With energy bills, interest rates and the prices of goods and services skyrocketing in recent months, you might be thinking of ways you can reduce your monthly outgoings right now.
One way you can do this during the cost of living crisis is by paying less for your broadband service.
We’ve teamed up with comparison and switching service Uswitch to provide you with some handy tips on how you can save on your broadband.
Uswitch can help you save on your broadband, as well as gas and electricity, mobile phones, insurance and personal finance products, by helping you take advantage of the best prices and services on offer from suppliers.
Not only do Uswitch customers save an average of £162 on broadband deals*, but as a TopCashback member, you can earn yourself some cashback too if you click through to Uswitch from our site.
In fact, we’re currently offering members an exclusive £50 cashback** if they switch their broadband through Uswitch, so now could be the perfect time to get a great deal.
This rate is available from August 8th-14th and again from August 22nd-28th.
There are a few things you can do to ensure you don't overspend on a broadband package you don't need — and some ways you can reduce the monthly rate you're paying.
Here are some great tips on how to save money on your broadband bill:
Don’t pay for more than you need
Usually, the faster the broadband deal, the more expensive it’ll be. And the same goes for the amount of additional services which are bundled into the package.
If you choose a high-end, all-in broadband deal, but then only use a fraction of the services available to you, you’ll be paying more than you need to.
In June 2022, UK broadband providers agreed to waive early exit fees for any customer looking to downgrade their package to a cheaper deal mid-contract.
So, if you want to start paying less almost immediately, you should be able to change your package and reduce your monthly cost.
Switch (or re-contract) when your plan ends
Most providers significantly increase the monthly price of your plan once your contract finishes.
When you’re out of contract, the notice for changing your contract drops to just 30 days, and it also means providers can hike your monthly bills because your agreement has finished.
To make sure you don’t get stung by these out-of-contract price increases, broadband providers now have to send you an end of contract notification.
This is a reminder you’ll receive around 40 days before your contract finishes, letting you know you can now switch to another provider or re-contract to a new deal.
If your provider tells you they’re increasing your prices at the end of your contract, you’ll very likely save money by switching or finding a new deal as soon as you receive your notification.
Choose the right contract length
Broadband contract lengths can range from monthly rolling agreements all the way to two-year (and sometimes three-year) commitments.
Depending on your living arrangements, the length of your contract is an important factor when choosing your next broadband deal.
It can be tempting to opt for short or monthly rolling contracts if you’re renting or a student. However, they often come with higher monthly fees compared to longer term contracts.
Bundle your broadband with other services
If you pay for other telecoms services, such as a mobile phone contract or a television service like Sky or BT TV, you could save money by bundling these services with one provider.
Some providers are ‘quad-play’, which means they offer broadband, home phone, pay-TV and mobile phone services.
These providers will often offer comprehensive packages which include all four of these services — and they’re usually much cheaper than paying separate bills for each one.
If you’re thinking of switching your broadband, make sure you do so via Uswitch for the best prices.
You can also earn yourself and exclusive £50 cashback** if you switch broadband via Uswitch through us between August 8th-14th, or from August 22nd-28th.
* Average out of contract costs for TalkTalk Fixed Price Unlimited Fibre 65 and Phone Line, Sky Superfast Broadband, Virgin Media M100 Ultrafast Fibre Broadband & Phone and BT Fibre 2 Broadband at £452.97 per year compared to Vodafone Superfast 2 Broadband and Phone Line at £275.40 per year. Correct as of February 2022.
** The cashback rate displayed is what Plus members will receive. The Classic rate may vary.
