A4.9 Broadband Internet Costs¶
Which broadband provider is best for studying in the UK?
There are quite a few broadband providers in the UK, such as Hyperoptic, Virgin Media, BT, Sky, Vodafone, Plusnet, and TalkTalk.
Broadband in the UK is somewhat different from that in China. For instance, there are relatively more UK broadband companies, offering more choice. However, UK broadband contracts typically start from a minimum of 12 months, with some requiring at least 18 months or more, so be sure to ask clearly when signing up. Similar to China, if you take advantage of promotional offers, you can get broadband much cheaper or receive some free gifts.
TenLitCat reminds you that although there are many broadband providers in the UK, you should still research in advance which provider has a good signal in the area you live. For example, after TenLitCat moved to a terraced community which was a bit far from the city centre (about a 20-minute walk), many network providers had poor coverage in that area. Only one provider's signal was usable, and even then, the speed was just average.
TenLitCat has used two broadband providers in the UK: Virgin and Sky. Both seemed quite similar, but in terms of convenience, Virgin was slightly better as it didn't require a phone line. If your property doesn't have a phone line, you might need to apply and pay extra to have one installed. Later, TenLitCat moved to a location that didn't support Virgin Media, so switched to Sky.
Virgin media
Website: https://www.virginmedia.com/shop/broadband
One of the providers TenLitCat used was Virgin. At the time, TenLitCat went directly to a city centre store to arrange the contract. After signing up on the spot, they provided a router for free. It's important to take good care of this router, as you will need to return it when your contract ends, if you don't renew, or when you cancel the service.
Virgin offers many packages, including landline-free broadband services, meaning you can get broadband without a phone line. For most properties, if there is no existing phone line, you cannot install broadband and would need to first apply with another provider, like BT, to install a phone line before getting broadband.
The prices are quite reasonable, especially for annual contracts. However, remember that if you buy an annual package, you generally cannot cancel midway. If you stop using their service before the end of the contract, you should ask in advance what the implications are; typically, you might have to pay early termination fees or installation charges. Virgin's network isn't supported everywhere in the UK, nor is their landline-free broadband – it's more common in slightly larger cities. Therefore, you need to check in advance on their official website by entering your postcode to see if they support Virgin Media or their landline-free broadband at your address. You can arrange the service via phone, their website, or in a store.
Sky
Website: https://www.sky.com
TenLitCat used Sky and found it quite good. There were almost no internet outages, and the speed was decent and sufficient. They also offer many internet packages, including bundles with TV etc. The prices vary, and you can often choose your own options. However, their service isn't available in all UK areas, so you need to check on their website first. If you want to watch TV in the UK, their broadband and TV bundles are a good option. But note, their contracts typically start from 18 months. If you aren't staying in the UK for more than 18 months, it's not advisable to sign up.
BT
Website: https://www.bt.com/broadband
This provider is very strong in the UK with extensive coverage. Basically, most places across the UK can have their broadband installed. Installing broadband in the UK usually requires a phone line. If your property happens not to have one, you would need to apply to BT to install a phone line first before you can get broadband – and it generally has to be a BT line – unless you use a landline-free broadband service, like the Virgin landline-free broadband mentioned above.
BT often runs promotions. Signing up for their broadband can sometimes include free access to sports TV channels, which is great for students who like watching sports. Furthermore, BT provides free Wi-Fi access in many public places for its broadband customers. This means that wherever you are in the UK, as long as you are a BT broadband customer, you can use their Wi-Fi for free wherever you can find their network.
For non-BT broadband users who want to use this BT Wi-Fi network, you need to pay extra. You can pay for time periods: e.g., £4 for 1 hour, £10 for 1 day, £25 for 5 days, £39 for 30 days. This can be convenient while waiting for your home broadband to be activated or when travelling. You can visit the BT Wi-Fi website to check where BT hotspots are in the UK, pricing, and other information: http://www.btwifi.co.uk/
BT's advantages, besides wide UK coverage, include very fast speeds (though in some areas it can be very slow or even disconnect) and generally good stability (though in some places it can be unstable), so it really depends on the specific location.
Talk Talk
Website: http://salesholding.talktalk.co.uk/
This provider is mainly known for being cheap. Apart from being inexpensive, there don't seem to be any particular standout advantages. While basic activities like web browsing, chatting, and watching videos are possible, TenLitCat wouldn't recommend it for international students, as you might find it frustrating when writing essays or working on video projects set by teachers.
TenLitCat reminds you:
Applying for broadband in the UK is actually quite similar to the process in China. First, choose which company's broadband you want to use. Then, visit their official website to look at package deals that suit you. These generally include internet-only services or bundled packages with phone and TV. Regardless of the provider, TenLitCat recommends choosing a package with slightly faster speeds from their offerings; speeds that are too slow might drive you crazy, especially when writing your dissertation.
TenLitCat specifically reminds you that the payment method for UK broadband are different from those in China. You need to open a UK bank account before you can apply for broadband, as the broadband fees require setting up a Direct Debit from your UK bank card for monthly payments.
Take your ID, tenancy agreement, and UK bank card to apply. Of course, you can ask in advance what documents the company you want to apply with requires for broadband installation, or apply directly on their website. Some companies offer special discounted packages for international students, or if you apply during a promotion, they might give you many free extras.
TenLitCat recommends going to a physical store to apply if possible. TenLitCat applied directly in a store, where they asked to see ID and the tenancy agreement, and the contract was signed on the spot. They happened to be running a promotion, so we got a discounted annual package. They provided one router for free in-store and then mailed an additional router to us for free. Of course, we later had to return both routers – one was still completely unused and sealed.
After applying for broadband, the internet isn't activated immediately. After applying, you often have to wait quite a while – roughly 2-3 weeks, or sometimes longer – for the service to be activated and for the router to be mailed to you. Sometimes an engineer comes to install it; it depends on the situation. Of course, if you apply at some stores, many broadband companies can provide the router on the same day. When collecting it, remember to ask if the router needs to be returned after you stop using the service.
Therefore, TenLitCat advises applying about a month in advance. For instance, TenLitCat's tenancy started on September 1st, and the application was made in August. The internet was activated just a few days after moving in, which was considered relatively quick.
After receiving the router, there will be installation instructions inside. You need to install it yourself according to the manual; it's very simple. If you encounter any problems during installation, you can call their helpline, where staff can assist you online – you can usually get through to a person quite quickly.
Basically, most UK broadband contracts start from 12 months, with some from 18 months. Be sure to ask clearly before signing up. However, even if you sign up for a 12-month broadband service, if you don't cancel it before the contract end date, it will typically auto-renew, meaning they will continue deducting payments monthly, but not at your original promotional rate – it will revert to the standard price. So, you must ask your provider how far in advance you need to cancel if you don't want to continue, how to cancel, and what the process involves. Generally, going to a store to cancel is best, as some companies require you to return the router.
Of course, if you think the broadband is good and want to continue using it after the 12 months, you should also contact them before the contract ends to ask if there are any new promotions for your package type. Usually, just by asking, they will offer you a new discount to continue. Otherwise, they will automatically charge the full standard monthly price. Asking is essentially like reapplying for broadband, but staying with the same company, often resulting in a much cheaper monthly price.
If you sign up for a 12-month broadband service but want to cancel midway, you will likely have to pay early termination fees, which often include recovering the initial installation costs. The requirements vary by company, so check the specific terms with your provider.
TenLitCat specifically reminds you: if you move house after signing up with a broadband provider, remember to inform the broadband company about 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives them sufficient time to rearrange the installation for your new property, so the service is ready when you move in. When setting up broadband, as most people choose Direct Debit, remember to also cancel the Direct Debit mandate with your bank after closing the service. Furthermore, if you graduate and return to your home country, remember to cancel all automatic payments for utilities, gym memberships, and any other services you set up for automatic renewal.