Which broadband?

Crossy

Son is moving into own place soon, and we are both confused about the different types and cost of broadband suppliers.

He does not want a landline or TV (will get a smart freeview TV) but uses his PC for downloading quite a lot so needs unlimited and reliable broadband.

Any suggestions? we have looked at comparison sites but they are so confusing - especially as we are not sure about speed requirements.

Thanks

bod1467

Unless he is going to use mobile data (not suitable for heavy data usage), or is going to use Virgin cable then he WILL need a landline to get broadband. Before anyone can make any suggestions or recommendations then we need to know which ISPs are available at the exchange to which the property is connected.

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

Check that out, let us know the exchange name and then we can start offering advice.

ChiefGrasscutter

In the UK an active voice landline is compulsory with broadband
You cannot buy 'naked dsl' as you can in other countries in the UK - a broadband service with no dial tone on the phone.
This is mandated (I think) by OFCOM.

This is because in the UK part of the phone rental is used to subsidise the broadband cost and infrastructure improvement expenditure by BT- and as there are many more phone only lines than BB activiated lines this is a considerable x-subsidy. Were it not so then BB charges would have to go up by a lot.
This is the charging structure set up for the UK.

So you can either buy the phone service from say from BT and the BB only from another supplier say plusnet or buy a combined phone/BB package from one of them.

Try plusnet unlimited phone/BB package?

The main issue with BB reliability is the state of the section of phone line between the property and the exchange - and is often multiple decades old. This will will be the same regardless of whose service you go with.

Yes it complex and gets even more so when you consider speed and whether the local exchange is still on 20CN, has been upgraded to 21CN or is now running FTTC, how far you are away from the exchange, or the local cabinet for FTTC.......etc etc.....

bod1467

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

In the UK an active voice landline is compulsory with broadband.

Unless you go Cable (Virgin) or Mobile (3G, 4G LTE).