One of the reasons you typically put up with a poor service may be because you are concerned about having to change your email address when it is tied into your internet service provider (ISP). It actually makes more sense for you to use a web-based email such as Google’s Gmail or Microsoft’s Hotmail rather than your ISP. If you are tied into a contract you need to be sure that you have served the minimum contract term  or you will be liable for costs.

Two ISPs Zen Internet and O2 both offer competitive one month contracts and this avoids the locking in problem of long contracts plus both these networks were rated highly by Which? customers in a January 2011 survey for customer satifaction. O2 will give you a free wireless router and a 20GB data allowance. Whereas Utility Warehouse allows you to leave at any time in your contract without reprisal – you are only charged £10 admin fee which is a very reasonable amount.

When you leave a current provider you need to make sure you get your MAC code from them (Migration Authorisation Code). Your MAC code is valid for 30 days.  Make sure that you DO NOT CANCEL your current broadband provider when you have your MAC code as this could result in your phone being disconnected from access to broadband until you have selected your new provider and they have taken the steps to set up your new account. If you are on ADSL (broadband on a BT homeline) give your MAC code to your new broadband supplier who should confirm cancellation of your old broadband and a transfer date to your new supplier.  It should take up to 7 days to complete the switch.

Once you have switched check that you are nor being billed by your pld provider – it can happen! NOTE:  MAC codes can’t be used to switch between cable and copper wire ADSL providers, or some full local loop unbundled (LLU) providers – all participating ISPs must issue your MAC code within five days of your request. The type of broadband you currently have could limit your choices. If you  currently have a cable connection,  you will need a “BT” landline installed if you want to switch to an ADSL connection. For example, Virgin Media have a 30 days cancellation policy- always read the fine print on your contract.

Before you switch providers make sure you have checked out any hidden costs in your chosen package. If you are considering a cheap, or free, broadband  deal – consider the quality of service you will be getting.  Check your new contract for download limits as this could mean that you end up paying more than your current monthly rate for downloading.

ISPs should not blur the truth about broadband speeds to consumers in order to get ahead. While advertised speeds are going up and up, many people are not even getting the slower speeds they are being promised today. One in five people who take an advertised ‘fast package’ – used by 60% of internet users – are actually getting connections around 3Mbps-5Mbps.

Ofcom carried out performance tests in 1,700 homes across the UK at the end of  2010. This week Ofcom confirmed their research that our average broadband speeds are less than half those advertised. Ofcom, the communications watchdog, is pushing for a change in the way internet providers, including O2, BT and Sky advertise “up to” broadband speeds, which most customers are unable to receive.

We currently get less than half the average advertised speed of 13.8Mb. We are still being left in the slow lane by our internet service providers (ISP). UK web users are  experiencing some of the slowest broadband access in the developed world. Dissatisfaction with broadband is twice as high in rural areas – especially the east Midlands, Wales and Scotland – the widening gap between the broadband speed “haves” in cities and the “have nots” in the countryside.

The growing demand for faster broadband packages has led ISPs to advertise maximum speeds, despite our current infrastructure being unable to deliver them. The only ISP delivering close to the maximum speed advertised, according to Ofcom, was Virgin Media, with the advantage of a relatively new cable network in many urban areas.

Their typical broadband speed received by customers was much closer to the advertised speed with fibre-optic cable packages, such as the those delivered by Virgin Media with 17.25 Mbps average speed being delivered at peak times. However, only 22% of Britons have fibre-optic connections, with 77% of the population using copper-based DSL phone lines. Speeds are generally lower in the country because of the technology used for broadband services. All broadband providers except Virgin Media have to use BT’s copper lines to connect people’s homes to the internet. The longer the line between house and the local telephone exchange, the slower the speed. Lines tend to be shortest in urban areas and speeds are on average 15% faster than those in rural areas.

Unfortunately, when it comes to investing in  fibre optics to the home, we’re way behind when compared to countries like Germany, Japan and America. Consumers in London receive the fastest average speeds with those in the north east of England, Wales and Scotland receiving on average the slowest speeds.

Under Ofcom’s latest recommendations, ISPs advertising DSL connections of “up to” 8Mbps – the service used by the majority in the UK – would be forced to reveal that the typical speed is in reality between 2Mbps and 5Mbps.

Earlier this week The Observer Newspaper quoted the executive director of broadband at Virgin Media, Jon James, who described the Ofcam report as “yet another damning indictment that consumers continue to be treated like mugs and misled by ISPs that simply cannot deliver on their advertised speed claims”.

Virgin was ranked highest for customer service in the 2011 Which? broadband survey and although Virgin are not the cheapest in the market – they are actuually supplying you with what you have paid for – plus add-on deals such as 50 free photo prints each month and no connection setup fee all make Virgin Media your best home broadband choice.

For more information ~ Virgin Media (visit Virgin Media website)

To access a mobile broadband network you’ll need a mobile broadband USB dongle, or a mobile wi-fi dongle, a laptop, or tablet PC with mobile broadband built in. All of the mobile providers now offer mobile USB memory sticks rather than the older, mouse-like dongles that were initially provided. You just plug the dongle/memory stick into your computer’s USB port and you are connected to the internet wherever you are. Mobile broadband dongles simply enable your computer to access mobile 3G networks. The speed of your connection usually is not dependent on the dongle itself, but on the speed of the network you have.

Decide how you will use your PAYG dongle before you decide which option will suit you : either paying for a specific segment of time (either one day, one week, or one month, depending on provider) or a specific amount of data use via a wireless broadband  service. For example, if you opt for a pay per day deal, there will be a fair usage policy in place which will limit you downloading videos. Whereas if you select a specific amount of data use  for a set time you will lose any unused data after your time limit.  Note that if you decide to go for a PAYG dongle, you’re going to have a time limit and a GB limit whichever option you choose.

Check out the very latest deals today by using our  links.

• visit the three website
• Visit the Orange website
• Visit the o2 website
• Visit the Vodafone website
• visit the T-mobile website

Additionally, with a USB dongle you won’t be able to connect more than one computer at a time. To do that you’ll either need to go for a mobile wi-fi dongle – referred to as a MiFi- or buy a mobile broadband wireless router. Mobile wi-fi dongles are a cross between a USB dongle and a wireless router. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘mi-fi’ dongles ( this is a brand name originally couched by the network operator 3). The ‘MiFi’ can connect multiple devices to the mobile internet over the airwaves, essentially giving you your own portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Like other mobile broadband services you can use MiFi on the go – plus unlike normal dongles you can use the MiFi to connect iPhones and iPod Touches to the internet too. Mobile broadband  really comes into its own when you use it with portable devices such as laptops and phones as you can access the internet on the go.

Mobile wi-fi dongles act as hubs that let you wirelessly connect multiple devices to mobile broadband simultaneously. Unlike dongles you don’t have to plug a mobile wi-fi dongle into your computer’s USB port. Mobile providers 3 Mobile, Orange, Vodafone, O2 and T-Mobile currently offer a competitive range of dongles.

3 Mobile’s  sleek MiFi PAYG dongle, pictured above, costs £71.99 with 3GB  pre-loaded (limited period only – check our 3  sponsored link -top right) or pay £69.99 with a capped, £15 a month contract. Topped up and ready to go – just plug it in and surf away. When you run out of data you can buy a top-up and convert it to the Add-on of your choice. This offer from 3 is valid until March 31st 2011 and includes 3months free access to The Times website. 3 has been rated no1 network for Mobile Broadband in the latest YouGov survey.

3′s MiFi includes set-up instructions, a charger and a cable to connect it to your laptop. Even with no charge, the MiFi will work with full functionality when plugged into a laptop so you can use it and charge its battery at the same time. 3′s MiFi comes preloaded with credit, so you don’t have to worry about buying a pay as you go (PAYG) voucher, and the step-by-step set-up instructions are straightforward. Turning the MiFi dongle on and connecting it to 3’s mobile broadband network is simple using the small buttons on the side of the dongle. Download speeds are faster than upload speeds and is acceptable for browsing the internet.

A normal single dongle must be plugged directly into a USB port which means you are limited to connecting to one device, or laptop. The MiFi dongle is a wireless making it a portable WiFi hotspot so it does not need direct contact with your computer. You should be able to leave your MiFi in one place and use your laptop or iPhone Touch up to 30m away, although internal walls will shorten the signal. You can connect an Apple iPhone 3GS or 4; or an iPod Touch to the MiFi. If you have several laptops in your home the MiFi should be able to have them working at the same time; or you could browse the net on your computer while downloading apps on your iPod. The more activity you have with several devices simultaneously will affect the overall speed.

The best seller for a single dongle is also available at also at 3 Mobile – a PAYG USB modem stick pre-loaded with 1GB data allowance costs only £20.99. Vodafone’s super-fast USB modem stick at £19.99 includes £15 top up with a set up price £25. Compare this with T-Mobile USB modem stick £19.99 plus a £10 top up and PAYG mobile broadband at £2 a day, £7 per week and £15 month thereafter – This offer includes free broadband for one month with the first top up.

Committing to a broadband dongle contract is a difficult step when new and better PAYG deals are being offered almost every week – you might feel that as soon as you sign up for a package, or offer, another better deal will come along. The best thing about mobile broadband and PAYG dongle deals is you are free to move to other offers as they come along. Contract deals, on the other hand, usually involve signing up for a service that  may not suit you as your circumstances change. PAYG is therefore very sensible for thrift and flexibility.

Check out the very latest deals today by using our  links.

• visit the three website
• Visit the Orange website
• Visit the o2 website
• Visit the Vodafone website
• visit the T-mobile website

BT will take over Orange’s fixed-line business and a proportion of Orange staff will move over to BT as part of the re-organisation. The Times suggests the move to BT will increase Orange’s network coverage and free up their resources to invest in its broadband products and improve customer services.

Tell us what you think about this latest development?

Mobile broadband is easy to access, if you decide to sign up to a contract you will get either a small USB modem or a dongle that plugs into your laptop. Chose a data allowance that meets your needs because if you go over your allowance you will get hefty charges. If you buy online and you are not happy with connection speed or reliability you have a 7 day cooling off period when you can cancel your IP. Mobile broadband will not replace a fixed line connection for most users unless you are a light user or a student who does not require a fixed line. 

Before deciding on your provider check 3G coverage as mobile signals can be patchy in rural areas and blocked in some city buildings i.e. such as basement flats. The number of WiFi hotspots is growing rapidly and connecting to these will save you money (BT claim to have one million hotspots in the UK).

The latest reviews of mobile broadband providers indicate that BT are the tops for reliability, connection speed and value for money. Go to BT to check out their latest deals.  Virgin Media are also rated well but appear to be less reliable than BT with regards to losing connection when you are on the move. O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile are rated as average – though T-Mobile are less reliable but gain on good customer service. Orange and 3 have the lowest ratings with poor reliability and average connection speeds.

Although BT appear to offer the best all round service including value for money and customer service, all the providers mentioned in this article offer freebies, deals and incentives – so before you sign up for a contract it is worth trying PAYG to test out broadband services in your area.

For more information, visit the broadband provider’s websites;

• BT website
• Virgin website
• Vodafone website
• O2 website
• Orange website
• Three website
• T-mobile website

1. AOL is the cheapest, charging £4.99 a month offering up to 8Mb speeds and 10GB download limit. The minimum contract is one month and if you stay longer than 3 months you will pay £9.99 a month.  Check it out on the AOL website.

2. Be Broadband will offer you a faster 24Mb service with minimum contract of 3 months at £24.43 a month as well as line rental. Visit the Be website  for more details.

3. The cheapest mobile broadband provider is 3 charging £15 a month for a minimum of one month. It offers speeds up tp 7.2Mb and a 3GB monthly download limit. Note that the mobile network used to access the internet is not as reliable as a landline service. Visit the three website for more information and deals.

Note that Plusnet have a similar deal to AOL at a slightly more expensive £5.99 a month for 8Mb speeds and limit of 10GB. Click on the ad to the right for more info.

However, all pay as you go deals are not created equal and switching can save you money and may provide you with a better service too. PAYG users are often poorly catered for when it comes to advice on choosing between PAYG deals. If you are a low PAYG mobile user (making 5 mins of calls and approx. 15 texts a month) you might save £20 per annum by switching from a big player to a company like Asda who offers a flat PAYG rate of 8p per minute and 4p per text. The most expensive PAYG rates are around 22p for calls and 12p per text. Moderate users (about 40 mins of calls and 40 texts a month) could save £100 a year by switching from the most expensive to the cheapest. If you are a high user (making  300 call minutes and more than 100 texts monthly) it might be worth paying on a monthly contract or Sim-only contract.

PAYG mobile deals change rapidly so its worth shopping around and considering the smaller providers like Tesco (visit www.tesco.co.uk ). They offer calls and texts at half price for five nominated phone numbers which might suit your usage mode. Alternatively, T-Mobile and O2 offer cheaper rates after the first few minutes of a call so useful if you often make long calls. Check out www.t-mobile.co.uk and www.o2.co.uk

If you are a high user and want to stick with PAYG make full use of PAYG incentives. For example, if you top up around£10 O2, T-mobile, Virgin Mobile (visit www.virginmedia.com ) and Vodafone at www.vodafone.co.uk all offer ‘free’ minutes or texts – the more you top up the more free time you will get. Vodafone does some really good free weekend deals so worth checking them out. Remember that if you top up less frequently than once a month many incentives will not be available to you. Tesco has the best top-up incentives as they offer ‘free’ credit in exchange for topping up by a minimum amount a month. A £10 top up will get you £10 free credit while a £15 top up gets you £30 free credit.

Source: www.which.co.uk

1. £10 free credit.

Switch to Orange, use your old number and they will give you £10 free credit. You will need to know your previous PAC network code before visiting www.orange.co.uk 

2. 1 in 3 chance to win

Every time you top up you could win a prize with Bright Top Ups: a one in three chance to bag laptops, texts and maybe a holiday.

3. Magic Numbers

Choose your three best mates to chat to for up to an hour for just 20p. Visit www.orange.co.uk to top up by £10 a month.

4. Phone Fund

For every £10 you top up Orange will currently add an extra £1 towards a new pay as you go phone …. usable at any Orange shop. Plus, £10 off all pay as you go handsets costing £29 or more.

5. Orange Wednesdays

Treat a friend to a night at the flicks with 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Wednesday. Text FILM to 241 or visit www.orange.co.uk for details.

Alternatively, save £10 on a handsome Alcatel OT-708 with touchscreen. When you buy either of these phones with Dolphin, you will also get free internet browsing -for Facebook, Twitter, Bebo and more … visit www.orange.co.uk/shop

Orange was named Best Network Operator at the 2009 What Mobile Awards … Orange had the highest average ratings and the most 5-out of 5 ratings of all the networks. They were also voted the UK’s Number 1 Mobile Broadband provider in YouGov’s latest dongle tracker report. Over 2,000 mobile broadband users took part in the survey. Orange now has the biggest 3G network, covering 93% of the population ……. this means we can use our pay as you go phones to keep doing the things we enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR  2010

The price of a pay as you go mobile broadband dongle with o2 is £14.67 for this limited time offer – that is a bargain!

• Pay as you go daily price = £2 for upto 500MB of downloads
• Pay as you go weekly price = £7.50 for upto 1GB of downloads
• Pay as you go monthly price = £15 for upto 3GB of downloads

All the deals offer unlimited Wi-fi access.

Visit the o2 website to take advantage of this latest discount deal.