Sep 15, 2009
Pay as you go broadband for students
Ofcom have recently released advice for Students about to go to University. It is the first time the organisation has provided a broadband mini guide for students.
The guide compares the benefits of pay as you go mobile broadband against the need to pay for a fixed line (from someone like BT) and monthly broadband fees. The number of pay as you go (PAYG) broadband deals for home broadband are low but the number of pay as you go mobile broadband contracts are increasing everyday.
It is difficult to provide general advice on this issue – both home broadband and mobile broadband have their benefits and costs – but lets take a quick look at some likely costs.
Pay as you go broadband
- for a shared house
- Phone line installation (or re-installation) = £100
- 12-month contract for phone line (minimum contract) = 12 x £10, £120
- Pay as you go monthly broadband contract with Plusnet broadband (assume you take the 1-month contract for the 9 months you are at university or college) = 9 x £5.99*, £55
- Estimated cost for the 9 month year = £275
- Plus point: fast internet connection that you can share with housemates
- Negative: Getting caught in a long contract with the telephone and broadband provider.
Pay as you go mobile broadband
- whereever you can get a mobile reception
- Three broadband internet dongle = £20
- 9 months of pay as you go broadband top-ups (9 months of 7GB downloads = 9 x £25, £225
- Estimated cost for the 9 month year = £245
- Plus point: you can use the internet anywhere and with 7GB top-ups you can use internet for 70 hours per month.
- Negative: Mobile reception is variable and users have reported problems with mobile broadband on apple mac computers
Over a 9-month period the costs for home broadband and mobile broadband are pretty similar. Definitely shop around because with mobile broadband you could find a cracking deal where you get a freelaptop when you sign-up to a mobile broadband tariff. The free laptop deals are offered by all the broadband providers – visit the mobile broadband page and follow the links for their respective deals.
Visit the Ofcom website to download the guide in full.
* Read the small print on the Plusnet website for details of your contractual obligations inside a 12-month contract.
