Student Broadband
A number of internet service providers have launched products and services which are specifically targeted at students, and other groups of young adults living in temporary accommodation. Due to the fact that the majority of students studying far away from home may only be living at one address for part of a year, and may not be living in the same house next year, paying for a 12 month broadband contract doesn't make sense if you are not going to be able to make use of the service all of the time. As a result, broadband providers offering single month and 3 month contracts have become increasingly popular with students all across the UK.
| Provider | Package | Speed | Cap/Limit | Contract Length | Monthly Cost | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plusnet Broadband | Value Broadband with Evening & Weekend Calls | 16 | 10 | Free | £6.49 | 0800 368 0080 | ||||
| Plusnet Broadband | Value Broadband with Anytime Calls | 16 | 10 | Free | £9.99 | 0800 368 0080 | ||||
| TalkTalk Broadband | TalkTalk Plus | 14 | Unlimited | Free | £14.5 | 0800 049 7863 | ||||
| TalkTalk Broadband | TalkTalk Essentials | 14 | 40 | Free | £6.5 | 0800 049 7863 | ||||
| Plusnet Broadband | Value Broadband | 16 | 10 | £25 | £6.49 | 0800 368 0080 |
Student Broadband Explained
Part of the Sophomore year typically involves you getting your first shared accommodation with friends you made in halls and on your course in the first year. As broadband access is becoming as important a commodity as more traditional household utilities such as heating, water and electricity, you'll want to be able to get the best deal available, so you can save your loan money for other student essentials such as food, books, trips to out of town lectures and museums, clothes from charity shops, rare seven inches, and the odd pint or two (or twelve) at the union bar.
One thing you'll want to avoid is getting into a lengthy broadband contract unless you're planning on staying in your adopted town for the third year, as there's no point in you getting signed up for a year's worth of broadband access if you're planning on going home for the summer, and essentially paying for 3 or 4 months of a service you're not getting your money's worth out of. You don't paying for electricity and water if you don't use it, so why should you pay for broadband?
If you're a student and you're search for broadband services, one thing you'll want to look out for is a provider which allows you to sign up for broadband for a month or three months at a time - this gives you the flexibility you'll want, and crucially means you'll be able to get the best value for money at a time when you'll be wanting to save every penny you've got in order to support yourself through your studies.
Even if you have to pay for a connection, or a wireless router, as is the case with some providers if you don't sign on for more than 12 months, then you'll still end up saving money for the months you won't be living at the same address.























