• The cost of calls
• Understanding your broadband and phone package

Choosing a bundle deal of broadband and phone can really save you money, and using one provider for both will make things much easier for you... You don’t have to shy away from the idea of a home phone and broadband package; they are a simple, cost-effective way to organise utilities, like internet and calls, into a manageable and affordable monthly cost. You don’t need to worry about a compromise on service quality, phone tariff or broadband speed; the bundle deals are simply an incentive to use one provider, and the real beneficiary is you. A key advantage of the broadband and phone bundle deal is the cost, and this is what makes it so popular; if you can get a high quality home phone service with your broadband then it makes sense to choose the cheapest option. The providers that offer broadband and phone package deals are all reputable, respected, tried and tested, so you don’t need to worry about the level of quality.  You are free to examine the cheapest options, but price isn’t everything...

Whilst you can be sure to expect a quality service, many people are mainly concerned with the speed and reliability of their broadband connection. If you will be downloading massive amounts of data (which includes streaming videos and music) then a faster connection will suit you, so be sure to look out for a bundle deal with quick broadband. If you are a more casual web browser, checking sport, weather and other quickies, then a slower speed will suit you fine, and you may even save money simply by opting for something that isn’t the absolute top-end broadband available. It is also worth noting that the advertised speeds are not always achievable; if you are in an area that can only reach broadband download speeds of 8Mbps, then choosing a 50Mbps package over 25Mbps would prove futile.

It’s important to remember that the advertised price of a bundle deal may not include line rental, which can add upwards of £10 to the total cost. Make sure you check the cost of line rental when you are attracted by the price of a deal. Every provider tends to draw attention to the bundle cost, whilst reminding you of the line rental during the checkout process. This is a standard marketing technique and should not put you off in any way; you can still enjoy a great saving, just remember to consider the total cost with line rental before deciding on a deal.

The cost of calls

If you want a deal that will work out cost-effective, make sure you consider your own home phone usage and the potential tariff of a deal. Call charges, beyond your given allowance, can be a gold mine for providers, but they will offer you generous call packages, with plenty of variation to reflect differing customer needs. If you think you will use your home phone a lot then a slightly more expensive package which has lower call charges may work out more cost-effective for you.  It’s no good having free evening and weekend calls if you only use your phone in the day.

Understanding your broadband and phone package

Once you have chosen your broadband and phone package, you should be clear about the various aspects of the deal. Different providers may have different rules regarding the finer details of their offer, so it’s worth checking the details. You will hear the terms ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’, which apply to the busiest and quietest times respectively, and this will be relevant to your phone deal, allowance and tariff.  Each provider can vary; BT and TalkTalk consider peak times to be between 7am and 7pm, whereas Virgin Media opts for 6am to 6pm.  To be sure, check with your provider. Many providers will offer unlimited anytime calls to landlines, mobiles or both as part of the phone package; this is a generous allowance that acts as a strong incentive to choose that provider’s deal.  You will also find regular mention of unlimited evening and weekend calls, which is popular with many customers, but whether this applies to more than just UK landlines will vary between packages. Your broadband may include a download limit, so it’s worthwhile checking this in case you need something unlimited. If you are going to be constantly downloading then unlimited download may be best, although fair use policy will still apply.  Deals with a download limit are often cheaper, or compensate with a generous alternative allowance or a useful extra.  Be realistic about your internet usage in order to find the deal that will genuinely provide value for money. Last, but not least, consider the contract length.  You will be bound by the contract, and cancellation may prove tricky without a charge.  You will often be rewarded for longer commitment, so if contract length doesn’t matter to you then an 18 month deal could prove the best for value.