Experts reveal top money-saving tips for choosing your student broadband deal
To help keep costs low, the broadband experts at Independent Advisor Broadband have revealed their top money-saving broadband tips…
The top 5 money-saving tips for taking out a student broadband deal:
1) Beware of price increases mid-contract
Price increases, often as a result of inflation, are typically disclosed at the time of signing your contract. To avoid this, it is advised to consider a fixed-deal broadband package. Although this will have a higher cost per month, it prevents you from any unexpected price hikes during or at the end of your contract.
2) Choose the correct contract length
As an academic year is typically only nine months long and most broadband providers will offer students shorter nine-month or 30-day rolling contracts to accommodate this, as opposed to paying for a full calendar year. In cases where a twelve-month contract is unavoidable, it may be more cost-effective to pay the predetermined cancellation fee as opposed to fulfilling the entire contract term.
3) Only pay for what you need
Choosing the appropriate WiFi speed is essential when looking to budget. As students, reliable internet is crucial when attending online lectures and meeting essay deadlines, making it tempting to opt for the fastest speed available. However, depending on how many people live in your student house, and what you use the internet for, you may require less bandwidth, offering a more budget-friendly option.
4) Choose unlimited broadband deals
As students, it is expected that you will need regular access to the internet throughout the academic year. Although most student broadbands provide unlimited WiFi access, confirming this feature is in your contract allows for uninterrupted internet access without the concern of additional charges caused by exceeding data limits.
5) Avoid setup fees
Most broadband providers will charge a setup fee, which can cost anywhere from £60 to £140 on average. However, many providers will offer student deals that waive the installation cost. It is advised to check the broadband provider’s website directly, or through external student channels for any ongoing promotions or deals.
