There’s no doubt that having access to the Internet is a crucial utility for many which is why understanding broadband for students is important.
When moving into your private student accommodation it’s key to organise a broadband connection in time to ensure your broadband is set up before your studies start.
You should be aware that the installation of broadband is not always the quickest of services to book and students will need to organise this in time for their moving in date.
The ability for the student tenants to conduct online research is also non-negotiable for Facebook and Insta.
Also, tutors and universities communicate via email and will leave important posts and updates on their websites and tutors may insist on receiving assessments online.
This is without considering the importance of the internet to remain in touch with friends and family.
Best value student broadband deals
However, finding the best value student broadband deals that offer high-performance at a good price is not as straightforward as it seems.
The simplest solution will be to speak with Glide who have student broadband packages that are tailored to meet the needs of today’s students at a price they will enjoy.
In addition, broadband can be incorporated with the other utility provisions such as gas and electricity and the bill delivered monthly for all of them.
However, for the students who are looking to choose their own broadband packages, then it’s time to consider what makes a great student broadband deal.
Firstly, a major factor for any student purchasing broadband is the price.
It should be taken into consideration that while there are lots of cheap deals available you will get, in most cases, what you pay for.
The best student broadband deals
This means that the best student broadband deals are not necessarily the ones that offer the cheapest monthly cost.
The next most important issue is that of contract length.
A quick check of various student broadband comparison websites will reveal that many contracts run for 12 months or even 18 months which is not much use if you are living in your student accommodation for nine months.
This means you will still need to pay for the three months that you will not be in the property. That is not a good student broadband deal.
There are also no contract and short contract broadband deals available; some will offer broadband on a one-month rolling basis.
The next most important issue to consider is that of download allowance.
Make savings on their internet connection
This is probably the part where students may believe they can make savings on their internet connection but will end up with a slow connection and a capped data allowance which isn’t much good if you need to file a crucial assignment the day after the internet provider blocks access.
So, students will need to appreciate how much they will be using their broadband; if they’re just checking emails and Facebook then there won’t be much data needed.
However, if you’re looking to play online games and watch films then you will need a good data allowance to enable this to happen.
Some broadband providers will also offer lucrative extras such as a free iPad and while this may prove useful you will need to calculate carefully the deal with and without these free offerings.
Finding the right student broadband deal for you
Essentially, once you decide what sort of broadband users you are likely to be, then finding the right student broadband deal for you is made much easier but you must consider:
- Price
- Contract length
- Data allowances
Perhaps the most important consideration if you are looking at broadband for students is that the offerings are tailored to multi-occupancy households.
It therefore makes sense to opt for a package with unlimited download allowances and find an offering that runs for nine months rather than 12 or 18 months.
It may be possible to select a student broadband deal that has a fibre-optic connection which will deliver superfast connection speeds and reduce the potential for interference or delays.
Unfortunately, not every city in the UK offers fibre-optic connections but where they do it is worth considering.
Another important issue is that the broadband provider should send a wireless router to enable you and your housemates to use the Internet connection whenever you want to.
While it hasn’t been mentioned yet, some broadband providers will insist on a fixed telephone line being installed and they may also offer a TV package along with it.
The TV package may be attractive for those who enjoy sport or love movies but otherwise it may be an additional cost you and your housemates can live without.
Adding broadband to your utility bill UK
Finally, while your life as a student means living on a tight budget and adding broadband to your utility bill UK will need to be considered, we’ve mentioned previously that cheap broadband deals are not necessarily the best way to save money and this will become apparent if there’s more than one heavy Internet user living in your house.
Again, research is key to ensure you get the right student broadband deal for you and your needs but this means learning the terminology and understanding what the data allowances and broadband connection speeds actually mean.
To put these monthly usage limits into perspective, if you live in a student house with two people then you may find that a monthly allowance of between 10 GB and 20 GB should be enough.
For those houses with more occupants, particularly if they are streaming movies and music means the unlimited packages should be your default choice.
One of the big attractions for having broadband is that many providers offer inclusive calls which means you can make free telephone calls to mum and dad on a UK landline, though these usually offered at the weekend.
However for small charge you could add weekday and evening calls to the package as well.
Again, as a student on a budget, this may not be as enticing as it appears particularly if you have a mobile phone as well.
For more help and advice when it comes to understanding broadband for students and to access great broadband packages that can be paid for monthly, then speak with the friendly team at Glide.