Alternative “free” Promotions

No doubt some will be keen to avoid these pitfalls and happily there are alternatives to be found, such as BSkyB’s BASE “Sky Broadband” (http://broadband.sky.com) package. You’ll need to be a subscriber to Sky’s satellite TV service, yet those that are can pickup a 2Mbps connection for free, well that’s if you don’t count the £40 connection fee. The package comes with a lengthy, if still shorter than Carphone’s, 12 month contract and low 2GB data limit. There’s also a free wireless router (modem) included and Mcafee security software.

Only Communications (http://www.onlycommunications.com) offer another touting free modem/activation and a 2Mbps connection with unrestricted data consumption. There’s of course a catch here to, with customers being required to own a mobile phone package (12 month contract) first and presently the cheapest is at least £20 per month. Similarly Orange (http://www.orange.co.uk) has launched a nearly identical service, although it’s limited to 2GB of data usage and interested customers must purchase a mobile phone package that costs at least £30 per month on an 18 month contract.

The bundled option

I’d be remiss for not mentioning that Pipex, Biscit, Plusnet and Namesco, to name but a few of the growing fraternity, all offer very similar promotions. Most of these may not come under the “free” broadband bandwagon, yet there is equal and sometimes greater valve to be found among them. Namesco (http://www.names.co.uk) for example, which is presently offering 512Kbps broadband (2GB data limit), e-mail, 30 day contract and a free router for just a £60 connection fee. It’s effectively free for 12 months, costing £10.95 per month thereafter.

Unfortunately many such packages tend to suffer from either long contracts, poorly explained (or not at all) data use limits and or voice package confusion. Attempting to figure out whether any specific package is promoting a Voice-over-IP (Internet based) or true fixed land line calls package isn’t always clear. Ultimately you’ll still have to pay line rental in one form or another.

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