Tips on how to find the best Internet provider?

[Ed G]

There no secret you just pick from one in your area.You will not have many choices.If you have someone like Comcast you are lucky.Some areas don't have big companies to choose from.it's all about what's available in your area.

[Shirley]

Top ten tips find the best broadband provider

1. Bundling
Generally, bundling offers excellent value for money. Standalone broadband deals can come in at more than double the cost of broadband and home phone packages at the moment, excluding line rental. It’s worth considering what you’re paying for phone, TV and internet, to see if you’d be better off with a bundle.
The OFCOM (Office of Communication) logo on the front of their hOFCOM wants to make it easier to switch broadband provider

2. Download allowance
With more and more of us downloading films, sending pictures and streaming catch-up TV, like BBC iPlayer, it’s worth considering an unlimited package. Consider your habits as a broadband user. Ask yourself if you spend a lot of time downloading content like films and games, or do you only want to do a little light surfing and emailing? If the former, it is worth choosing a package with a generous or unlimited download limit to accommodate your activity and avoid excess download penalties. Speeds are often faster and it can be frustrating if your speed doesn’t match your needs.

3. Match your needs
If you only use the internet to send the odd email, it’s probably not worth buying the biggest package. If you are at work during the day and make the majority of your calls in the evening, then an Evening & Weekend call package is probably more suitable than an Anytime calls plan. Also check for ‘hidden’ costs such as international or mobile phone call rates as these can prove expensive. Assess what you use your phone and internet for, then look for the package that fits – not the other way around.

4. Don’t be fooled by freebies
Many providers are offering extras like clubcard points, supermarket vouchers or credit to entice new customers. But try not to be fooled by add-ons. It’s best to consider the actual speed, line rental and monthly cost, how long the contract lasts for and if you can afford it.

5. Compare deals in your area
Broadband package availability, speeds and costs vary by postcode. Check online to see what deals are on offer in your area – they may provide a better service as well as savings. Plus, the irony is the best offers can usually be found online – so you have to go online to find them.

6. Speed limits

Broadband speed makes a huge difference to your experience as a customer, so choose a connection (14Mb or above) that won’t leave you waiting hours for a single file to download. This is even more important if there are multiple users online at the same time as this can cause a drag on your broadband speed.Britons top online shopping surveyAt work during the day? Try to assess your broadband needs.

7. Consider fibre optic
With BT Infinity’s fibre optic roll out and the launch of 4G from EE, superfast broadband is becoming much more widely available – and it is not as expensive as you may think. Fibre optic is fantastic for busy households or gamers who are hungry for bandwidth and can make that pesky ‘buffering’ symbol a thing of the past with prices starting from just £5 per month.

8. Contact your current provider
If you’re happy with your provider’s service, you may be able to get a better deal just by getting in touch. Sometimes just the threat of leaving will encourage your provider to offer a better deal. Give them a call to see if you can pay less or adapt your package to better suit your needs. But be aware you may have to sign up for another contract term.

9. Check you can leave
Contracts usually last between 12-18 months. Make sure you can actually leave and that you have sat out the minimum term. If not, there ould be a heavy cancellation fee for leaving. If you have seen out the minimum term, providers are often keen to do a deal to keep you locked in for another 12 months.

10. If you’re not happy, don’t stay
Most importantly, don’t get complacent. If your provider is not up to scratch, or the deal isn’t right for you, switch. Speak to the provider you’d like to move to, and they will arrange the whole process. Be prepared for them to pay a visit to install equipment – you may have to switch from phone line broadband to fibre optic for example – and to speak to the provider you’re leaving.

[sunny]

Go on uswitch website and search it there. It will give a bunch of packages and choose the best one that suits you. I would go for 20mb +