Finding the right broadband is tough for anyone, but for students weighing up the options can become a nightmare. Short tenancy lengths, multiple heavy users and tight household budgets mean many popular options won’t be suitable. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to the UK’s best broadband for students to help make the choice easier.
Who has the best broadband for students?
Virgin Media
Virgin Media are one of the UK’s most popular broadband providers, particularly with students, and it’s easy to see why. Virgin have a range of internet packages available exclusively to those with an ac.uk email address. Students can opt for a 12-month contract, instead of Virgin Media’s usual 18 months, and get special discounted pricing.
18 months of Virgin Media’s 108 Mbps broadband and phone package currently costs £26 a month, but students can get the same speed for £25 a month in a 12-month contract. There are bigger savings at higher speeds, with students paying £35 a month for 362 Mbps broadband versus the normal price of £38 a month.
All of Virgin Media’s network is completely fibre-optic, rather than the more common ‘half-fibre’ used by most suppliers. That means you’ll have some of the best internet speeds in the UK available to you right away, with no copper phone lines slowing down your connection.
Hyperoptic
Hyperoptic is a small-ish, independent broadband company – they’re aiming to be installed in 1.25 million homes by the end of 2022. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of those homes, Hyperoptic is a great option for student broadband. Like Virgin Media, Hyperoptic offers 12-month contracts, perfect for those on annual rolling housing contracts like students. You can also opt for a 24-month contract for a cheaper monthly payment, or if your contract is shorter than a year monthly rolling contracts are available.
Now Broadband
If broadband that works at the best possible price is your top priority, Now Broadband are a great option. Now use the Openreach network which means they’re available across more than 99% of the UK. They also offer Superfast fibre at an average download speed of 63 Mbps for £22 a month in a 12-month contract. If you’re looking for something even more short-term, Now will let you pay the same monthly price for a rolling month-to-month contract – you’ll just have to pay £65 as an upfront set-up fee.
Of course, this low price tag comes with some limitations. Now Broadband uses more basic routers than some competitors and doesn’t have any options for Ultrafast or Full Fibre broadband.
Mobile Broadband
As the UK’s 4G and 5G coverages improve, mobile broadband is providing more and more people with Ultrafast internet where none others are available. A mobile router uses the same SIM card technology as your mobile to create a wi-fi network that can cover your whole home, and that you can bring anywhere you want.
Mobile broadband offers flexibility and an instant set up which makes it perfect for students, especially if you’ve moved into accommodation where the included internet isn’t up to scratch. You can order a mobile router directly from Please Connect Me, with contracts starting from 30 days and no credit check – plus all our packages come with unlimited data.
