 |  | By Neil Hawkins Senior Staff Writer Friday, 8 August 2008 |
Well I can’t tell if its summer yet but one thing’s for sure I know a broadband deal when I see one and this week it’s no different with a couple of eye-catching offers around.
Plus, there is some useful new information which will help us all to compare broadband deals in the future.
New comparison of broadband providers provides useful insight
BROADBAND analysts SamKnows this week released a raft of handy information and data relating to their six week monitoring of a sample of connections form 12 major broadband providers.
For those of us who compare broadband this information is incredibly useful and has thrown up some interesting information.
For example, whilst Virgin Media’s fibre-optic cable broadband deals were amongst the quickest and most responsive, Virgin’s ADSL service was one of the poorest performers – something which customers said was virgin’ on the ridiculous (apologies).
Be and O2 Broadband came out looking good as you’d expect in the speed tests whilst Zen Internet did well across the board.
The most interesting result from the report was that only two broadband providers operate a traffic-shaping policy across the board, BT and PlusNet but that this actually helped internet traffic rather than affect customers ability to use their connections.
Be Broadband launches promotion for fat ladies
FAST broadband gurus Be Broadband has launched a new special promotion which is all the 8’s, two-fat ladies and everything.
It has slashed the price of its 8Mb Be Value package to just £8 a month until the end of 2008 – that’s right, 8meg for 8quid for 2008.
Nothing else has changed the package remains the same with unlimited access, 1.3Mb upload speeds, free wireless router and free 24/7 customer service.
This price cut has really brought Be Broadband into the mix in terms of competing with other broadband providers.
Providers such as Tiscali and BT have offered packages in this price range for a good while now but in terms of package specification and customer service they will be hard pushed to match the reputation that Be Broadband holds in this field.
Oli White, Head of Marketing at Be Broadband, said: "Be value offers an up to 8 meg service for a generation of users for who broadband is an essential part of their lifestyle, complete with a level of customer service that has earned us a strong reputation among the broadband community."
"This '888' promotion, along with the additional features that are included in the package, means that for customers who Be Broadband is their life-support system we will deliver the best Be Value possible."
Check out our review of the Be Value Package so you can weigh it up for yourself.
 Sign up for Be Value | £8 per month | 8Mb unlimited
New look PlusNet makes changes to broadband deals
PLUSNET has revamped its website, changed its logo and added new packages in a recent transformation that would put drag-queens to shame!
Most importantly is the launch of PlusNet Essential, a no-nonsense package which gives you everything you need in a phone line and broadband connection for just £16.99 a month – including line rental – when you sign up for 12 months.
There is a small 1Gb download limit but between midnight and 8am this is lifted and you can download as much as you like.
The package also comes with inclusive calls to UK landlines at weekends and other PlusNet customers.
Sign up for Plusnet Essential | £6.99 + £10 phone (with line rental) | 8Mb with 1GB limit
Change afoot in broadband world?
ORANGE is this week wondering what long term effect mobile broadband connections might have on its fixed line broadband business after it reported a 44,000 drop in customers for broadband services.
The French-owned broadband provider attributed the loss to increasing mobile internet usage and the increasing prevalence of unlimited use data plans on mobile phone contracts.
Whilst the overall number of broadband subscribers is still rising, nearly all broadband providers are reporting slower than expected growth, for example, TalkTalk adding 109,000 users in the last quarter instead of its target 129,000.
Despite all this negativity, the broadband marketplace remains competitive with some great deals and offers to be had, clearly the ‘slow consumer environment’ is spurring broadband providers on to provide you with ever greater bargains.
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