subject: Broadband - A Student's Guide [print this page] Joining college or university is often the first significant move away from a student's local support network of family and friends. Enrolling for low cost but efficient broadband service can be one of the most efficient ways of staying in touch.
But this is not the only reason for looking for around for great broadband deals - much of your studies will require research, and you buying your own broadband connection. If you opt to live out of halls e.g.in rented accommodation, you may have to buy your own broadband; but on many occasions it's included in the rent. Navigating the numerous deals labeled as 'student' offers can be confusing for the uninitiated. The following is a quick guide for students to get the best value for their money.
As a student you have limited resources. Cost is therefore a significant factor that you must use to sift through the different service provider packages. But as you do so, do not compromise on quality access when you do not need to. For instance, you might have one service provider offering a broadband deal that is 5% more expensive than the cheapest offer in the market. However, this more expensive service provider might clearly be providing a service that far outperforms the cheapest one. In such a case, then you may need to consider forking out a little more just to get a broadband service that will give you a smoother ride throughout the year.
You should also consider how long you are going to live in one place before you sign up for a broadband contract. If you will be staying in a certain place for a year, it is always far cheaper to subscribe for a long term contract as opposed to paying monthly.
Another good idea is to go for a bundled service e.g. if the broadband deal comes with an additional service such as digital television or telephone calls. Bundled services are usually cheaper than buying each service separately. You can thus substantially cut costs by getting broadband internet as well as free phone calls for a single payment.
The type of broadband is another key consideration. Broadband comes in two main forms: fixed line and mobile. If you will be living in a shared apartment or in a student apartment block, then getting a fixed line service is worth considering especially if you are going to be living there for a while. Fixed broadband has a number of advantages.
It tends to be faster and more reliable than mobile broadband. Downloads are much faster. On the other hand mobile broadband deals are more flexible than fixed line broadband because you can use it in the accommodation and anywhere else that the service provider has reach. Setup is also faster than fixed line broadband deals.
Overall, the hallmark of student life is sharing costs. If you have housemates, discuss how can to share the cost of broadband in order to enjoy better quality service.
