Switching to an improved broadband deal is one of the ways an individual can keep up with the incremental cost of living. Whilst Vodafone is famous for its mobile network in the United Kingdom, the company also offers an extensive range of fibre broadband tariffs. On that note, this article aims to provide an overview of the areas to consider when selecting a broadband provider and how Vodafone’s broadband deals may be the right choice for you.
An Overview of Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the leading total communications providers in Ireland, as they possess more than 2.35 million mobile and fixed subscribers. Specifically, Vodafone employs around 1,300 individuals in Dublin and Dundalk, with nearly all of them placed in the customer care department to offer personalized customer support on a 24/7 basis. The company has also partnered with over 50 networks globally and established its presence in more than 30 countries across five continents.
In terms of its offerings, Vodafone provides both fibre as well as asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband, thereby enabling connection speeds of up to 100Mb/s across the United Kingdom. As a matter of fact, specific locations may even have up to 1,000Mb/s in broadband speed!
Things To Consider When Evaluating Broadband Deals
Fundamentally, all customers ought to ask themselves three key questions when selecting a broadband provider alongside the tariff:
How much are you willing to pay every month?
This is a relatively simple question, though readers are strongly advised to be on the lookout for tariffs that charge a specific price for a certain duration prior to increasing it. In addition, if the individual’s contract with their current provider has a clause detailing an exit fee, it would therefore be imperative for the prospective customer to consider whether the long-term savings that they may enjoy significantly outweighs the sunk costs of discontinuing their current contract.
What broadband connection speed will you need?
The broadband speed that users need will largely depend on their purpose for using the internet. In general, the greater your internet usage, the more you will need to pay.
Suppose you are a frequent online video gamer or someone who consistently uploads large files or streams Ultra high-definition (HD) 4K videos. In that case, there is a high chance you will need Vodaone’s full-fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband connection, which provides up to 1,000 megabits (Mbps) or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) in terms of speed. Meanwhile, if you don’t need the FTTP broadband, fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) broadband connection might be a better match, whereby FTTC provides an average speed that does not exceed 80Mbps. This connection speed is available in the majority (90%) of UK households. It is typically fast enough for users to seamlessly download large files and/or stream 4K videos without experiencing many difficulties. Moreover, the standard ADSL broadband has up to 8Mbps in speed, which works well for individuals using the internet to check their social media and work emails. However, they will need to anticipate challenges when attempting to stream HD videos.
Is the broadband provider famous for having satisfied customers?
In general, customers are strongly recommended to review the research data published by the industry regulator Ofcom to determine a broadband provider’s customer service rating.
What Do Vodafone’s Broadband Deals Offer?
Overall, Vodafone is best known for having some of the most affordable broadband deals in the United Kingdom. A minimum broadband speed for all internet deals and a cashback offer for low-quality services will be offered to every Vodafone customer. Meanwhile, the company has safeguarded its customers’ online security by developing its in-house internet protection software, the F-Secure SAFE. On top of that, all broadband tariffs by Vodafone employ FTTC technology and provide either 38Mbps or 76Mbps in terms of connection speed.
If you happen to be an existing mobile customer of Vodafone as well as a subscriber of its “pro” tier tariffs, you may also be eligible to receive a free Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
What Are the Connection Speeds Offered by Vodafone’s Broadband Deals?
Upon registering for Vodafone deals, customers will be given two fundamental options to select from. Both options guarantee the delivery of fast connection speeds to satisfy all Vodafone users’ internet requirements.
On top of its two main Superfast fibre options, Vodafone does offer its Gigafast services in specific regions, which provide significantly fast connection speeds of up to 900Mbps. Furthermore, landline call allowances and additional mobile features may be included in a customer’s broadband package for as low as £2.50 per month.
Are Vodafone’s Broadband Deals Suitable for My Needs?
Suppose you are contemplating switching from your current broadband provider in favour of Vodafone’s broadband deals. In that case, some of Vodafone’s key offerings to bear in mind include its Superfast fibre broadband being capable of satisfying nearly every internet prerequisite within most UK households. Moreover, Vodafone’s Gigacube may be considered invaluable within geographical regions possessing poor ADSL services.
How Could Customers Set Up Their Vodafone Broadbands?
Given that Vodafone’s broadband deals employ the Openreach network by BT, the company will need to contact the customer’s existing broadband provider (such as Sky or BT) to inform them of the change in provider.
Broadly speaking, setting up your Vodafone broadband is a straightforward procedure in which customers can choose to self-install and thereby eliminate the need for an engineer’s visit. Besides that, customers can also benefit from the non-existent installation fee or set-up costs when setting up their Vodafone broadband. In essence, users only need to connect their Wi-Fi router with their household’s phone sockets using a DSL cable. Should your phone socket not be a dual-socket, fret not, as Vodafone has already included a microfilter in the broadband package for you to complete the plugging. Once connected, customers can switch on their power supply and use their Vodafone broadband.
If the customer already possesses an Openreach-approved Wi-Fi router, they will be able to continue using it. Nonetheless, they will still be required to provide their Vodafone account details to enable the company’s customer support team to assist them in setting up a third-party router for their Vodafone broadband deal.
Upon signing up, customers will be provided with an installation date and the time in which their Vodafone broadband deal will go live (typically at midnight of their installation date). The data is usually ten days after the customer has registered unless specified by the customer otherwise or if particular engineering work needs to be completed first.
