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How can I check gigafast broadband in my area

Our gigafast broadband availability checker details many of providers across the UK. It also explains why using BTs openreach checker may not give you accurate results.

Broadband Contract Length

You will typically find 12, 18 or 24 month broadband contracts. I would rather go with a 12 month agreement, like Direct Save, as most of the broadband providers with 18 and 24 month contracts will increase their prices annually by a percentage above the consumer price index (CPI).

That can add £4 to £8 per month to your monthly broadband bill. For instance, in December 2022, the CPI rate was 10.5% and for BT customers this meant that from 31 March 2023 most of BT's broadband customers had a price increase of 14.4% (which is 10.5% plus 3.9%). Therefore, your £35 monthly broadband deal becomes £40.04 per month!

With a 12 month contract you can get a new broadband deal without incurring this increase. 

Location of customer support

Thankfully, full fibre broadband is very reliable but on occasion you may need support for billing issues or Wi-Fi connectivity. For me, I would prefer to discuss broadband or billing problems with a UK based support team.

I have had reason to call my broadband provider, Direct Save Telecom, and their support team member quickly explained that he could see that the broadband 'was up' and that he'd logged in to my wireless router and could see that the Wi-Fi signal had been turned off. He then remotely turned it back on. I blamed the wife, she must have touched the button when dusting.

Automatic Annual Price Increase

As mentioned above, the CPI rate plus the broadband providers percentage above that for calculating the annual price increase is an important factor when switching broadband provider. Not all broadband companies have this enforced price rise, so check the fine print. Unless, of course, you have chosen a 12 month agreement. 

Are the comparisons site featuring all internet providers

No, for a variety of reasons. One is that there are too many full fibre providers who only operate in a particular region and this could prove very difficult to maintain.

There are not that many broadband providers that can supply the whole of the UK so it could be possible to display 'whole of market' on the broadband comparison sites. Perhaps Ofcom may consider this in the future in the way that they audit and issue a broadband comparison site with Ofcom Accreditation.

Set Up Fee

Will your broadband deal have a free set up  and does it include the cost of post, packing and insurance for the 'free' wireless router. Worth checking as this could ad £6 to £10 to your connection costs.

Wireless Router

Is it dual band for the WiFi signal. Dual-band wireless routers are routers capable of transmitting and receiving data on two frequencies (5GHz and 2.4GHz).

Rebel Internet provide advanced hardware with stylish tri-band SuperPods that plug into your wall and create a powerful Wi-Fi home network.

The broadband router may operate on one frequency at a time, but a better specification router will simultaneously use both giving more bandwidth and flexibilty. The 5GHz band is better for broadband speed and performance, whilst the 2.4GHz band has more range.

Credit checking by internet providers for broadband agreement, is it really necessary?

In the realm of broadband agreements, the necessity of credit checking by internet providers is a topic that warrants examination. Contrary to popular belief, I am inclined to argue that credit checking may not be an essential requirement for several compelling reasons. Firstly, considering the relatively affordable monthly cost of broadband services, ranging from £25 to £35, it is highly likely that customers would prioritize paying their bills promptly. The potential disruption caused by a lack of internet connectivity within a household serves as a strong incentive for individuals to ensure their payments are made in a timely manner. Even in cases where a direct debit may fail, it is probable that customers would promptly rectify the situation once notified or temporarily pause their broadband service until the payment is resolved.

Furthermore, from the perspective of broadband providers, it seems counterintuitive to invest significant financial resources in driving potential customers to their websites, only to subsequently engage a credit checking agency that may reject a substantial portion of these prospects. This becomes particularly evident when considering that the majority of individuals, despite having a lower income, would still prioritize paying their monthly broadband bills. Therefore, it would be more prudent for providers to focus on attracting and retaining customers rather than implementing credit checks that may deter potential clientele.

It is important to recognize that credit checks are not infallible indicators of an individual's ability to meet their financial obligations. While credit scores can provide some insight into a person's financial history, they do not necessarily reflect their current circumstances or their commitment to fulfilling their broadband payment obligations. By relying solely on credit checks, internet providers may inadvertently exclude individuals who would otherwise be reliable customers. Therefore, it is worth considering alternative methods of assessing a customer's suitability for a broadband agreement that take into account a broader range of factors beyond credit history alone.

Both Direct Save and iTalk must agree as neither currently carry out credit checks.