Broadband internet. The only way to experience the Internet is with Broadband. The Broadband Internet experience from Broadband Essentials.

Broadband Internet


Want to sign up to a broadband provider but are feeling a bit daunted? Broadband Essentials is the answer for you...



Get the best broadband deal with Broadband Essentials

Broadband Essentials has researched the broadband marketplace to bring you the best broadband deals around. There are a huge variety of broadband deals and services available so use our compare broadband provider service to find the one most suitable for you.

We've provided an impartial list of the best broadband deals around. All of the data Broadband Essentials uses comes from broadband providers and is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it is accurate.


Free, quick and easy service to get the best broadband deal for you

There is no charge for using any of our services. However, some broadband providers do charge a set up fee. All of the costs involved for a particular broadband service are set out clearly and simply when using our compare broadband provider service.

We've brought you the best deals around so you can concentrate on getting the best broadband package. We've done our homework so you don't have to!


Broadband essentials also provides information on a whole range of broadband products and services from ADSL and Cable to Online Gaming. Our Broadband answers page explains the terminology used in the broadband marketplace whilst our Broadband providers section provides a comprehensive breakdown of the packages offered by the main broadband providers.

If you are having problems getting to grips with the technology involved see our Hardware page.


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The Broadband Internet experience

Broadband speeds up your connection to the Internet enabling you do all your favourite things faster. Up to 160 times faster (8Mbps) than your current dial-up connection. From as little as £4.99 a month you could get fast internet and email access. This includes a free modem and free connection.


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Broadband Internet speed

Broadband comes in many different speeds, that is the speed with which data travels up and down your phone line or cable network. The standard entry level is now 8Mb, 160X faster than a dial-up internet connection.

Although 8Mb is now the standard broadband speed, broadband is becoming cheaper and cheaper and broadband speeds of up to 24Mb are achievable down your phone line or up to 50Mb via cable. The faster your broadband, the more enjoyable the whole online experience; internet pages load faster, movies and music download faster, online gaming is awesome.


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Broadband Usage

Most broadband packages have some sort of monthly usage allowance, varying from 2GB to 10GB to 30GB to unlimited. This figure indicates the amount of data you can transfer (download or upload) each month.

In order to simplify the comparison task we have split the way most people use the internet into 3 categories (Standard, Medium and High Usage), we use these categories in our compare broadband package service.


The following packages provide the best deal in each category:

Plusnet Value Broadband

Plusnet Value Broadband

Standard usage: ADSL

  • FREE for first 3 months (offer ends 31 Aug)
  • £6.49/month thereafter
  • Up to 8Mbps download speed
  • 10GB monthly usage
  • Free wireless router
  • No set up or connection fee
  • 12 month contract
  • Upgrade to Talk Evenings & Weekends (£10.95/month phone line rental)
  • Upgrade to Talk Anytime for £5/month extra (£10.95/month phone line rental)
Click here for more details

Be Value Broadband

Be Value Broadband

Medium usage: ADSL

  • £7.50/month thereafter
  • Up to 8Mbps download speed
  • Up to 1.3Mbps upload speed
  • 40GB monthly usage allowance
  • Free wireless Be Box modem
  • No set up or connection fee (BT line rental required)
  • 12 month contract
Click here for more details

Orange Home Starter Broadband

Orange Home Starter Broadband

High usage: ADSL

  • from £7/month with any Orange pay monthly mobile plan
  • from £10/month otherwise
  • Up to 20Mbps download speed
  • Unlimited monthly usage (fair usage policy applies)
  • Free wireless router
  • Free evening and weekend calls to all UK landlines
  • No set up or connection fee (BT line required)
  • 18 month contract
Click here for more details

Virgin Broadband L

Virgin Broadband L

Standard usage: Cable

  • £15/month for 3 months
  • £20/month thereafter
  • Up to 10Mbps download speed
  • Unlimited monthly usage
  • Free wireless 'N' router
  • £35 standard installation (£15 Quickstart self-install)
  • 12 month contract
Click here for more details

Virgin Broadband XL

Virgin Broadband XL

Medium usage: Cable

  • £25/month for 3 months
  • £30/month thereafter
  • Up to 20Mbps download speed
  • Unlimited monthly usage
  • Free wireless 'N' router
  • £35 standard installation (£15 Quickstart self-install)
  • 12 month contract
Click here for more details

Virgin Broadband XXL

Virgin Broadband XXL

High usage: Cable

  • £33/month for 3 months
  • £38/month thereafter
  • Up to 50Mbps download speed
  • Unlimited monthly usage
  • Free wireless 'N' router
  • £35 standard installation
  • Additional £20 activation fee payable
  • 12 month contract
Click here for more details

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Broadband Internet additional features offered

There are many different additional features available when looking at broadband packages. Some broadband providers include some or all of these additional features as standard, others are optional.

  • Email - the majority of broadband providers offer at least one personalised email account for free. The amount of email space and number of email accounts offered varies between providers.
  • Web space - space to host your own web site. Similarly to email, the amount of web space offered varies between providers.
  • Virus protection - email virus protection to stop your mailbox falling victim to the latest viruses.
  • Firewall protection - prevents unauthorised users from hacking into your computer.
  • Parental control - enables you to block offensive websites and control email use.
  • Junk mail/Spam filter - prevents your mailbox being clogged by annoying unsolicited emails.

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Broadband Internet contract options

There are two main options with regard to contracts:-

  • 12 month contract - pay monthly for a package that is usually cheaper and will probably contain additional features such as free router and connection costs. Some broadband providers do prefer 18 or even 24 month contracts.
  • 1 month contract - effectively a rolling monthly contract that gives you greater freedom allowing you to cancel your broadband package with just one months notice.

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