Best Fibre internet deals

Finding the right Internet plan for you can be an overwhelming decision with all the different deals available on the market. We’ve rounded up what to look for in the best Internet plans to try and make things easier for you.

How to choose the best Internet plan

What makes an Internet plan the “best” changes from person to person, so we’ve compiled a list of things to look out for when you’re trying to choose the best Internet plan for you.

• Price. Not all plans are created equal, and some providers will simply charge more for a comparable plan. Most plans offer unlimited data these days, but you could think about potentially saving on a limited data plan if you’re not a heavy Internet user.
• Speed. Every provider has a typical evening speed for their plans. This tells you what speed you can expect when everyone is online in the evening, and is what you should be comparing between similar fibre plans. Use our tool to test out your current internet speed.
• Contract type. Month-to-month plans offer flexibility and let you switch providers on a whim, but some longer contract plans let you waive set-up fees or include a modem as part of the plan.
• Extras. Do you need a home phone line, or are you interested in entertainment bundles? Some providers will include extras that you can sign up for on their Internet plans.
• Provider reviews. While reading reviews is important, be aware that some providers compensate people for writing positive reviews about them to improve their star ratings. Also check whether negative reviews are related to issues with the provider or simply written by customers who are angry for other reasons.

How to choose the best speed for your needs

The speed you get on your Internet plan will depend on which type of Internet you’ve gone for. We’ll take a look at what different speeds are offered by fibre, mobile and ADSL connections, and whether you can choose a specific speed for your needs.

Fibre speeds

The Fibre Network is capable of speeds up to 2Gbps, with most plans being up to 1Gbps.

Mobile broadband speeds

The speed of mobile broadband can be highly variable, depending on where you are, how clear the space between you and the mobile tower is, and what technology you’re using. Here’s an idea of typical speed ranges for each technology:

• 3G: 2-10Mbps
• 4G: 20-50Mbps
• 5G: 100Mbps-1Gbps and up

Mobile broadband or home wireless internet? Which one is best for you?

Mobile broadband and home wireless tap into the same technology: both of them transfer data using existing mobile data networks. The big difference between them is that mobile broadband devices tend to be highly portable, meaning you can take them just about anywhere.

Home wireless internet usually relies upon heavier modems that need an external power source and thus aren’t very portable. In return, home wireless plans tend to have higher data limits and more consistent connections.

While they both use the same type of technology to function, the one that suits you best really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your Internet connection. If you need a highly portable solution so you can work out of the office or stream content on the go, you’ll probably be better off with a mobile internet plan. Keep in mind that most mobile internet plans won’t offer anything higher than 100GB so you may need to think twice if you’re planning to use it in a heavy capacity. Home wireless broadband, however, is more of an in-home solution. Because its modem is bulkier than mobile broadband modems, it’s best if you use home wireless internet in a single location, rather than moving it around throughout the day.