Going without broadband is simply not an option for a generation that has come to rely on the internet, but on a student budget many baulk at the cost, says
Broadbandchoices.co.uk, the Ofcom accredited broadband comparison calculator, which offers students hints and tips on choosing a broadband package
For many students, broadband is a basic necessity for university life, allowing students to socialise, conduct research, do their shopping, catch up on TV programmes and keep on top of their finances.
"Whether you are heading off to university for the first time or heading back to do your final year a broadband connection is essential,” said Michael Phillips, product director,
Broadbandchoices.co.uk.
"Mobile broadband is an excellent option for cash strapped students as it has become very cost-effective in recent years. A mobile connection gives you freedom to connect wherever you need to - in halls of residence, the park, the train - and also removes the thorny issue of splitting yet another utility bill with your house mates.
Furthermore, going mobile means you can ditch the additional cost of line rental, a move which could save you up to £144 per year."
Michael Phillips also believes that for some student houses, the best solution could be to go for a fixed-line broadband connection. "If you are in a large student house and don't mind sharing, then we would recommend a high speed broadband package with a speed between 20Mb to 50Mb,”she said.
“A service like Virgin Media's 50Mb XXL service, will allow housemates to all download large files concurrently without degradation to broadband speeds, so there will be no arguments about who is clogging up the house internet connection"
Top tips for buying mobile broadband
Students who are unsure of what to look out for when choosing a mobile broadband package can follow Broadbandchoices.co.uk's hints and tips below to ensure they are not caught out with a bad broadband deal:
1. Go Monthly - If you are unsure of how your finances will be in 9 months time and worried about signing up to a long-term contract, then a monthly deal could be the way to go. O2 currently offer a 1-month contract for £10 with a 1GB download allowance and a free dongle.
2. Download with caution - Mobile broadband deals do not always have the most generous download allowances, so you need to be careful and not go over your usage cap with too many episodes of Skins! Excess usage costs can mount up to a lot of money, so keep an eye on the limits set on your contract.
3. Beware of so-called ‘freebies' - A free laptop may look pretty enticing but you should always compare the cost of an equivalent broadband package and laptop purchased separately before signing up. These offers frequently turn out to be poor value for money and you could find yourself paying for your ‘freebie' after all through an extortionate monthly tariff.
4. Check your coverage - A mobile broadband connection isn't much use if your chosen provider doesn't have coverage in your area - rural areas are particularly unreliable. It is essential to do a postcode search with your chosen provider before signing up as patchy coverage could mean you are left without a connection when you need it most. Most mobile broadband providers offer a money back satisfaction guarantee in the first few days, so you can test the connection in your home. But if the signal is poor, don't delay in taking it back.
5. UK Only - Keep mobile broadband surfing to UK shores as the costs of data usage charges when using your dongle overseas could multiply up to 000's of pounds.
Broadbandchoices.co.uk's mobile broadband package recommendations for students:
|
Provider
|
Package
|
Speed (up to)
|
Usage limit
|
Excess usage
|
Contract length
|
One-off cost
|
First year
|
Monthly cost
|
|
O2
|
500MB
|
3.6MB
|
500MB
|
2.4p/MB
|
1 month
|
£19.99
|
£79.99
|
£5.00
|
|
Orange
|
Racoon
|
7.2MB
|
1GB
|
5p/MB
|
1 month
|
£33.98
|
£153.98
|
£10.00
|
|
Vodafone
|
Starter
|
7.2MB
|
3GB
|
1.46p/MB
|
1 month
|
None
|
£180.00
|
£15.00
|
Source: Broadbandchoices.co.uk, correct as at 16/08/2010
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