Broadband Guides: Consumer Advice

Where can I watch live football?

If you want to watch live football at home, platform divergence and rising living costs mean tough decisions need to be made.

What happens if my broadband provider goes on strike?

There are growing concerns that a broadband provider strike may happen in the next few months.

What happens if my internet provider goes bust?

Consumer rights are limited if your broadband provider ceases trading, but with preparation you should be able to stay connected.

How to choose a new laptop

How to extend the lifespan of electronic devices

Some of our belongings and possessions will outlast us all, but there are now compelling reasons to try and extend the lifespan of electronic devices as well

How to get a discount on your broadband

When money's tight, cheaper home broadband could help you fight back against the rising costs of living

How to get a broadband discount with Universal Credit

Over 4 million low-income households in the UK could cut up to 50% off broadband bills by switching to a 'social tariff'.

How to cushion yourself against broadband price rises

Broadband price rises have been in the news recently, but there are ways to reduce their impact on already-stretched household finances

What to do if you need a broadband engineer visit

Broadband engineer visits to your home are rare, but certain steps will simplify the process if and when it’s necessary.

You can find WiFi networks in some unexpected places…

Why using ISP email accounts is a risk

ISP email accounts are handy when you start a new broadband contract, but their long-term future is highly uncertain

What should I do if my ISP threatens to cut me off?

The prospect of ISP disconnection could seem apocalyptic, but there are many reasons why it may occur, most of which can be averted in advance

Should you stay with a ‘Big Four’ broadband provider?

The UK’s four largest broadband providers dominate the market, but there are good reasons why switching to a smaller firm may be beneficial

How to cut your broadband bill in 2022

With tough economic times looming, now’s the time to reduce your broadband bill down to the bare minimum

How to permanently delete social media accounts

As social media continues to fragment and mature, 2022 may be the year when many of us decide to log off completely.

Do you need an office to set up a new business?

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is one of the world’s most widely used software packages, and yet many people have no idea what it consists of

Top Tips for finding broadband on a budget

Limited finances don’t need to stop you finding a good broadband deal, if you know what to prioritise

Rolling ‘no-contract’ broadband deals: pros and cons

So-called 'no-contract', '30 day' and 'rolling' contracts are increasingly popular, but they have drawbacks consumers should be aware of before signing up

A beginner’s guide to VPNs

Virtual Private Networks offer a valuable security blanket, but knowing how and when to use a VPN isn’t always obvious

How to live without Google

Living without Google might seem unachievable nowadays, but it’s easily accomplished with greater reliance on rival software providers

10 Tips to make your home office nicer

Check out these easy ways to improve your work-from-home environment - without draining your bank account!

Why your ISP’s free email address could cost you

Free email addresses are bundled in with many broadband packages, but they often come with a sting in the tail if you leave that ISP

The ISPs you don’t want to have to make a complaint to

ISP customer service remains a key differentiator, and Ofcom research reveals some brands are achieving more than others

Five platforms offering free photography for small businesses

Being able to access free photography for small businesses is a real money-saver, but it’s important to choose your images with care

A proprietary email address could save your small business

From garage enterprises to gateway businesses, a proprietary email address is one of the most important tools any small company can call upon

Tips for cancelling a broadband contract early

There are many reasons why cancelling a broadband contract early may be advantageous, but it could be expensive if not handled correctly.

How to persuade your landlord to upgrade your broadband

If you can persuade landlords to improve broadband, there are clearly defined benefits for all parties.

When is the UK broadband network busiest?

The UK broadband network busiest periods often occur when we’d most like to be online ourselves, but forward planning can reduce the frustration of slow connections

Dismantling and packaging home electronics for a house move

Packaging home electronics properly minimises the risk of damage occurring during transit – keeping them safe and secure during a house move

Satellite Broadband – Data from the Skies

If you live beyond the reach of cable services, satellite broadband may represent your best chance of a decent internet connection.

How to choose a music streaming service

There are various factors to consider when trying to choose a music streaming service, from pricing to genre coverage

Tricks to get broadband without a credit check

There are various reasons why you might want to get broadband without a credit check – we explain how to go about it

The UK’s best cities for working from home

New evidence has revealed the best cities for working from home or setting up a new business, including some surprising candidates

How to share limited broadband bandwidth

There are many ways to maximise the practicality of limited broadband bandwidth, reducing stress and frustration among people living together

How can you tell if you’re overpaying for broadband?

It’s often difficult to identify if you’re overpaying for broadband, but studying both your bill and your typical usage can provide useful pointers

Do all new homes come with full fibre broadband as standard?

An increasing number of new homes come with full fibre broadband, but it’s not something you can take for granted

Choosing a desk or workstation for the perfect home office

Choosing a desk or workstation can make a huge difference to your productivity, especially with millions of Brits set to work from home for many months

Which ISP has the fastest home broadband connections?

It's worthwhile to consider which providers can claim to deliver the fastest broadband connections to homes around the UK

How to get free broadband for home schooling during lockdown

A government scheme is offering help for online learning

How to handle broadband billing disputes

Broadband billing disputes are relatively rare, but they have the potential to permanently sour a relationship with an ISP

Ten steps for changing broadband providers

There are many reasons for changing broadband providers, but following a logical path from old to new should simplify the switchover immensely

Top 10 things to look out for when buying your next laptop

There are several key laptop specs which you should be aware of when hunting for a new portable PC or Mac

How to choose broadband for a second home

If you want to get broadband in a second home, different criteria apply to your main family residence

How to squeeze a home office into a small space

Creating a home office in a small space might seem ambitious, but modern technology can support workspaces in the most unlikely places

The best Black Friday deals might not be what they seem

Don’t let the excitement of Black Friday leave you vulnerable to scams!

How to turn a spare room into a home office

With lockdown resumed in England, millions may need to work remotely

Home broadband from mobile operators

It's worth considering switching broadband to a mobile operator as an alternative to market leaders like BT, Sky and Plusnet

How to create a home office in the garden

In the first in a series of working-from-home features, we consider how to create a home office in the garden

Zoom, Teams or Meet?

Making a choice between Zoom, Teams or Meet is often a matter of personal preference, depending on your integration with existing software