Setting up Broadband - Student House

kittenla

Hi,

I'm a student and I'm about to move into a new flat on the 1st July. I've never had to sort out my own bills before, as I've always had them included within the rent, and I don't know what to do about broadband! I know I need to sort it out ASAP but I don't understand what I need to do before I can choose a new supplier - if anything. My letting agents have been entirely unhelpful but did tell me that there is currently a landline in the flat - would I have to do anything to ensure this landline does not get disconnected?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks a lot!

[Deleted User]

1)Decide if you want fibre or broadband (obviously fibre is faster but more expensive, not all areas can get it).

2)Use a price comparison site to find the cheapest supplier for your area. Use their website to check if they do supply your area and often they'll give a minimum speed.

3)Google - <broadband company> and reviews

See if there are a lot of negative or positive reviews so you don't pick a bad supplier

Any supplier will install a new socket that will allow you to connect both phone and broadband/fibre. Some companies will install for free, some don't. Some will have offers, some don't. Most will offer the same max speed depending on which method you use as you will always be the same distance from your local BT box.

Also decide how long you are willing to commit for. Most companies will want you to sign up for 12 months if fibre. You can play one company off against the other (I got a quote for x provider but you are charging more? Long pause to see what they say.)

A lot of companies will offer TV packages as well.

But to be honest, if you investigate the companies online, you can discover most of this for yourself.

Take a bit of time over the decision but I am certain the array of different packages available and different price points will cause a brain storm lol. You could make a list of some sort to help you decide. It can be difficult to decide when on the phone which is the right price and what you are getting for that price lol. The companies will often arrange to call you back if you want time to decide.

paddyrg

If it's to be shared between property, someone will be torrenting everything and use up caps very quickly. Personally I'd get a £30 PAYG 12GB 4G SIM from Three and everyone else can sort themselves out.

G_M

Is it just for you?
Is it a house-share and broadband for everyone?
How many?
Who will be the bill-payer (for the BB, and for the other bills - best to share them out....)

dekaspace

Some fibre providers used to not sure if now say 18 month minimum, Virgin used to do a 9 month contract but cost more than a 12 months one (and their packages are more expensive to begin with anyway).

Fibre is the best shot as the old max was 20 meg on the old service but even half a mile from a exchange meant you might only get 3 or 4 megabytes, even at my current street its 12 meg old way 78 fibre and costs are almost the same.

Cashback can be a good incentive too.

From experience Plusnet are one of the best of a bad bunch, cheap/free connection, cheap line rental and many offers, cashback.

Virgin in the best of all for cable but its pricey if you can get it.

Sky are a good compromise but its a 40 meg rather than 80 for similar/same price as Plusnet.

alchemist.1

Try and get unlimited.

bouicca21

When DD was a student renting in known student area, Virgin were more or less sat outside at the beginning of term touting for business.

[Deleted User]

I use Plusnet, quick installation time, low costs for installation but talk talk had better prices. I was quite disappointed by Plusnet when I moved (no deals at all). However, Plusnet do have uncapped packages, which I need.

eddddy

1. Don't underestimate the time it takes to get connected. (Somebody I know assumed it was like gas and electric - a quick phone call and everything's done. In reality, they had to wait 4+ weeks with no broadband.)

2. Relatively few companies offer a 12 month contract for fibre. (Don't be tempted to take an 18 month contract and cancel after 12 months - unless you've read the cancellation terms and fees very thoroughly.)

In fact, given the lead times, you probably won't get connected until end of July - so you'll probably want to cancel after 11 months anyway.

keith969

paddyrg wrote: »

If it's to be shared between property, someone will be torrenting everything and use up caps very quickly. Personally I'd get a £30 PAYG 12GB 4G SIM from Three and everyone else can sort themselves out.

Seconded. If you get broadband on a landline the monthly line rental (17.99 a month from BT) will work out expensive unless you are sharing it, and you are likely to get stuck in a 12 month contract. Plus there may be one-off setup fees.

The_Earl_of_Streatham

Don't be lured in by offers, they'll get the value back and more in fees to close the account. As a student you're not likely to be at one address for more than a couple of years.

BT fleeced me when I moved, much more than the cost of the Sainsbury's vouchers that helped lure me in.