Broadband Checklist

Check the availability of the different types of broadband in your area - the two main types are ADSL and cable. In remote rural locations that lack coverage, satellite broadband offers an effective, if fairly expensive solution.

Consider your internet requirements in terms of speed and download limits - you could use the Web User Bandwidth Calculator to work out your approximate bandwidth usag.

Compare the latest offers using a broadband price-comparison site - try Web User's comparison service - you can sort results by first-year cost, monthly charge, minimum contract length, plus speed and download restrictions.

See if a bundle combining broadband, TV and/or phone could save you money - many of the cheapest broadband deals involve combining internet, digital TV and landline and mobile phone services in a single bill. By tailoring a package to suit your needs you can save yourself the cost and hassle of paying for two or three services separately.

Read customer reviews to gauge the quality of service offered by different ISPs - before making the switch to a new broadband provider, it's useful to know how exisiting (or former) customers rate the service. For customer views on different ISPs, visit Thinkbroadband.com or our Broadband Helo Forum.

Treat super-speed claims cautiously, as they rarely match what you'll receive - in the majority of cases, the connection speeds quoted by ISPs are maximum figures and unlikely to match what you actually receive. 

Watch out for great freebies but be wary of committing to a lengthy contract - many broadband providers offer "free gifts" such as laptops but you need to sign up to long contracts. If you terminate your contract early, you may have to return the freebie or face a penalty charge.

Read the small print to find out the cost of an ISP’s technical support line - the price of technical supports varies greatly between providers. The average charge is about 11p per minute, while some cost 50p a minute. To avoid being charged over the odds for technical support, ensure you read the relevant part of the contract closely before signing up.

Check your ISP’s cancellation policy to see if you’ll need to pay for leaving - if you leave your ISP within the minimum contract period, you'll probably have to pay a cancellation fee. This fee may be a fixed penalty, a percentage of your monthly subscription or the sum of payments due for the remainder of your contract - check your contract's Terms & Conditions.

Ask your ISP for your MAC so you can seamlessly transfer to a new provider - all ISPs are obliged to provide a Migration Authority Code (MAC) to any customer who wants one within five working days and it’s then valid for a period of 30 days. A MAC is a unique code which identifies a particular line. You give the MAC to the ISP you want to switch to - find out more about in our guide to switching ISPs.