February's top five broadband deals and special offers

While the government very, very quietly celebrates the fact the recession is apparently over (for now), it certainly doesn't feel like it for a lot of us. And when you're trying to keep a close eye on your finances, saving money on your broadband can make a real difference.

Below you'll find the top five broadband deals around (January/February 2010) from five of the top UK internet service providers. Simply click on the company's logo to be taken directly to their official website, where you can get started with the sign up process.

Alternatively, you can click on the name of the broadband provider to go to its dedicated Broadband Genie page, which will also list all of its other deals. These provider pages have other useful information as well, such as company details and survey results from customers who use them and have rated their service.

PlusNet: While PlusNet may not be a household name, it is certainly owned by one in the shape of good old British Telecom: this little fact might help you make your decision if you've been thinking the its super low prices meant it might be some fly by night operation. Even better, if you're currently a Tiscali customer that isn't too keen on being swallowed up by TalkTalk, you can instead move to PlusNet and get your first three months 'free' by clicking through to this deal and using the voucher code 'tiscalisave'.

O2: Broadband Genie's most popular fixed-line ISP last year, O2 is certainly moving in the right direction when it comes to home broadband. It has always been a favourite in the mobile arena due to its great customer service, and this is giving it some traction in the fixed-line arena too. But it's not all about the person on the other end of the phone when you've got a gripe - it has some great deals as well, which are improved even more if you're an O2 mobile customer (you'll get an extra £5 per month off for the whole contract length!). Its 20Mb deal is currently free for the first two months of your 12-month deal. 

Virgin Media: If you're lucky enough to be in a cable area and want a home entertainment deal that has a bit of everything, Virgin Media's currently has an offer that's pretty hard to beat. Cable used to have a pretty dodgy reputation, but it's currently the fastest internet on the block with 50Mb packages available across its network. The 12-month contract has free set-up, broadband with a 10Mb download limit, Virgin's 'M' TV package with a bonus 20 channels on top, plus a landline too. It's £18 per month, but currently you get the first two months free. 

BT: If you're looking for a deal within the safe hands of BT, perhaps after having a worse experience with one of its cheaper competitors, now is the time to do it - especially if you like a good natter. Until the end of February, several of its 18-month broadband deals have free unlimited anytime calls for three months. If you're looking to add TV into the bargain, check out its BT More access offer by clicking the BT logo: you'll get broadband (with a 10GB monthly limit), home phone and BT Vision (with all the channels) for £15.49 for the first three months (£30.98 there after).

Sky Broadband: If the BT offers don't float your boat, how about setting yourself up with a Sky TV deal? Until March 25, you can get a nice short 12-month contract for the bargain price of £18 per month (2GB broadband limit per month, plus free evening and weekend calls and the Sky+HD box) - plus £25 of M&S vouchers if you sign up online!