| Don't slip up on your new contract | | | | and could opt for a cheaper alternative. |
| • If you're choosing a cheap or "free" | | | | If you are experiencing problems and want to switch |
| broadband deal, take into account the quality of | | | | your |
| service you will be getting. Best value doesn't always | | | | • broadband provider but are having trouble |
| mean cheapest. So, when you are trying to find | | | | doing so, make sure that you keep a log of all |
| cheap broadband provider, look beyond the price and | | | | communications you have with your ISP and write to |
| get a package that really suits you. Consider the | | | | Otelo (the telecommunications ombudsman) once you |
| customer service level, cost and opening hours of | | | | have exhausted the complaints procedure offered by |
| the call centre before making your choice. | | | | your provider. |
| • Check to see if the ISP has won any | | | | • Many ISPs also offer free add-ons such as |
| awards from the ISPA or PC magazines. | | | | anti virus software, parental controls and spam |
| • Your new contract may also have a | | | | guards which can be worth more than £40. |
| download limit, which may mean you end up paying | | | | Making the Broadband Switch |
| more than your monthly rate for big downloads. | | | | • If you're choosing a cheap broadband deal, |
| Remember unlimited is not a reality; it's better to pick | | | | take into account the quality of service you will be |
| a package with a clearly stated limit or be sure of | | | | getting. Best value doesn't always mean cheapest. |
| what your "fair usage" policy allows. | | | | Look beyond the price and get a package that really |
| • Make sure your ISP can connect in your | | | | suits you. Consider the customer service level, cost |
| area and find out what speed your line will actually | | | | and opening hours of the call centre before making |
| hold. Connections get degraded the further they get | | | | your choice. |
| from the BT exchange so you won't get the | | | | • Check to see if the ISP has won any |
| advertised speed. Our speed tests show that, on | | | | awards from the ISPA or PC magazines. |
| average, customers only get 35 per cent of their | | | | • Your new contract may also have a |
| promised speed. | | | | download limit, which may mean you end up paying |
| Wise up | | | | more than your monthly rate for big downloads. |
| • Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal, in | | | | Remember unlimited is not a reality; it's better to pick |
| a competitive market ISP's should be working harder | | | | a package with a clearly stated limit or be sure of |
| to keep you as a customer; providers offer special | | | | what your "fair usage" policy allows. |
| promotions for new customers, so if you are at the | | | | • Make sure your ISP can connect in your |
| end of your contract you can ask for the same. | | | | area and find out what speed your line will actually |
| • If you're not sure how much you actually | | | | hold. Connections get degraded the further they get |
| download, why not use a download monitor to track | | | | from the BT exchange so you won't get the |
| your Internet use? It's quick to install and is easy to | | | | advertised speed. Our speed tests show that, on |
| use, and you can even set alarms to stop you going | | | | average, customers only get 35 per cent of their |
| over your limit. And if you're not downloading much | | | | promised speed. |
| you may find you're actually on the wrong package | | | | |