Broadband Guides: Consumer Advice

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

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

Running a business without an office might seem impractical, but it’s something many entrepreneurs have successfully achieved

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

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

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

How to avoid buying a bad computer

It’s easy to avoid buying a bad computer nowadays, even if you’re not confident about a particular device’s technical specifications or your own requirements

The easiest tech for staying connected with grandparents.

Staying connected is essential, but not always easy for the elderly.

Getting started with BritBox

BritBox is the latest entrant to the increasingly crowded streaming media sector, but what does it offer and how easy is it to navigate?

Is my broadband tax-deductible?

With millions of people now working from home, it’s important to understand whether your broadband is tax-deductible or not

Common broadband customer service issues – and how to respond

We consider some of the most common broadband customer service issues, identifying ways to respond to them and help resolve them

How to tell native advertising from normal content

Common blogging mistakes – and how to avoid them

What size of computer monitor should I choose?

There is fierce debate about the optimal monitor size, and the conclusion often depends on your own requirements and tastes

How to work al fresco without losing productivity

Working outside productively represents one of the most compelling advantages of working from home, though it poses some specific challenges

Why cost isn’t the only reason to switch broadband provider

There are various reasons why you might decide to switch broadband provider, and cost – though important – is by no means the only one

Productivity software for home working

The home-working revolution has had a timely boost thanks to lockdown, and productivity software for home working can provide valuable assistance