What is unlimited broadband?
If you opt for an unlimited subscription, you’ll never have to worry about how much you download each month. Streaming movies and TV shows, browsing the web, checking email, making video calls, and playing games all require downloads – because that’s what you’ll be using the internet for most of the time.
In comparison, upload applies to anything you put on the internet, like posting a photo on Instagram. This is why you’ll read more about a provider’s download speed than their upload speed, and you can expect your package’s upload speed to be much slower than your download speed. After all, you’ll be downloading much more frequently.
Your download speed depends on several factors, including where you live and the speeds offered by your provider and plan. Today, most providers do not impose a limit on the amount of data you can download each month. Mobile broadband plans are often an exception to this rule.
Do I need unlimited broadband?
Everyone benefits from unlimited broadband – this service gives you complete freedom in how you use the internet. However, some people need this type of broadband more than others. These include:
- People who use the Internet intensively: If you and your household use the Internet all the time—with mobile devices connected to Wi-Fi, smart TVs running video games, and laptops streaming high-definition (HD) movies—you should look for a plan that allows you unlimited downloads.
- People who run their business from home: If you are looking for a business broadband for your home office, you will find that these unlimited broadband packages are ideal for handling large files, video conferencing and multiple devices at no additional charge
- People who frequently play online: Gaming can be one of the biggest drains on internet usage. If you’re a gamer, you probably already have a broadband package that offers fast enough download speeds to ensure a smooth gaming experience. Unlimited broadband means you can enjoy lag-free gaming sessions without having to worry about data limits.
- People in a shared apartment: If you live with other people and don’t know exactly how much they download each month, you certainly don’t want your usage to be limited by your roommate’s browsing habits.
How to check your current internet usage
If you want to check your current data usage to decide if you need an unlimited broadband connection, try the following options:
Check your Internet provider
Most providers allow you to check your data usage in your account. This information can be found online or in the provider’s dedicated mobile app.
In addition to controlling your usage, you can often manage it by setting parental controls or time limits.
Check your router
Your router probably has an online interface that allows you to check your data usage. You will need the router’s IP address to log in.
To find your IP address on a Windows device, go to Settings, select Network & Internet, and choose either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. You’ll find your IP address under Properties.
On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Network, and select Wi-Fi or Ethernet. You’ll find your IP address under Details.
Check your devices
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets may have data usage features built in. You can usually find this information in the device settings under the “Network & Internet” or “Data usage” section.
Check a third-party app
Certain third-party apps such as My Data Manager, GlassWire and DataEye allow you to track your internet usage on your mobile devices. These apps usually have additional features such as the ability to set manual data limits and restrictions for individual apps.
How much data do you use when surfing the Internet?
According to our survey of more than 2,000 people, the majority of broadband users (63.7 percent) describe their data usage as “moderate.” Moderate usage includes streaming, scrolling through social media and general web browsing.
If you’re wondering how much broadband data you use for different internet activities, we’ve broken it down for you below.
| activity | Data usage |
|---|---|
| Surf the Internet for an hour | 180MB |
| Send/Receive 100 emails | 40MB |
| Stream 10 songs | 80MB |
| Stream a video for one hour | 429MB |
| One hour of online gaming | 30 to 300 MB |
| Stream a movie in standard definition for two hours | 1.9GB |
| Stream an HD movie for two hours | 4.2GB |
What unlimited broadband packages are available?
Unlimited broadband plans are now considered the norm because so many providers offer them. This means there are many package options available.
- Broadband and telephone offers: If you still use a landline service, whether digital or traditional, you should look for a provider with . Some providers, such as Plusnet, are discontinuing their landline services, meaning you won’t be able to sign a phone contract.
- Broadband and TV offers: Many providers offer this, which is ideal if you want to bundle these two services together. Some providers even offer a 4K TV and subscriptions to streaming services like NOW, Netflix and Prime Video for a flat rate.
- Broadband, TV and telephone offers: Check out to the UK’s leading providers such as Sky for a package that bundles phone, broadband and TV, but be prepared to pay higher monthly costs for this deal
- Broadband offers only: If you just want a broadband package and don’t need a phone line, TV service or other extras, opting for a is the best option. There are many plans with unlimited downloads
What is truly unlimited broadband?
When providers first started offering unlimited broadband, some plans technically had a monthly download cap or a fair use policy that limited the number of downloads available. Truly unlimited broadband is a broadband service with no download cap and a fair use policy.
A fair use policy limits your internet activity and downloads to ensure that it does not limit internet availability for other users in the area. This means that heavy users, such as people who regularly play games or stream HD movies, may have their internet usage limited if their activities affect the internet connections of people around them.
Fortunately, fair use policies are no longer very common. This is because fibre optic and full fibre broadband offer much higher capacity for downloads and faster internet speeds than traditional ADSL broadband.
Which internet providers offer the cheapest unlimited broadband deals?
Broadband deals are constantly changing, but some of the cheapest deals from nationwide providers are offered by and with packages costing between £22 and £26 per month. However, the cheapest packages have lower download speeds. For example, the NOW Broadband Full Fibre 75 deal offers speeds of 69 to 75 megabits per second (Mbps).
Many providers offer introductory deals that reduce the monthly price for the first six months or year of your contract. It’s always best to look closely at any provider you’re interested in to make sure you’re getting a good deal and getting the speeds you need for your internet usage.
Compare unlimited broadband deals
Find the best unlimited broadband deals for your home with Independent Advisor.
FAQs on unlimited broadband offers
Social tariffs, also known as broadband for low-income families, are cheaper broadband packages offered to families or households receiving Universal Credit or other benefits from the government. Some packages have a monthly download cap, while others offer the same unlimited broadband packages as their non-social tariffs. For example, BT Home Essentials offers unlimited broadband from £15 a month for low-income families and those on welfare.
You should be able to find unlimited broadband without a landline. This will depend on the providers available in your area and whether you can access fibre broadband.
With unlimited broadband, your download speeds can range from slow (35Mbps) to ultra-fast (3 gigabits per second (Gbps) with a plan offered by Community Fibre)However, the actual speed will depend on the broadband connection available in your area and the plan you choose. Typically, the faster your broadband connection, the more expensive your plan will be.
