How to choose the best broadband deal – and increase your wifi speed

So, when the worst happens and you find yourself battling slow internet speeds or a dodgy connection, you might want to check your broadband speed, or look at switching to a new provider.

Many providers will help you change over to them, and even give you an incentive to switch. Here’s the expert view on how to choose the best broadband deal, and increase your wifi speed.

The best deals to switch broadband provider

BT broadband deals

BT is currently offering free broadband for three months on its website, with help to switch from other providers. This is full Fibre 300 for £36.99 a month, on a 24-month contract (with increases that’ll be £39.99 from March 31 2026 and £42.99 from March 31 2027).

There are also a variety of other BT Broadband deals, which may suit individual customers better.

Sky broadband deals

Sky’s offerings vary depending on what consumers are looking to switch. Customers switching to either Sky Broadband or Sky TV can be credited up to £100, while those switching to both broadband and TV can receive up to £200.

Vodafone

Vodafone has been offering a credit incentive with varying amounts depending on which Vodafone service customers are moving to. They will cover early termination charges from a customer’s previous broadband provider, up to a maximum of £100.

How to choose the right broadband package

The most expensive package isn’t always the best one – it pays to check the small print and shop around.

Geoff Pestell, founder of the broadband comparison site Fibre Compare says: “There is often a misconception when it comes to broadband that if you pay for the most expensive package, you will have a better connection.

“However, just because you pay more doesn’t mean your internet connection will instantly be faster. While higher-priced packages may in some instances offer faster internet speeds and additional features, your internet speed and quality of connection are not necessarily tied to the price you pay.”

Here are Geoff’s tips for the best deals:

Some broadband providers offer high-quality speeds at cost-effective prices, so spending more doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better connection.
Location and coverage play a big role in connection quality. If your area lacks full fibre coverage, even expensive packages may not deliver the expected speeds.
Broadband can be bundled with additional services such as TV and landlines, which can be convenient but often come at a higher price and don’t always result in better connection quality.

What speed of broadband do I need?

According to the BT website, here’s a basic guide to the speed needed for different users.

Around 10Mb: 10Mb is often enough for light internet usage, suitable for around 1-2 people that are just browsing the web or using social media. This speed is often cheaper than other higher speeds because of its limitations with coping with things like gaming or streaming.
Around 30-60Mb: This speed range is much better for more users, higher usage and multiple devices. But in larger households where gaming and streaming are used more often, the internet may still need higher speeds.
60Mb+: These sorts of speeds will generally handle anything, including gaming, streaming and more. Large households of 4+ people will easily cope the higher the speed the quicker and better the experience.

How to improve your broadband speed

Think about these simple fixes. Where you place your router, the model of your router, and even specific zones within your house can all contribute to poor connection.

Think about positioning your router in a raised central area within your home, away from electrical devices.
Upgrade your router model
Try a mesh network
Reduce the number of devices connected to your network. If multiple people are all trying to download large files or stream in ultra HD at the same time, it’s going to slow things down because a large amount of bandwidth is being used.
Consider whether recent building work, such as thicker walls, is impacting your speed.