Unlimited Broadband

What is unlimited broadband?

Unlimited broadband means just that – there is no limit to the amount of data you can use online. This means you can browse the internet, download files, and stream content as much as you want. You will pay the same amount each month for your unlimited connection, whether you are online constantly or not at all.

Luckily, the vast majority of internet packages these days are unlimited, including some of the cheapest broadband deals on the market. Almost all internet service providers now offer unlimited downloads with their standard packages.

Do I need unlimited broadband?

As we said before, even some of the cheapest packages are ‘unlimited’, so it makes sense to go for one of these packages over the increasingly rare deals that do impose data limts. And if you use the internet for anything more than sending a few emails and checking Facebook, you will almost definitely need unlimited data.

Generally, most people can be categorised into three types of internet user:

• Light User: Uses the internet for just the most basic tasks i.e. writing emails, online shopping, or banking etc.
• Medium User: Uses the internet regularly to check social media and sometimes streams videos and music.
• Heavy User: Uses the internet regularly to stream videos, play online games or download/upload large files.

If you’re a medium or heavy user of the internet, you will almost definitely need a high-speed, unlimited connection. However, even light users could benefit from unlimited broadband. This is because the difference in price nowadays is often negligible, but if you exceed your data limit you could be hit with excessive charges. It is just not worth it.

If you think you’re a light user but you live in a household with other internet users, you too should consider an unlimited connection.

How much does unlimited broadband cost?

The cheapest unlimited broadband offers start at around £18 per month, but you could pay considerably more depending on the provider and what type of package you get.

Slower, ADSL broadband, which offers speeds of up to 30Mbps, will be cheaper than faster, fibre optic broadband which can go up to 1Gbps. As a rule of thumb, the faster your download speeds then the higher the price.

Many providers offer broadband and TV bundles, but adding extra services will usually result in a higher price. If you are an avid sports fan or you watch a lot of broadcast TV, a bundle may be worth it. But if you prefer to watch most of your content online, for example on Netflix or Amazon Prime, you should just pay for what you need.

Where can I get unlimited broadband?

Almost all broadband providers in the UK now offer unlimited broadband as standard. These include:

• BT
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• TalkTalk
• Vodafone
• NOW Broadband
• Plusnet
• Post Office

When you compare broadband deals, you should be aware that not all ‘unlimited’ packages are truly unlimited. Some of these connections will come with usage caps, which means you may find your download speeds reduced at certain times of the day if you use the internet excessively. This is because your provider is attempting to manage the increased traffic so that all customers get a consistent and reliable service. Therefore, these downtimes will usually occur at peak times (i.e. in the evening).

However, unlimited broadband packages from the major providers including BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk are almost all truly unlimited.

Last reviewed: 10 September 2021

Next review: 10 October 2021