No Contract Broadband - December 2008

If you don't want to be fixed into long term broadband contracts then this is the page for you! Below I've listed all the providers that I know that offer broadband with no contact, or at least a very short contract period!

A contract period of between 12 and 18 months is very common within the broadband industry. The advantage of a contract for the providers is that it locks you into using their service for a set, contractual period of time. This stops people switching their providers each month or just taking advantage of short discounts. For you, the consumer being in a contract has benefits as well. As the provider knows that you will be a customer for at least the next 12/18 months they can offer competitive prices and sometimes even free installation fees or no set up charge. Companies can also offer promotions like free anti virus and free wireless routers because they know they can make the cost back over the course of the contract.

AOL

AOL's Wireless Flexi broadband is the only deal that I know of that offers truley, no contract broadband. Their slogan "Broadband you can cancel at anytime(not that you'll want to)" pretty much sums it up! The first three months are £4.99 and £14.99 after that. This gives you an 8mbps download speed with a 10GB usage allowance which is more than ample for most people. They also supply you with a wireless router worth £50. Unlike their contracted broadband there is a connection fee of £29.99.

Below I've worked out how their Flexi plan with no contract compares price with their 18 month standard contract.

As you can see, overal the saving with the 18 month contract is around 2 months extra broadband. If you are sure you want to have AOL broadband for 18 months you may as well save the money, however if you're not sure how long you'll want broadband for the actual difference isn't that much so it may very well work out to use their Flexi plan. I've highlighted on the table when the two prices meet so you can see where the benefit lies.

Visit the AOL web site here

Plusnet

Plusnet offer a one month contract period on all of their plans, other than with the Essential bundle. The essential bundle is when you get your home phone and broadband through PLusnet. If you have your home phone with them you do get a discounted rate on the broadbrand. All of their plans come with 8mb download speeds and you're only limited on the data transfer. Their cheapest plan starts at £9.99 which offers 2GBs of data allowance. This package doesn't come with a wireless router but you still get a free, 1 port router which is fine for most people however this is only free if you stay for the full 12 months. Their 1 post basic router & their wireless router would cost £29.99 if you left sooner.

Plusnets other plans start at £9.75 for 2GB usage allowance and a wireless router. The wireless router is free, however if you leave before 12 months you are required to pay for it. The costs of their cheapest wireless router is £19.99 and their 4 port wireless router is £29.99 - which is good value.

Visit the Plustnet web site here

Direct Save Telecom

Direct Save Telecom or DST offers an 8mb home broadband package which comes with free UK calls for £16.95. Direct Save Telecom offers unlimited data transfer during off peak periods and a 20Gb policy during peak periods. This plan has only a 28 day agreement.

Visit the DST web site here

David Macfarlane, Internet Consultant, Future in Sites Ltd.