Rolling 1m broadband options

millymollymandy73

I'm getting confused and frustrated trying to find information on this. Basically I am out of contract and now paying almost £40 a month for broadband which is obviously a silly amount. However, because I am planning to move house next year and I don't know whether I'll be able to take my broadband with me (I may end up in a houseshare for instance) I obviously don't want to get tied up in a contract that I'm going to end up having to fork out expensive early termination fees for. But I am really struggling to find very short term low commitment options.

For additional context:

I will also be out of the country for a couple of months soon so I am wondering whether to cancel my provision but want to be sure there'll be a suitable option for when I'm coming back.

I don't get any phone signal into my flat because the walls are too thick so I can't use data options or make do with a phone for a while - I have to use WiFi for my phone at home

Sarahspangles

millymollymandy73 said:

I'm getting confused and frustrated trying to find information on this. Basically I am out of contract and now paying almost £40 a month for broadband which is obviously a silly amount. However, because I am planning to move house next year and I don't know whether I'll be able to take my broadband with me (I may end up in a houseshare for instance) I obviously don't want to get tied up in a contract that I'm going to end up having to fork out expensive early termination fees for. But I am really struggling to find very short term low commitment options.

For additional context:

I will also be out of the country for a couple of months soon so I am wondering whether to cancel my provision but want to be sure there'll be a suitable option for when I'm coming back.

I don't get any phone signal into my flat because the walls are too thick so I can't use data options or make do with a phone for a while - I have to use WiFi for my phone at home

Not a solution, but we couldn’t find one. I don’t want to renew as we plan to move. In theory we could get by with 4G once I retire and am no longer home working, but we set up a temporary 4G service at an empty family property nearby, and it’s very flaky.

Alderbank

There are broadband companies which offer monthly contracts but they can only offer it where suitable infrastructure is in place and of course the monthly cost is higher than for longer contracts.

Freeola is one example: where I live (we have fibre to the premises) they offer monthly broadband for about £40 a month.

https://freeola.com/broadband/short-term-broadband.php

If you live in a city or busy urban area there will be more options open to you. If you are out in the sticks, there might be no suitable network for any provider to supply you.

Goudy

Can you get a 5G signal in your home at all?
Not even by the window or on another network. one that you currently don't subscribe to?

You can download a free app that tells you the coverage and strength of 5G signals in your area (OpenSignal).

If you can find a 5G signal, you could use a 5G router.
Something like a TP Link Deco AX3000.

They work like any other router, sending out a Wifi signal throughout your home but instead on connecting to the phone line, it uses 5G from a mobile network

Then just use a cheap unlimited 5G data sim card in it, one on a rolling month contract.

As it works from 5G networks/masts, you can take it with you and it'll work as long as it gets a 5G signal.
You can swap Sim contracts to cheaper ones or when you move, one with a better signal for that area.

5G routers are perfect for houseshares, students etc.
There's no wirings into the house, no need for a phone line and it's moveable.
OK you have to buy the router, but after that you can swap Sims to suit you.

There are only a couple of actual 5G networks, EE, 3, O2 and Vodafone.
All the others like Smarty, Lebara, ID Mobile etc piggy back one of the above's network.

I've recently dumped our Plusnet broadband as it was very slow and kept dropping out, we also didn't need or use the landline anymore.
I bought a TP Link Deco AX3000, refurbished from an official distributor for £200.

According to OpenSignal, there's a 3 5G mast on the top of a building close to me so I got a Smarty (that runs on 3) unlimited data sim on a one month rolling contract for £15 a month.

My download speed on Plusnet, 7 to 8 Mbps, (but more often than not 0 Mbps).

With the 5G router and Smarty Sim it's averages 100 to 200 Mbps in busy times, like the evenings and late at night/early morning it tops out around 700 or more Mbps.

Vodaphone, EE and 3 will sell you their own 5G broadband contracts and supplier their own routers, but you're stuck in a contact for 12 to 18 months, then they gradually up the contract price.
By doing it yourself, you can limit the Sim contract to one month, change to other networks or buy cheaper Sim contacts based on your data usage.

You just need to find out what is the best 5G signal in you area.