Top 10 Student Broadband Deals

Although your parents may try to convince you that all they took to university was a knap-sack filled with sticks and they got along just fine, broadband has become an essential utility for students in this day and age.

Facebook, Twitter and email access is non-negotiable and the ability to do research quickly online is also a must. That means that a high performance, best value student broadband deal is more important than ever before.

Universities are operating more and more on the Internet, sending out vital emails, leaving important posts on their website, uploading notes and course content and even taking assessments online. And don’t forget those websites that are essential to nailing that all-important essay.

In fact, even without taking the work aspect into consideration, the Internet is a crucial and affordable way to stay in touch family and friends.

This page has all the information you need to compare the best broadband deals for students and find the right provider for your needs.

Choosing a student broadband package - what are the best student broadband deals?

• Price: Always a major factor in a student broadband purchase. For more cheap deals see our cheap broadband page. But remember, you often get what you pay for: the best broadband deals aren't always the ones with the lowest monthly rate.
• Contract length: Don't get tied down for longer than you need to. For more short contract deals see our short & no contract broadband page
• Download allowance: Do you just want to browse Facebook and check email? Or are you a heavy downloader? For the latter, see our heavy use broadband page
• Flexibility: No student likes to be tied down by their broadband connection. Wireless and mobile broadband packages are ideal for students who mainly connect to the Internet on laptops. See our mobile broadband and wireless broadband pages.

Student mobile broadband

Think carefully about your budget and what you need from a broadband package, and then try to choose appropriately.

If you're looking to get a great mobile broadband and free laptop deal you may be interested in netbooks. These are the latest in lightweight mobile computing.

Mobile broadband: compare all packages and deals here.

Note: Though the mobile broadband packages above may seem more pricey than their fixed-line alternatives, you will be saving substantially on line rental. This is something that's definitely worth considering if you intend to use your mobile phone for most of your calls.

Free laptop student broadband deals

Laptops are the ubiquitous must-have for students, both for studies and communication. Once upon a time providers would bundle a laptop together with a mobile broadband contract, enabling you to kill two birds with one stone and spread payments for an up-to-the-minute bit of kit.

However, in recent years laptop and mobile broadband deals have disappeared from the market. In their place, providers have launched mobile broadband tablet packages, the most popular of which team an Apple iPad with a monthly mobile internet allowance.

Free iPad deals

iPads are brilliant for note-taking, reading up on course books and keeping on top of your social life. All of which makes them a perfect student accessory.

Pick up an iPad on a contract deal and you'll get a monthly usage allowance just as you do with a laptop offer. And you'll be able to spread the cost of the device, so you won't have to find a big lump sum.

Check out iPad deals here: iPad deals