Millions of households told to check broadband deals now as you could get full fibre without paying a penny more
MILLIONS of households have been told to check their broadband deals to see if they can get full fibre without paying a penny more.
Around 11million homes across the UK could get full fibre broadband without realising, according to Go.Compare.
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Some of these customers may be eligible for a free upgrade for the super speedy connection.
This is because many providers offer free upgrades to full fibre deals to customers - but you have to ask for it first.
The internet speed is considered the fastest on the market and uses plastic or glass cables when installed rather than standard copper wire.
The government previously set a goal that 85% of homes will have it by this year and it would be rolled out nationwide by 2030.
One way to check if you are eligible for fibre broadband is by using online tools such as MoneySuperMarket's fibre broadband checker.
Simply put in your postcode and it will show you all the suppliers offering the service.
If you notice your provider is on the list and you don't currently have fibre broadband, then it may be worth getting in touch to see if they will offer you an upgrade.
Matt Sanders, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said customers could get a "better connection for no extra cost".
"Even if you're already on fibre, you could find faster speeds for the same price by comparing deals, so it's worth looking into."
Matt said customers should note down the key details of their current broadband deal, such as the connection type, speeds you've been promised and what you're paying.
"This will make it easier to check if you're getting the service you were sold, and whether you could find a better deal by comparing packages when your contract is up."
You can check your broadband speed by using a free broadband speed checker online.
Go.Compare offers one and so does Which?
You can try it out by searching broadbandtest.which.co.uk.
HOW TO CUT BROADBAND COSTS
If you're not happy with what your broadband firm is offering you, shop around for a new deal and switch providers.
You can use price comparison websites like Uswitch to find the best deals based on your circumstances.
You can also use a deal found on a price comparison site to haggle your existing provider down to a lower price.
The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband mobile phone tariffs.
You can find it via www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs.
Top tips on how to stay connected
Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it:
Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls: More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on "wifi calling" in your settings.
Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they're too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on.
Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you're not using them.
Try wired rather than wireless: For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI.
Plug your router directly into your main phone socket: Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed.
Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom's official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes.
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