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Compare standard broadband deals for March 2024.
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Standard Broadband – is right for me?

Traditional standard broadband is ideal if you are a casual user shopping online, checking emails and browsing social media. Speeds of up to 17mbps can be achieved with standard home broadband services, which is more than capable of meeting the demands of the lite internet user. Despite the growth in demand for fibre broadband – the slower cheaper services still prove popular with many.

If you are undecided on what type of broadband to go for, below is a chart which demonstrates the differences between the two main types of broadband, standard and fibre. The chart shows the fastest speeds available for standard broadband, compared to the slowest fibre broadband available. This is so you can decide whether to take the leap to the next level. The chart also shows the time it takes to download various file types:

File Type V’s Speeds: 17mb – Fastest Standard Broadband 38mb – Slowest Fibre Broadband
MP3 (5mb) 2.5 secs 1 sec
YouTube clip (50mb) 26 secs 10 secs
TV Show (450mb) 3 m 56 secs 1 m 39 secs
DVD (4.5GB) 37 m 30 secs 17 m 2 secs
DVD BluRay (10GB) 1 hr 29 m 37 m 41 secs
*Abbreviations: mb = megabytes | gb = gigabytes | hrs = hours | m = minutes| secs = Seconds | Compare Fibre broadband speeds

What deals are available for standard 17mb broadband?

There are many deals to choose from on the UK market. Regular incentives from providers include voucher and discount set-up offers. Many include a free WIFI router and may even throw in free off-peak calls. You can make a start by comparing current deals above.

How long is the typical contract length for standard broadband?

A 12 month contract is normal for standard broadband. 18 month or more is excessive, unless this lowers the monthly cost significantly. Some providers now offer a 1 month rolling contract, but you can expect to pay more upfront and monthly for the luxury.

What does ‘up to’ refer to?

The term ‘up to‘ stated in our comparison results, refers to the fact that you may not receive the maximum speed shown. This is because your broadband speed (over a fixed phone line), depends on the distance between your home and your telephone exchange. The further away you are, the slower the speed available. Fibre broadband from Virgin Media is different. As they have their own fibre-optic cable network, which brings the cable right to your door. Check Virgin Media’s deals on our site, then check availability in your area with them.

Do I also need to pay for a phone line for standard broadband?

No, recently OFCOM introduced guidelines which all providers have to adhere to. These guidelines state that, if a broadband service is dependent on paying line rental – the line rental price should be included with broadband costs to avoid confusion. Meaning that the monthly price you see in our comparison results, is all you pay each month.

What is the meaning of ‘traffic management’?

The term ‘traffic management‘ refers to some broadband services. These services are slowed at peak times if the load on the network is high. This allows the provider to ensure that all customers receive a reasonable speed. Similarly, the term ‘truly unlimited‘ means that the service in-question does not operate a traffic manged network. Reflecting the fact that the provider is confident that services are not impacted by busier times of the day.

Set-up costs

Set-up costs can vary for standard broadband. You may well find a promotion that gives you a free set-up, installation and activation. A one-off router delivery charge of around £9.95 is standard practice.

To Conclude

Traditional ADSL broadband (referred to as ‘standard broadband’), may be seem like a service from a different age and in some respects it is! When it comes to the speeds that can be achieved with cable/fibre broadband, then there is no comparison. However, for those of us who simply do not need super-fast speeds – then opting for a slower service can prove cost effective. Providers still offer pretty good incentives, with regular voucher and discount offers on the market. But it’s important to remember that the price gap between ‘standard and fibre’ is closing all the time. The bottom line is – just how fast do you need your broadband?

Standard Broadband – Pros and Cons

Standard Broadband?
Pros
More affordable than Fibre
Lots of choice & incentives available
Ideal for the casual user
Cons
Price difference between standard & fibre closing
Not suitable for moderate to heavy internet users
May be cheaper to get a package with TV & calls