Please help me get started on chhosing an internet provider

gemstars

Hi all,

I've bought a new house and this is my first time signing up for home access.

I'm looking to get the best value and weigh up the extra costs of having a faster broadband speed versus the cheapest broadband option.

What I know:
-I definately want broadband and I live in a broadband area
-I'm not restricted by anything else i.e. I don't currently have a phoneline or cable TV etc
-I don't particularly need a phoneline but I'd be happy to get one if it worked out cheaper than getting the broadband on it's own.

I've started looking around but I've just ended up getting myself confused.

Where's the best place to start? Are there any comparison websites around?

Thanks

Rikki

If you don't have cable in your area you will need a phone line to get broadband.

ckerrd

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/

A very good site - you can find out what is available in your area

If you don't have a phone line at all in the house you will need to get one installed, go down the cable route, or get a mobile broadband dongle.

gemstars

Rikki wrote: »

If you don't have cable in your area you will need a phone line to get broadband.

Sorry, I meant I live in a cable area, not a broadband area. I'm not very computer savvy!

ckerrd

Worth checking then to see how much cable would cost.

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/websales/service.do?id=2

Despite the fact that I live in a "cabled area" I cannot get it installed as my address is not on their database.

princess275

i've used virgin media and orange and have been impressed by the quality of both in terms of standard of service.

Donnie

princess275 wrote: »

i've used virgin media and orange and have been impressed by the quality of both in terms of standard of service.

That's not a statement that I ever expected to be posted here.

macman

gemstars wrote: »

Sorry, I meant I live in a cable area, not a broadband area. I'm not very computer savvy!

All cable areas are also broadband (if by 'broadband' in this context you mean ADSL broadband through a BT line).
Start with samknows.com , then exchange search, to see what your LLU options are-these will offer the best deals.
Broadband is exchange specific, so it's not possible to say 'ISP ABC is the best for broadband' on a national basis.
But to get any ADSL broadband service you will first need a landline installed.