avoid (or explain) jargon and make sure all of our data is bang up to date. Our aim is pretty simple: to help you find the best broadband package for you. And we won't even charge you - Broadband Genie is completely free of charge.

Your part of the bargain - support us!

If you find Broadband Genie useful and want to help us, please make sure you use the links and phone numbers displayed on Broadband Genie to place your order with your broadband, smartphone or mobile broadband supplier of choice. That way, we get a commission from the provider (some of the time, anyway) which allows us to operate as a profitable business and keep the service free of charge to everybody. Please support us!

You can read more about Broadband Genie here.

2What is broadband?

Broadband is a technology that allows you to access the internet (email, the web, downloads, remote access to office PC, and so on) at high speeds. Broadband internet is fast (and getting faster), continuous (doesn't need to be turned on and off) and independent of your phone calls (so you can use phone and broadband at the same time).

Very often, broadband is also wireless, which means you can wander round your house with your laptop and access your broadband connection wirelessly. Also, mobile broadband means you can now get online on the move, either via a device such as a laptop or netbook, or through a smartphone.

The companies that offer home broadband deals (BT Broadband, O2 Broadband,TalkTalk, Virgin Media, BE Broadband and so on), and the ones that offer mobile broadband and smartphones (such as T-Mobile, Vodafone, 3, Orange) are known as ISPs: internet service providers.

What types of broadband are available?

Broadband is a general term used to describe several types of broadband services that are delivered in different ways. Here are a few terms you may find when searching for a new broadband provider, along with a short explanation:

  • ADSL. This stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, but all you need to know is that it's what transforms your standard BT phone line into a high-speed internet connection. Most broadband services are ADSL, so remember you'll need to pay BT line rental (currently £11.25 per month, or sometimes cheaper if bundled with a different broadband provider) in addition to the advertised broadband fee.
  • Cable. Cable broadband (generally marketed these days as "fibre-optic broadband", which sounds better for some reason) works via a dedicated cable being provided to your home by Virgin Media (formed by the merger of NTL and Telewest). Telephone services and digital TV channels can be provided over the cable too, which means you could save some money on a bundled TV and broadband contract. Not all areas are capable of receiving cable though - this depends on your location. However, if you're in an area that is cabled it could be the best broadband provider for you. Click here for more about Virgin broadband.
  • LLU. LLU stands for local loop unbundling. This is where some home broadband providers (e.g. O2 broadband) put their own equipment into one of BT's telephone exchanges to improve on the quality, and in particular speed, that the line to a customer's house is capable of.
  • Mobile broadband. Mobile broadband is a broadband service that you can access away from home (in a cafe, on a beach, on site with a client, etc) on your smartphone, or via a laptop or PC using a USB dongle or modem which gets a 3G/HSPA signal from a mobile phone network. Mobile broadband can be signed up to separately from your home broadband service - either as a monthly contract or pay as you go mobile broadband deals or as part of a smartphone package. However, more and more joint home and mobile broadband contracts are beginning to spring up. As with all broadband services, the quality and reliability of your mobile broadband service very much depends on your location. If you live in an inner-city area you can expect to receive faster speeds and an improved signal than a customer who is accessing the internet from a rural location. Speeds and reliability depend heavily on the provider's network coverage.

Home broadband is generally bought on a pay monthly contract for 12 months or more. There's no such thing really as pay-as-you-go home broadband, although there are more flexible rolling contracts available - see our ?no contract broadband? comparison table)

3What's the difference between home and mobile broadband?

If you've ever wished you could get on with some online work while away from home, or that you could catch up on your emails without scouring the streets searching for an internet cafe, mobile broadband could be a life changing piece of technology.

Unlike home broadband, the mobile internet allows you to connect to the web wherever you are. Normally you have either a smartphone, or what is known as a "dongle" (or stick or modem) that plugs into a USB socket on your laptop or PC. Your mobile broadband dongle or smartphone allows you to access the internet all over the country (at work, at home, in the pub, on the beach!) as long as the mobile broadband company you sign up to covers the area that you're in.

Mobile broadband uses the same network as mobile phones. Just as your mobile phone connection sometimes gets weak (making the call break up or even cut off) wireless mobile broadband coverage can be a little temperamental too. But the good news is services are improving all the time. In built-up areas in particular mobile broadband dongles will connect to a 3G (or, even better, HSPA) mobile broadband network. This means you can surf the net with speeds that are sufficient to easily use modern internet facilities such as the BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Unless you take the smartphone option, when you sign up to a mobile internet service your provider will supply you with the wireless broadband dongle required to get you online (although some deals now include a subsidised laptop (see our free laptops comparison table), which may have an embedded data card instead of a dongle - it's much the same thing). One of the very best things about mobile broadband is that you can (in theory) just plug the dongle into your laptop and be online in minutes. The software self-installs, and there's no need for installation disks.

4Can mobile broadband replace my home broadband?

In theory yes, but probably not for the majority of people - yet. Some analysts predict 4G mobile broadband will eventually outperform home, fixed-line broadband. But currently, mobile internet speeds (despite the advertising) very rarely match up to home broadband. The same goes for the reliability of signal. And, with Virgin Media pushing fixed-line broadband speeds up to the 50Mb mark in 2010, the gap has widened, not shrunk. However, mobile broadband is great in certain situations and for certain types of users: it's obviously great on the move, and also as a backup to your home or business broadband connection, while students flitting between halls of residence, the family home and the library often find it ideal. And, of course, you can use it anywhere!

Another angle is the growth of so-called "free laptop deals", whereby you get a subsidised laptop or netbook as part of your mobile broadband contract (in much the same way as you get a "free" mobile phone on a phone contract). These deals are fantastically popular with consumers as a cheap way of getting online and getting a new computer at the same time, but do be aware that the laptop isn't really free - you simply pay it off over the life of the contract.

Lastly, there's the smartphone option. With many mobiles now having screens bigger than three or even four inches, and with many favourite websites such as Facebook, Gmail and Twitter available in application ('app') form made specifically for smartphones, they're increasingly appealing. Many sites are stripped down to a mobile form, meaning you need less of a good signal to surf around the net. However, the small screen isn't right for everything, and download allowances are often smaller. That said, iPhone deals tend to come with unlimited alowance!

Is it as difficult to install as home broadband can be?

Thankfully, it's not. There are no complicated settings to get your head round and you really could be set up within minutes. Unlike home broadband, you don't need to worry about ISP settings or working out how to set up usernames and passwords. You don't even have to set up security preferences either. If you're using a USB dongle, the drivers should automatically install on your machine and you're ready to go. If they don't, it should simply be a case of running the device from the 'My computer' link - it should be recognised as a new drive in your list.

Of course, this also means you can easily switch computers at any time: if you have more than one laptop or PC, you can share your 3G donglearound without a fuss.

Does the mobile internet actually work?

Here at Broadband Genie we've been road-testing mobile broadband since it arrived in 2007 and - with some exceptions - we've been pretty impressed. When we first plugged a dongle in, we spent the first 10 minutes marvelling at the fact we could access the internet from anywhere, just like that, but it didn't take us long to take it for granted and start moaning about the occasional drop in speed.

It's nice that when you're not in a 3G coverage area you can still access the internet via the 2G network (albeit at slower speeds), and the single best thing about mobile broadband is that you just plug the dongle in and you're away (unlike home broadband, which can take hours - sometimes on premium support numbers - to get working).

Let's face it, all technology can be temperamental at times. Just like with a mobile phone, you can sometimes experience difficulties with coverage, or 'time outs' when you're web browsing. The classic for us has been using mobile broadband on the train, where you whizz along for a bit on a speedy 3G connection, then go through a tunnel and lose coverage - back to square one.

Just like your home broadband, it pays to be dubious about the advertised 'up to' maximum speed the service providers claim. This is the maximum you could possibly get with the technology they offer, so don't expect to get it. You're more likely to be able to surf at a fraction of the speed your provider tells you. Plenty of things affect the speed of your mobile broadband. If there are lots of other mobile broadband users in your area, you all have to share the same bandwidth - this can slow the speed right down. Other factors such as signal strength and electrical interference also play a part.

If you are in a rural area, chances are you won't be able to connect to a 3G service - unfortunately, this means that your speed will be a lot less nifty. The good news is that even at its slowest pace, you should be able to carry out everyday tasks, such as checking your email, without too much stress.

Once you compare cheap mobile broadband providers, before you sign up to a service it's worth checking their coverage map. With this you will be able to determine where you will receive 3G broadband. If you are based in or visit an area a lot of the time that doesn't have 3G coverage, it's probably not the right service for you.

Can I use mobile broadband overseas?

You should be able to use your wireless dongle or smartphone overseas, but be very aware of the costs. There have been some real horror stories from customers returning home from holiday to find a bill on their doormat for thousands of pounds, all because they downloaded a TV show whilst in another country to watch on the beach. If you regularly travel overseas, it is worth looking for packages specifically aimed at travellers. These include monthly bundled overseas data allowances, but are also very expensive.

5What are free laptop with broadband deals all about?

Mobile broadband free laptop deals have proved massively popular with consumers. You basically get a free laptop or netbook at the start of your mobile broadband contract, then pay it off over the life of the contract - usually 24 months. If you're on the ball, you'll have noticed that the laptop isn't really free after all. Still, if you're looking for a low-cost way to get online AND get a new laptop or netbook (or looking for an alternative to traditional contract laptops) then laptop contracts could be the answer. Just be aware that the laptop isn't really free. Oh, and because the retailer has to hand over an expensive computer at the start of the contract they tend to be averse to people with bad credit ratings - our research shows that around 75% of all applications for these laptop deals are rejected!

6How do I compare broadband prices on fixed-line deals?

What broadband, then? The cost of home broadband varies greatly according to factors such as length of contract, download speed and download caps. You may also find that you get a better deal if you sign up to one of the UK broadband providers that bundles in a television or phone call service. Make sure you check our guide to the best broadband and phone deals We would certainly advise carrying out some research and shopping around before signing up to fixed-line broadband service - especially as you could be signed into the contract for anything up to two years. The best broadband provider may be that extra five minutes research away.

Keep an eye out for special offers and introductory rates from broadband providers - UK deals are very competitive, so broadband providers often launch cheaper deals, encouraging customers to sign up with the promise of several months' broadband at a reduced rate. This can represent a significant saving, but make sure you realise the price will go up!

How do I find the best broadband provider UK for me?

Broadband Genie publishes and maintains a whole bunch of broadband comparison tables to help consumers find the right deal. A good starting point would be our table of all broadband deals, or you can drill down into broadband and phone bundles, broadband and TV bundles, and even the best business broadband deals. Or, if you prefer, just go straight for the cheap broadband.

You'll probably be able find a big list of ISPs and packages within your budget. But which has the best broadband? To get you started, think about these six factors when you compare broadband prices:

  • Availability. Not all broadband packages are available in all postcodes. Make sure you use our postcode availability checkers at the top of each home broadband comparison page to see what broadband is available where you live.
  • Brand. It's important to some people to go with a trusted brand. You can check our broadband reviews to get the opinions of our expert editors as well as real broadband customers (for example see the Plusnet broadband review).
  • Speed. Is connection speed important to you? If you are only a casual internet user and simply want to do things like check your email, read the news and do your banking online, you can probably make do with a standard service - up to 8Mb (megabits per second) is ample for tasks like these. However, if want to use your broadband connection to carry out more bandwidth-intensive tasks such as downloading TV programs through the BBC's iPlayer, or online gaming, something faster - such as a 24Mb service - will make the experience much quicker and enjoyable.
  • Download limit. Broadband providers normally impose a download 'cap' on customers, so you also need to think about the volume of data you will be downloading. Even checking your email or visiting a web page requires you to download data. For occasional users only, a download cap of 5GB-10GB/month should be plenty. However, if you exceed your limit you could have your speeds cut to a very slow level, or even be charged extra. If you are a heavy user or do not want to worry about going over your download cap, an 'unlimited' service is probably best. These generally cost a little more than capped services per month, but you shouldn't need to restrict your usage at all. However, even so-called unlimited packages are generally subject to a 'fair use policy', though, so make sure you read the small print.
  • Contract length. Contract Lengths vary from one month to two years, so there really is something for everyone. When you sign up to a broadband package you are obliged to stick with that service for the stated time. This means you can't cancel within that period without incurring substantial charges: even exceptional circumstances will probably lead to some kind of penalty. Longer contract terms offer better value for money, but you should be completely happy to be tied into a contract for the stated period before you sign on the dotted line: you need to be sure you have the best broadband provider for you to take on a two-year tariff. (For shorter deals, see our ?broadband no contract" comparison table)
  • Price (obviously). Before you search for the best broadband it's a good idea to sit down and work out how much you want to spend every month. Generally (but not always, of course) if you afford more then you'll get a better service with more bells and whistles. But don't be drawn to the cheapest broadband deals simply for the offer of a free gadget or bundled service unless you are absolutely sure you can keep up with payments for the total term of your contract.
  • Extras. When it comes to broadband, UK customers are the same as they are with everything else - we love a bargain offer. Rather than seek out a solitary broadband deal you could drastically cut your household's monthly bills by seeking out a bundled broadband package that includes services such as free phone calls or digital TV subscriptions.

7How do I compare mobile broadband prices and find the best mobile broadband UK?

Currently, the main providers for mobile internet are T-Mobile ,Vodafone, Orange, 02 and 3- in other words, the mobile phone network operators. Both BT and Virgin Media now also offer a mobile broadband service. It's impossible to say off-hand which of the providers offers the best mobile broadband deals as there are several factors people need to consider when looking for a mobile internet package.

Here are some of the main criteria to bear in mind when doing a mobile broadband comparison:

  • Usage/download limits. Probably the most important thing to consider is whether you'll be a heavy or a light user (in the same way as you would judge a mobile phone contract by how much you're likely to use it). For the vast majority of users a lower limit (perhaps 3GB) will be absolutely fine, but you'll need more if you plan on file sharing, downloading lots of music, or streaming content such as YouTube or the BBC iPlayer.
  • Speed. Different providers advertise different speeds, but our advice is to ingore the advertised speed - the chances are you'll get a similar performance from all of them - your location will probably be more of a deciding factor, due to mast locations. We wouldn't recommend choosing a package purely on the basis of the speed offered.
  • Monthly contract or pay as you go. Decisions, decisions...
  • Free laptop deals. Many providers offer deals where you pay a bit more and get a "free laptop" as part of the contract - these mobile broadband free laptop deals are hugely popular for obvious reasons. This can be a great way to get online if you need a new computer, but do make sure you add up the total contract cost and check that it's not cheaper to just go and buy a laptop. Also, are you really getting a laptop that exactly fits your needs? Click here for our comparison of the best mobile broadband with free laptop deals
  • Price versus contract lengths. Generally, you'll get a cheaper monthly tariff if you're prepared to commit for a longer contract. But due to the ever improving nature of the mobile broadband market, this can also be a risk.

Rather than clicking round all the providers' sites, Mobile Broadband Genie maintains an up-to-date, complete listing of mobile broadband offers and prices which you check free of charge. It's the best way to compare the cheapest mobile broadband deals.

How much does mobile internet cost?

Subscription rates for mobile broadband are changing all the time, so it's worth hunting around our website for the best deals before signing up.

There are two ways to pay when signing up to mobile broadband: just like when you sign up for mobile phone deal, your options are a monthly contract or a 'pay as you go mobile broadband' option. Contracts will often land you dongle deals and a better usage allowance, at the cost of agreeing to stay with the contract for anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Some mobile broadband providers also now offer rolling monthly contracts, but the price is less competitive than longer deals and you're less likely to get a free dongle (like a mobile phone contract, but with speed and usage limits rather than talk-time limits and a free handset).

pay as you go broadband lets you buy credit for your pay as you go broadband dongle, topping up when you need more data. This can be done in two ways, depending on which mobile internet provider you choose: pay per day, or pay per GB. These options can be much better for occasional and light users. Mobile broadband pay as you go deals usually involve paying an up-front fee for your pay as you go dongle.

UK pay monthly contracts start from around £10/mth (or from around £17.50/mth for a free laptop with broadband package), but these cheap free laptops with mobile broadband deals tend to come with a small data allowance. If you go over this allowance, you can end up paying a hefty excess for the extra content you download or web sites you browse to after this.

Subscription prices tend to fall the longer you sign up for, while the amount of data allowed becomes more generous: just like a mobile phone or a fixed-line broadband service. ISPs tend to offer 1, 12, 18 and 24-month contracts and these can cost anything up to £30 per month for dongle-only tariffs. There are many deals that also include a 'free' laptop - for 'free', read subsidised. Expect to pay up to £40 per month on a long contract for one of these deals.

Also, you should be aware of one important thing with mobile broadband: UK costs are one thing, overseas is something else entirely. Taking your dongle abroad and using the mobile internet is prohibitively expensive and you risk a huge bill on your return.

Are there any hidden costs?

The main additional cost you may experience after you buy mobile broadband is 'overage' charges - penalty charges for exceeding your usage limit.

You need to be aware that, like home broadband, most mobile broadband contracts include a download cap. Unlike home broadband, though, the mobile providers enforce these limits strictly and there have been occasional high-profile horror stories where consumers have accidentally (but expensively) gone way over their usage limits.

You can often protect yourself from these charges by making use of a manual 'limiter' that allows your computer to limit you to a set daily amount. However, you need to be careful with these too - we have had complaints from our users about some of these trackers being unreliable, so be on your guard. Alternatively, T-Mobile offers a 'fair usage' policy rather than a strict download limit - this means you won't be charged if you go over your limit, but if you do so repeatedly T-Mobile will start to slow down your connection. If exceeding your limit is a real fear, it is definitely worth considering a pay as you go option.

As long as you stick to your download limit you should be OK. If you go over your download cap, however, you will be charged for every megabyte of data you use - this can soon mount up into a hefty bill if you do this regularly and you should check your provider's rates. And don't be fooled by deals that claim to be 'unlimited' - these will still be liable to a fair usage policy. Click for our unlimited mobile broadband comparison table

It's important to remember you may not be eligible for a free USB dongle with your package. Some tariffs require you to purchase your modem for a one off payment before you can get on line, while others charge a one-off set-up fee. Make sure you know all of the costs involved before you sign up.

8How do I switch broadband provider?

It's unwise to stay settled with a broadband provider after your contract ends without at least exploring the possibility of switching ISPs. You could save yourself money changing your provider, or get yourself a faster service with a more generous download cap.

Switching home broadband provider

First of all you need to check the date your contract ends. If this has passed or is fast approaching, you can get in contact with your current broadband provider to obtain a MAC code. It's now much easier to get a MAC code, especially if you give them a call - they are now obliged to pass it over to you swiftly under rules enforced by telecommunications watchdog Ofcom. You may find they try and convince you to stay by offering you a better deal, but if you still want to switch then that's your choice! When you've found the provider and package you want to sign up to, you should provide them with your MAC code. Your new provider should keep you update with the switching progress and when you should expect to be able to carry out the installation for your new ISP service. However, you could be without the internet for a couple of weeks. If you don't want to be tied into a long contract, then remember to check our “1 month broadband” comparison table.

Switching between cable and ADSL broadband

It's worth noting that switching from an ADSL provider (e.g. BT, TalkTalk) to a cable provider (Virgin Media), or vice versa, is simpler because you don't need a MAC code - you simply end the contract with one and start with the other.

Switching mobile broadband provider

Switching mobile broadband provider is pretty simple, in reality. It's important to know the correct procedure, especially with the advent of new technologies such as 4g mobile broadband right around the corner. If you're on a monthly contract then you'll need to cancel your contract (possibly incurring a penalty) or wait for it to end, then sign up to your new provider of choice. The main deterrent to switching mobile broadband providers is that the contracts can be lengthy (particularly if you're on a laptop deal). If you don't like the sound of that then make sure you choose a pay-as-you-go deal or a rolling one-month contract.

9What are modems, routers & dongles?

There are a few gadgets and gizmos that you will may to contend with to get up and running with your broadband service. From personal experience, the trick to getting your broadband hardware working is to follow the instructions and, what seems to be most important, switch everything on in the right order.

The first essential for home broadband is a 'modem', the magic box that receives the broadband signal in your home. Then you need a 'router', which is another magic box (or is sometimes combined with the modem into one very magic box) that distributes the broadband signal to your computer(s) and allows you to connect two or more computers to the internet through one line. Many routers are now wireless, which means a number of internet capable machines can access the internet at once via its wireless receiver (provided each machine has one; pretty much all laptops do these days, but you may need yo buy a wireless adaptor for your PC or games console). Most home broadband providers now supply a wireless router as part of their starter pack and will sent this out to you once you have signed up to a contract.

When you're searching for a mobile broadband provider, the chances are these words will pop up now and again. Here's what they mean...

3G mobile broadband - 3G is a name for the service that allows fast, mobile access to the internet via the mobile phone networks. It's what makes fast browsing possible when you're away from home. With a 3G service, you should be able to carry out quite demanding tasks like downloading videos and music.

HSPA - This stands for 'high speed packet access', which is a bit of a mouthful. All you need to know is that this allows you to upload and download large files to your device like email attachments at something like the speeds you would with your home broadband. you may also see HSUPA and HSDPA - with the extra letter standing for 'upload' and 'download' respectively.

Dongle - This is the name given to the USB modem that plugs into your laptop (see our dongles for laptops comparison table). It bears a resemblance to a USB memory stick, but enables you to get a connection for your mobile broadband. dongles are 'plug and play', so once you slot it into one of your laptop's USB slots it will automatically install so you can surf the web within minutes.

There are also dongle pay as you go offers available, so please make sure you also visit our dedicated pay as you go dongles for laptops page.