Free broadband explained

You can get broadband free as part of a wider package whether part of a TV package (e.g. Sky and Virgin Media), a phone and broadband bundle deal (companies like Tiscali, BT, AOL and PlusNet offer this), a mobile phone network package (e.g. Orange) or a home-phone service (e.g. TalkTalk gives you free broadband if you buy their home-phone service).

Free broadband? Really?

Talk Talk spearheaded the free broadband movement with their "Talk 2 & 3 International" packages combining free broadband with competitive land line deals. With a name like "Free Broadband" it will come as no surprise that a good deal of scepticism exists among many consumer groups and industry experts.

The hook is that "Free Broadband" is only free when you sign up for other services such as home phone or TV. Despite this scepticism, free broadband continues to be extremely popular with those who would otherwise be paying seperate bills for their broadband, home phone and TV.

Who is free broadband for?

• Home phone users - it makes sense to combine your home phone and broadband bills into one, especially if you want to get free evening, weekend and international calls included.
• Digital TV customers - if you are interested in taking on a TV package and also need a broadband connection - it may be worth your while bundling the two together and getting free broadband.
• If you just want to pay for a good mobile phone contract, good TV or a good home phone service, then you should look out for bundles that give free (or discounted) broadband alongside these services.

Want to compare free broadband?

We list a range of ‘free’ broadband services above allowing you to compare the differences and work out which may be the best option for you. Alternatively, for an array of free or paid-for broadband services, you can compare broadband packages incorporating free broadband on our main broadband comparison page – you may also want to check your availability on our postcode checker.