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Broadband deals with no setup cost

Enter your postcode to start comparing broadband deals available to you:

10 of 134 results
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Uswitch rated takes into account deals that are proving to be popular with our customers, that are competitive in the market and have a smooth buying process.
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Super fast fibre optic broadband means smoother video-streaming, better online gaming and quicker sharing of photos and videos.
Uswitch Exclusive
Virgin Media
Virgin Media M125 Ultrafast Fibre broadband only
132
Mbps
average UK speed*
£26.50
a month
no setup cost
  • £85 bill credit
More info
Uswitch Exclusive
Virgin Media
Virgin Media M500 Ultrafast Fibre broadband only
516
Mbps
average UK speed*
£38.50
a month
no setup cost
  • £100 bill credit
More info
Vodafone
Vodafone Fibre 2
67
Mbps
average UK speed*
£26.00
a month
no setup cost
  • £60 voucher
More info
Uswitch Exclusive
Virgin Media
Virgin Media M350 Ultrafast Fibre broadband only
362
Mbps
average UK speed*
£34.50
a month
no setup cost
  • £95 bill credit
More info
Uswitch Exclusive
Virgin Media
Virgin Media M250 Ultrafast Fibre broadband only
264
Mbps
average UK speed*
£30.50
a month
no setup cost
  • £90 bill credit
More info
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Gig1 Fibre broadband only
1130
Mbps
average UK speed*
£39.00
a month
no setup cost
More info
Ends soon
Sky
Sky Superfast Broadband
61
Mbps
average UK speed*
£27.00
a month
no setup cost
  • £50 voucher
  • Most Popular Broadband Provider
More info
TalkTalk
TalkTalk Unlimited Fibre 65 and Phone Line
67
Mbps
average UK speed*
£26.00
a month
no setup cost
More info
Plusnet
Plusnet Fibre
66
Mbps
average UK speed*
£26.99
a month
no setup cost
  • Broadband Provider of the Year
More info
TalkTalk
TalkTalk Unlimited Fibre 35 and Phone Line
38
Mbps
average UK speed*
£26.00
a month
no setup cost
More info
About these results

*Average speeds are based on the download speed available to at least 50% of customers with this product during peak time (8 to 10pm). Your actual speeds depend on factors like your connection type, area, time of day and distance from the telephone exchange.

§Order before 8pm for next working day delivery. To find out more about delivery times, please check the provider site for more details.

Deals are subject to local availability and may not be available to existing customers. You can confirm availability and estimated speeds for your property on the provider’s website - this may be different to what we show.

Some providers may increase monthly costs each year during your contract, in line with the retail or consumer price index. Check their terms before signing up.

We’ve highlighted some recent Uswitch Award winners on our table.

How our site works

Uswitch services are provided at no cost to you, but we may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to. This helps to keep our site free for you to use. Sometimes we have commercial agreements with providers to highlight deals that we think are worth your consideration. These deals are labelled 'sponsored'.

Author: Nick Baker | Last updated: 4th December 2023

If you’re ready to switch broadband providers and get started with a new broadband package, one thing that might seem a bit off-putting is the thought of paying set-up fees or installation costs.

You can usually still make a lot of savings by switching to a broadband deal with an upfront cost, but it's still worth considering providers that let you join without an extra charge. Here are a few services to consider when you’re looking to get broadband with no upfront costs.

What types of broadband come with free installation?

You can get all of the following types of broadband with free installation and without any upfront costs:

  • ADSL broadband

  • Fibre-optic - superfast part-fibre and ultrafast full fibre broadband

  • Cable broadband from Virgin Media

Nothing about the type of broadband requires your new provider to charge you a setup or installation fee. However, some services typically charge more for installation if it currently doesn't exist at the property.

For instance, if new home equipment is needed or a fibre-optic line needs to be installed, some providers – particularly the larger, more established ones – will charge an installation fee.

On the other hand, newer and smaller broadband providers looking to establish themselves in the market are more likely to offer a ‘no upfront cost’ broadband deal. So, they might be an option worth considering if they're available to your home.

What upfront fees could I have to pay?

You may have to pay upfront fees if you choose a broadband provider that doesn't offer free installation. These fees can vary but typically include installation costs and setup fees. Here are some examples of upfront fees:

Setup or activation fees

A setup or activation fee could be thought of as an administrative fee, something that covers the costs of getting you signed up to your new broadband provider.

The two terms tend to be used interchangeably and are more common in shorter-term broadband contracts, so you’re likely to see these fees for one-month broadband deals.

Delivery charges

You may find a small delivery charge included when signing up to a new provider.

This usually covers the costs of sending out your new Wi-Fi router or set-top box if you’ve signed up for a broadband and TV deal, and it shouldn’t set you back more than £5-£10 when you sign up.

Installation charges

As mentioned above, there are times when new equipment or a new broadband line will need to be installed in order for you to access certain services. This will sometimes come with an installation fee.

For instance, if you’re moving from any of the providers that use Openreach to deliver their services – such as BT, Sky or TalkTalk – to a provider like Virgin Media or Hyperoptic, you’ll likely need to have a new cable or fibre-optic line installed. 

Similarly, if you sign up for TV services from Sky along with your broadband, you might need to pay an installation fee to get your dish and set-top box installed.

Installation charges vary from as little as £20 to £100, and you might need to pay these charges even if the broadband package has free setup.

How long does a broadband installation take?

Broadband installation times can vary depending on the provider and the type of broadband you choose. However, most installations take about 10-14 days to book in advance.

It’s important to know that you likely won’t have significant downtime on your broadband when switching providers. Your existing connection will work until your installation date, and if you need an actual installation (where your internet may be down), that'll take a few hours.

Once booked, an engineer visit can take 30 minutes for a simple installation and up to three hours if a new line needs to be installed on the property.

Which broadband providers offer free installation and no setup fees?

You can get broadband with no upfront cost from many major UK providers.

Plusnet

Earning its reputation as an affordable broadband provider with excellent customer service, Plusnet doesn’t charge any upfront costs unless you need a new phone line installed, which will cost you an installation fee of £50.

TalkTalk

Most TalkTalk broadband deals come with free setup, but you could be charged for new equipment if you sign up for a broadband and TV deal.

Vodafone

Despite offering some incredibly fast broadband speeds, Vodafone doesn’t charge any setup fees when you take out a new deal with the provider.

Compare 100Mbps broadband deals

Find broadband deals with 100Mbps speeds and faster in your area.

Which broadband providers charge setup fees?

Providers that regularly charge setup fees or installation costs will sometimes waive them as part of a promotion or special offer, especially around key dates in the year, such as Black Friday.

Otherwise, be sure to factor in the additional costs when comparing broadband deals. 

BT

As the UK’s largest and longest-trading internet provider, BT still charges setup fees on most of its broadband packages – anything from £29.99 to £59.99 for some broadband and TV packages.

You might be able to get a broadband deal from BT without any upfront costs from time to time during the occasional promotion. However, the provider is likelier to offer reward cards or bill credit instead of reduced sign-up fees.

Sky

Sky’s biggest selling point has always been its award-winning TV service. As such, a setup and/or installation fee is usually attached to new Sky packages. 

You’re more likely to find a discounted or free setup on higher-cost deals, such as a full-service TV and broadband subscription.

NOW Broadband

NOW Broadband deals usually include a small upfront cost, which is often waived as part of a promotion.

NOW TV memberships are very different from NOW broadband packages. Operating more like Netflix, you can sign up for and cancel these as and when you like without paying any sign-up fees.

Virgin Media

It’s fairly typical for Virgin Media to charge an installation fee when new customers sign up because a new broadband line is usually required. However, if your property has had a Virgin Media connection previously installed, you likely won’t have to pay a setup charge.

You may often see ‘no setup fee’ on many Virgin Media deals, but you may still be required to pay an installation fee when arranging an engineer visit.

What are the pros and cons of broadband with no upfront costs?

The fewer costs we need to pay to get set up on a new broadband deal, the better. However, choosing broadband deals with no upfront fees has a few minor drawbacks.

Pros of broadband deals with no upfront costs

  • Fewer expensive charges to pay when you sign up.

  • You still get a wide selection of deals, as packages with no setup costs are fairly common across the market.

Cons of broadband deals with no upfront costs

  • Fewer options as some deals won’t be available without paying a setup fee, and these deals might end up being better value in the long run.

  • Limited services - additional services like TV or phone deals often come with setup costs.

  • Additional ‘hidden’ costs might be included such as installation costs or engineer fees.

Can I get broadband and TV deals with no upfront cost?

You can get a broadband and TV deal with no upfront cost, as providers like Sky often use this as a promotion to entice new customers.

With the introduction of Sky Stream TV, which requires less physical equipment to access Sky content, setup fees are lower and therefore waived more often to make the offer seem more appealing.

Of the major providers that offer broadband and TV deals, BT is the most likely to charge a setup fee for its services.

Do I need an engineer to install broadband?

In many cases, no, you can self-install your broadband with easy-to-follow instructions provided by your broadband provider. This can save you time and money, and you can enjoy your broadband service without waiting for an engineer to install it.

However, if you need a new broadband line installed - whether it’s a full fibre cable or Virgin Media connection - you’ll need an engineer to come and set this up for you.

No upfront cost broadband FAQs