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What broadband options are available for studying in the UK?

There are some differences between broadband services in the UK and those in China. For example, there are relatively more broadband providers in the UK, giving you more choices. However, it's important to note that broadband contracts in the UK typically require a minimum term of 12 months, and some may even require a minimum term of 18 months or more. Therefore, it's advisable to inquire about the terms and conditions in advance. Similar to China, you may also find promotional offers that provide discounts or gifts when signing up for broadband services.

Ten-Sheng Cat reminds you that although there are many broadband options in the UK, it is still recommended to research the area where you will be living in advance to find out which broadband providers offer good network coverage. For example, Ten-Sheng Cat moved to a terraced community where the broadband coverage was limited due to its distance from the city center, taking around 20 minutes to walk. In that area, many network providers did not offer reliable broadband service, and only one provider had decent network coverage, although the speed was average.

Ten-Sheng Cat has used two broadband providers in the UK, Virgin and Sky, and found them to be quite similar in terms of service quality. However, in terms of convenience, Virgin is slightly better as it does not require a phone line. If your place of residence does not have a phone line, you would need to apply for an additional installation of a phone line with other providers. Ten-Sheng Cat switched to Sky broadband because the new place of residence did not support Virgin network services.

Please note that the translations provided are based on the given context and may not be an exact representation of the original text.

Virgin media

Official website：https://www.virginmedia.com/shop/broadband

One of the broadband providers Ten-Sheng Cat used was Virgin. At that time, Ten-Sheng Cat went directly to the city center store to apply for the service. After applying in person, they provided Ten-Sheng Cat with a free router. It is important to take good care of the router because it needs to be returned when the contract expires or when canceling the service.

Virgin offers various packages, including broadband services without the need for a phone line. In most houses, if there is no existing phone line, it is not possible to install broadband directly. In such cases, it is necessary to first install a phone line from another operator called BT before setting up the broadband connection.

The prices are relatively cost-effective, especially for annual packages. However, it's important to note that if you purchase an annual package, you cannot cancel it midway. If you no longer require their services during the contract period, it is advisable to inquire in advance about the cancellation process, as there may be additional charges such as installation fees. However, it should be noted that Virgin's network is not available in many areas in the UK, especially for broadband without a phone line. Availability is more common in slightly larger cities. Therefore, it is recommended to enter your address postcode on their official website in advance to check if Virgin's network or their broadband without a phone line is available. You can make reservations through phone, website, or in-store appointments.

Please note that the translations provided are based on the given context and may not be an exact representation of the original text.

Sky

Official website：https://www.sky.com

Ten-Sheng Cat has also used Sky broadband and found it to be quite good. There have been very few instances of internet outages, and the speed has been satisfactory, sufficient for their needs. Sky offers a variety of internet packages, including bundled packages with TV services. The prices vary, and you can choose the package that suits you best. However, it's important to note that Sky broadband may not be available in all areas of the UK. It is necessary to check their official website to confirm availability. If you want to watch TV in the UK, using Sky's broadband package is a good option. However, please be aware that Sky requires a minimum contract term of 18 months. If you are not planning to stay in the UK for more than 18 months, it is advisable not to sign up for their services.

BT

Official website：https://www.bt.com/broadband

This company is a highly reputable broadband provider in the UK with extensive coverage. Their network can be installed in most parts of the country. In the UK, broadband installation typically requires a phone line. If your house doesn't have a phone line, you would need to apply for a telephone line installation from BT before being able to subscribe to their broadband service. It's important to note that only BT's phone line can be installed in this case, unless you opt for a phone line-free broadband service like the Virgin service mentioned earlier.

BT frequently offers promotional activities and provides free sports channels for TV when you subscribe to their broadband service. This is particularly suitable for students who enjoy watching sports events. Additionally, BT provides free wireless network services in many public places throughout the UK for their broadband subscribers. This means that as long as you are their broadband customer, you can freely use their wireless network wherever it is available.

For non-BT broadband users who would like to use BT's wireless network, an additional fee is required. The payment can be made based on time intervals: £4 for 1 hour, £10 for 1 day, £25 for 5 days, and £39 for 30 days. This option is convenient for those waiting for their home broadband to be activated or for when they are traveling.

You can log in to BT's wireless network official website to check information such as the locations of BT hotspots in the UK and the charging details.，website：http://www.btwifi.co.uk/

In addition to its wide coverage across the UK, one of BT's advantages is its fast internet speed (although in certain areas, the speed can be very slow or even experience outages). It is also known for its stability (although in some locations, it can be quite unstable). Therefore, the performance may vary depending on the specific location.

Talk Talk

website：http://salesholding.talktalk.co.uk/

This provider is primarily known for being inexpensive. Apart from affordability, it doesn't seem to have any significant advantages. While it can handle basic tasks like online chatting and browsing web pages or videos, Ten-Sheng Cat does not recommend it for international students because it can be somewhat painful when working on tasks such as writing papers or completing video assignments assigned by professors.

Ten-Sheng Cat reminds you:

When setting up broadband in the UK, it's similar to the process in China. First, choose the broadband provider you prefer, then visit their official website to check the suitable package options. Generally, there are standalone internet services as well as bundled packages that include telephone and TV services. Regardless of the provider you choose, Ten-Sheng Cat recommends selecting a package with slightly faster internet speed, as slow speeds can be frustrating, especially when writing papers.

Ten-Sheng Cat would like to emphasize that the payment method for broadband in the UK is slightly different from China. You will need to open a UK bank account before applying for broadband, as the broadband fees are typically linked to your bank account for monthly direct debit payments.

To apply for broadband, bring your identification documents, housing contract, and UK bank card. It's a good idea to inquire in advance about the specific requirements of the provider you wish to apply with, or you can directly apply on their official website. Some companies may offer additional discounted packages for international students, or you may receive various perks if you sign up during promotional periods.

Ten-Sheng Cat recommends everyone to go to a physical store to apply for broadband if possible. Ten-Sheng Cat personally went to a store to apply and was asked to present identification documents and the contract. We signed the agreement on the spot and happened to encounter a promotion, which offered a discounted annual package. They also gave us a free router at the store and later sent an additional router to us via mail. Of course, we returned both routers afterward, with one of them being completely untouched and brand new.

After applying for broadband, the network will not be immediately activated. It can take around 2-3 weeks or even longer for the network to be activated and for the router to be delivered to you. In some cases, an engineer may visit your place for installation, depending on the circumstances. However, if you apply in certain stores, you can receive the router on the same day. When receiving the router, it's a good idea to ask if it needs to be returned when you no longer need the service.

Therefore, Ten-Sheng Cat advises applying for broadband about a month in advance. For example, when Ten-Sheng Cat planned to move into a new house starting from September 1st, we applied for broadband in August. By the time we moved in, the network was already activated, and the speed was relatively fast.

Once you receive the router, there will be an installation guide included. You need to follow the instructions to install it, which is quite simple. If you encounter any issues during installation, you can call for assistance, and there will be customer support available to help you. Generally, they will connect you to a human representative quickly.

In general, broadband services in the UK have a minimum contract duration of 12 months, and there are also options for 18-month contracts. Before applying, it's important to clarify the contract duration. Even if you have a 12-month broadband service in the UK, if you don't actively cancel your subscription before it expires, it will automatically renew, and you will be charged at the regular price instead of the discounted rate you initially received. Therefore, it's crucial to ask the provider you choose about the cancellation process, how far in advance you need to cancel, and what procedures are involved. Canceling the service at a physical store is usually the best option since some companies may require you to return the router.

Of course, if you find the broadband service satisfactory and wish to continue using it after the initial 12-month period, it's advisable to inquire with the provider ahead of time about any new promotions or discounts available for your current package. Generally, if you ask, they will provide you with alternative discounts. Otherwise, your subscription will automatically continue at the regular monthly price. Essentially, by inquiring, you are essentially reapplying for the broadband service, but with reduced monthly costs.

If you decide to terminate the 12-month broadband service before the contract period ends, you may be required to pay for installation fees and other additional charges depending on the specific requirements of your broadband provider.

Ten-Sheng Cat particularly reminds you that if you move to a new residence after signing up for a broadband service, remember to inform the provider at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This will give them sufficient time to reinstall the broadband service at your new location, ensuring that it is ready for use when you move in. During the broadband application process, as most providers use automatic payment deductions from your bank account, it's essential to cancel the automatic payment arrangement from your bank account after discontinuing the service. Additionally, if you graduate and return to your home country, remember to cancel any automatic renewals for utilities, such as water, electricity, gas, gym memberships, and any other services you previously arranged for automatic renewal.