Reducing Broadband Costs

Broadband

Broadband has now become an essential item for most people. Whether you're working from home, staying in touch with friends and family on social media or Zoom or keeping up to date with your finances using online banking, you can save money by making sure you're getting the best deal for a broadband package that suits your needs. 

Depending on how you use your broadband, you could also benefit from switching to a different package. You might only use your broadband for light browsing so download limits aren't that important. Or your whole family could be connected at once, streaming, downloading and online gaming so a superfast fibre package with unlimited downloads would be a better fit. 

What Broadband Speed Do I Need?

It's always worth checking if you're getting the speeds promised by your current broadband provider. A broadband speed test can tell you if you're getting the speeds quoted by your provider. The site below lets you check the current speed of your connection:

What Broadband Speed Do I Need? - Which?

Broadband Speed Checker

Check what broadband speed you're currently getting by using the Broadband Speed Checker from Which? (opens new window).

Find out what you can expect from your broadband provider and what your broadband consumer rights are (opens new window).

Getting the best deal for you

Now you know what kind of package you need, make sure you're getting the best deal by using a comparison website: 

• Uswitch - searches all broadband providers with some deals exclusive to Uswitch. Ability to tailor your search to include phone and television packages which can offer good savings rather than separate services
• Compare - compares fibre providers only but includes smaller, local providers as well as the ability to tailor your search to prioritise what's important to you

Cheaper Broadband and Phone - Social Tariffs

If you're on certain types of benefits, you might be eligible for social tariffs that cost less for broadband and home phone. Find out more at Ofcom. For social tariff availability in Sunderland, visit Discounted Broadband.

CityFibre

Sunderland is to benefit from an investment of £62m as part of CityFibre's plans to help replace the UK's legacy copper networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity. If residents are interested in full fibre broadband, they can pre-register their interest with CityFibre to receive information when services are available. 

Find out more about Sunderland's Smart City vision.