Broadband bundles – Are they worth it?

Many households across the UK already pay for and use broadband, phone, mobile and TV services. If you have broadband along with another or all of these services and are paying for them separately, you could be paying more than you need. Broadband bundles allow you to to combine these services together with a single provider and could potentially save you loads on your monthly bill.

But do broadband bundles always make sense?

Why should I bundle my broadband?

Combining your broadband with other telecommunications services into a single package with one provider is a convenient way of bringing everything together into a single, easy-to-understand contract.

Rather than receiving separate bills for these services each month, you'll instead receive just one. Bundling can also often work out cheaper than paying for each service individually.

What types of broadband bundle can I choose from?

When looking at bundling your services, you'll typically be able to choose between the following:-

Phone and Broadband- Where both your broadband and landline services are combined.

TV and Broadband:- A bundle combining digital TV with your broadband.

Broadband, TV, and phone:- Where all three services are grouped together.

Broadband, TV, Phone, and Mobile:- Often referred to as 'quad play', this is where your mobile phone, landline, digital TV, and broadband are all rolled into a single package.

What are the advantages of bundling my broadband?

Combining your broadband, TV and landline together can offer a range of benefits:-

Saving money

Most broadband providers that offer additional telecommunications services like TV and landline will offer a discount if you decide to bundle.

Convenient

Bundling your services together with one provide means that instead of receiving two, three, or even four separate bills, you'll receive just one.

Incentives

Some providers offer free gifts or cashback as incentives for bundling your broadband.

What are the disadvantages of bundling my broadband?

Although combining your telecommunications services can offer a number of advantages, there are downsides to consider, too.

Getting services you don't use and paying more as a result

In some cases, a broadband bundle can work out to be more expensive, especially if you've signed-up for additional services you won't take full advantage of.

Whether or not you can save money with a bundle will ultimately depend on your individual requirements such as the services you use and how often.

Is it easy to switch my separate services to a combined bundle?

If you're out of contract for the separate services you want to bundle together, the process should be straightforward. In most cases, your new provider will arrange switching everything for you. This includes things like cancelling your existing services and porting your existing landline or mobile number over from your current provider.

However, if you're switching your broadband from a provider that operates on the Openreach network to one that doesn't - for example, Virgin Media, CommunityFibre, or Hyperoptic Broadband - you'll need to cancel your services with your existing provider yourself before you can switch to a new deal.

Which broadband providers offer bundles?

Many providers give the option to bundle your broadband with one, or numerous other telecommunications services. Our directory of providers sets out what services each one offers.

Is a broadband bundle right for me?

In essence, you'll need to do some calculations before deciding whether a broadband bundle is right for you. You'll first need to consider which services you need.

For example, if you have a landline but rarely use it, perhaps just a broadband with TV bundle would be optimal. Conversely, if you use your phone frequently and also tune into a lot of TV, maybe combining these together with your broadband would suit you best.

It's also important to choose a bundle that meets your requirements for each service. For example, you may want to bundle your broadband with digital TV, but it's important to pay attention to the channels you're getting included. You might end up on a deal with more channels than you need. Not only will this increase the overall cost of your package, but if you aren't taking full advantage of these channels, you're essentially paying for a service you don't use.

If you don't think you'll use all the channels that come with digital TV, paying separately for streaming apps such as Netflix and NOW TV can sometimes be more cost effective.

What other things should I consider?

When considering a broadband bundle, there are some things to consider:-

Cost

Your monthly broadband cost will vary depending on factors such as speed and availability. In addition to monthly fees, providers also often charge a one-off fee for set-up and installation. Sometimes, however, providers will offer deals with these fees waived, so you have no fees to pay upfront.

Finally, the price of packages may rise once your initial contract deal ends, so keep a look out for this when making your choice.

Broadband speeds

Aside from cost, speed is the next most important factor when considering what type of broadband package to opt for. The broadband speed you need will be dependent on what you'll be using the internet for and how many people will be accessing the network.

For example, if you live in a household that uses multiple devices (5+) and take part in online gaming or streaming 4K content, then a fibre broadband connection over 60Mbps is optimal.

Conversely, if you choose a plan with speeds that are faster than what you need, you may end up paying more than you need to.

Contract length

Broadband bundles are generally available for either 12, 18, or 24 months. Many providers tend to offer more savings the longer contract you choose, but you'll need to ensure you're happy to stay contracted for that length of time. If you cancel prior to the end of your contract, you may incur expensive Early Termination Charges (ERCs) as a result.

Availability

The type of broadband available to you is dictated by where you live. If you live in a more centralised, urban area, you'll likely have a wider range of options than if you're looking for broadband in a rural area.

Our site allows you to check broadband availability at your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I bundle a landline with broadband?

Increased reliance on mobiles and other portable devices, has meant that the services the humble home phone provides is now often overlooked. But landlines maintain a relevant and important function, especially if you want to get online.

Standard broadband - also known as ADSL - is delivered to your home via copper cables from existing phone lines. And it's not just ADSL that requires an active phone line to work. The UK's most common type of broadband, 'Fibre to the Cabinet' (FTTC), also relies on copper telephone wires to deliver part of your broadband connection; from the green cabinet on the street to your home.

The only type of broadband that doesn't require copper telephone cables is 'Fibre to the Premises' (FTTP) or 'full fibre' broadband. Full fibre is the fastest and most reliable type of broadband available. The downside, however, is that full fibre is often more expensive, and not yet widely available in the UK.

If you opt for either broadband with an ADSL or FTTC connection, it is up to you if you want basic line rental or whether you'd like to use that phone line for calls. If you do decide to use your landline to make calls, you may get better value for money on a broadband and phone package. You may also find it is cheaper than a broadband-only deal.

What things should I look for when choosing a home phone deal?

Here's some things to look for when choosing a home phone service:-

Call charges

Always check the call rates on any phone package. Providers may offer phone deals at a discounted price, but charge a premium to make calls.

Unlimited calls/Monthly minutes

If you use your home phone a lot, it's a good idea to opt for a package that offers unlimited calls. In place of unlimited calls, some providers will instead offer hundreds of minutes to use every month.

Call packs

When looking at home phone services, you'll usually be presented with the option to bolt-on certain features such as minutes for international phone calls, calls to UK mobiles and unlimited calls for evenings and weekends. Make sure to choose a call pack that will benefit your intended usage.

If I decide to switch providers, can I keep my home phone number?

Yes, you can keep your existing landline telephone number when you switch. This is known as number ‘porting’. Simply let your new provider know before you switch and they'll take care of the rest.