Broadband with no contract

No contract broadband: your flexible friend

It's not always practical to sign up to a lengthy broadband contract, especially if you're not sure what you're going to be up to in six months time, or if you're only in short-term let accommodation.

Of course, if you want the benefits of high speed internet access without the burden of setting up a connection then there's always the option of kitting yourself up with a Pay As You Go mobile broadband dongle. However, if you also need to rely on faster download speeds and want the freedom of larger data limits, did you know a few of the larger fixed-line broadband providers also offer flexible broadband deals with rolling contracts?

By opting for a no contract (or at the very least a very short-term contract) fixed-line broadband service you can benefit from the same fast speeds as a longer 12 or 18-month home broadband connection. Flexible contract broadband speeds range from around 8Mb to 24Mb and some offer impressive upload speeds too.

Where's the catch?

As the provider isn't guaranteed to keep you as a customer for very long, to kit yourself up with no contract broadband most of the time you will be responsible for paying the set-up costs. This can be a pricey way of going about things if you decide to change providers often, but it's significantly cheaper than signing up for a lengthy contract and breaking your terms before the subscription period is over. If you sign up to a flexible broadband contract and end up paying for the set-up costs, you will still normally benefit from bundled extras such as a wireless router.

If you compare the monthly subscription price of packages with a rolling contract against longer contract deals however, the price will always be significantly higher. You're paying extra for the privilege of being able to cancel your connection at any time.

Are there any cancellation procedures?

Even though you're not signed up to a lengthy contract, you must still let your provider know if you intend to stop using your broadband service well in advance. Failure to do this may result in you having to pay bills for up to three more months than you'd planned.

How to find the right rolling contract for you

Take a look at Broadband Genie's 'Broadband with no contract' comparison list (above). Here, you will be able to quickly see whether there are any rolling contract packages that suit your budget and location.

Of course, the monthly price will always be a consideration, but make sure you also check out additional details, such as set-up costs and whether there are any download caps imposed. The length of rolling contracts may vary too. Although it's possible to sign up for rolling one-month packages, there are also some short three-month deals that may be of interest to you.

Remember, if you need a little helping hand making a decision there are plenty of independent reviews available on our site. Simply click on the reviews link underneath the 'Go' button to read up on what other users have to say about their experiences with that particular package and provider. These reviews are written and posted by fellow Broadband Genie readers, who have actual experience of dealing with the providers you're considering.

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