Slow down
One way to save money is to pay only for the speed you need. A speed of 100Mbps is likely to be enough for most households, although it depends on the number of people who will use the internet at the same time, the kinds of devices you use, whether or not you play online games and the services that you require.
For instance, HD programmes from BBC's iPlayer stream at up to 5Mbps while Netflix needs at least 15Mbps for its highest-quality 4K streams. Bear in mind that any devices such as computers running updates or security cameras will take up some of the bandwidth, so add a little headroom on to your calculations.
Watch out for slow upload speeds, as many cheaper packages can be hamstrung by these, and they are often overlooked when comparing deals. Zoom calls, for instance, require up to 4Mbps upload for full quality while Ring cameras need up to 2Mbps each.
Try your current providerMany providers raise the price of your service when your contract ends, so this is where haggling can pay off.
"Some providers have a reputation for being more willing to haggle to keep your business, but this can vary depending on your length of contract, previous service issues, what you want from your next deal and other factors," says Max Beckett from the comparison site Uswitch. "Your bargaining position will be stronger near the end of your contract as you can leave for another provider."
Use price comparison sites to see what other deals are available and then ring or chat with your provider. Tell it you are looking for better value on your current service, say that the price it is asking is simply too much and ask what is the best deal it can offer.
Dit verhaal komt uit de March 01, 2025 editie van The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Al abonnee ? Inloggen
Dit verhaal komt uit de March 01, 2025 editie van The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Al abonnee? Inloggen
McIlroy insists he will walk away from golf before he is 50
As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory Mcllroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s.
Driouech's deft chip earns PSV draw but Arsenal march on
On a night when Arsenal ended the game with four left-backs on the pitch, this may not have been the biggest stage of Raheem Sterling's illustrious career.
'Our aspiration is to win the tournament...that's not changed'
Luke Cowan-Dickie back in for Jamie George at hooker; Ben Curry returns at flanker, Ben Earl shifts to No 8 and Tom Willis is on the bench.
Formula One 'I'm a competitive guy, I like to be good at everything I do'
Ollie Bearman has a full-time drive in F1 with Haas at the age of 19 but has made plenty of sacrifices to get there
City watchdog drops 'name and shame' for firms under scrutiny
The UK's financial watchdog has bowed to pressure and ditched a plan to frequently \"name and shame\" companies it is investigating.
Poor results at Puma and Zara owner amid fears demand in US is slowing
Unexpectedly poor results from the sports brand Puma and the fashion group Inditex, which owns Zara, have fuelled fears about slowing consumer appetite in the US amid uncertainty over Donald Trump's tariffs.
Regulators Say They Will Not Impose New Diversity Regulations on Financial Sector
The City's top two regulators have said they will not bring in new diversity and inclusion rules for financial firms because they want to avoid imposing extra \"regulatory burdens\" and costs, in the latest sign of a retreat from efforts to help underrepresented groups.
UK's Housing Market Slows as Stamp Duty Deadline Looms
Momentum in the UK housing market slowed last month as confidence was dampened by a looming stamp duty deadline and concerns over stubbornly high interest rates and the world economic picture.
President of Ecuador allies with US mercenary for 'war on crime'
Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, has announced a \"strategic alliance\" with the Donald Trump-supporting founder of the private military firm Blackwater, supposedly to reinforce his controversial \"war\" on crime.
I feel utter anger Move to boycott US spreads far
\"I feel utter anger. I cannot go on with this feeling inside. I cannot just go and play a tour of beautiful concerts,\" he said, descri# his horror at the authoritarian policies of Donald Trump.
