Fast4 broadband for under £10

Internet service provider Fast4.net has launched a new high-speed broadband service starting at under £10. The new 24Mbps service is available in five different packages with the cheapest starting at £9.98 a month. Customers are currently testing the new service after Fast4.net switched to an entirely unbundled (LLU) network. According to a company spokesperson, some customers will be able to surf at 22Mbps with an upload speed of 1.3Mbps, though these speeds will decrease the further a customer is from an exchange. Nick Pulsford of Fast4.net said: "We have not changed any of our prices for these new services which means that if customers wish to switch to us they can enjoy 24Mbps broadband for only £9.98 a month." New customers who switch to Fast4 can also receive one month’s free service. There is no exit fee for leaving and all packages operate on a monthly contract. LLU (local loop unbundling) is a process where telecom providers can install their own equipment in telephone exchanges rather than relying on BT's network. This means they can offer faster theoretical connection speeds for broadband packages than ISPs using BT's network, which is currently limited to 8Mbps. Other companies offering unbundled broadband packages include Tiscali, Be Broadband and its parent company, O2, Orange and Sky. www.fast4.net