Are you getting the broadband speeds you’re paying for?

Check you are getting the broadband speed you are paying for!

Whether working from home, streaming movies, or gaming online, a reliable and fast internet connection is essential. But not all broadband services are created equal. It’s important to understand the different types of broadband speeds you need and how to check your connection to ensure you’re getting the best possible service.

Let’s talk about broadband speeds

The speed of your broadband connection is measured in megabits per second or Mbps. This refers to how quickly data can be downloaded or uploaded from the router in your house the speed at your computer or device will depend on how you set up your local area network (LAN)

Broadband usage at home

For light usage, such as browsing the web and checking email, a speed of around 10Mbps is sufficient. For streaming HD videos and online gaming, a speed of around 50Mbps is recommended. For downloading large files, uninterrupted homeworking, and streaming 4K videos, a speed of 100Mbps is ideal.

Connect more devices with a WiFi 6 router

You’ll also need a higher Mbps if several devices are connected to the network. This prevents lag, jitter, and annoying buffering, meaning everyone in the house can enjoy a smooth, seamless internet experience at the same time.

Making sure you’re getting the right broadband speed

Several online tools can help you determine the speed of your connection. One of the most popular and reliable tools is the Google broadband speed checker. It’s free to use and accurately measures your download and upload speeds.

It’s also super simple!

Use this Broadband Speed Test from Google, then click the run speed test. You’ll get results within a few seconds. They include download speed, upload speed, and response time. These measurements will help you determine if your connection is performing as it should be and that you’re getting the speeds you pay for.

Run the test a few times at different points of the day to get an accurate overview of speeds and network performance.

Why is my internet so slow?

Several factors can impact your internet speeds and connection. Thankfully, many of them can be sorted out with a quick and easy fix.

One common issue is the distance between devices and the router. The further away you are from the router, the weaker your connection will be.

Other factors that could impact your broadband speed include network congestion, interference from other devices, and obstacles, such as concrete reinforced walls and even fish tanks.

What else can I do to improve slow broadband speeds?

Firstly, try restarting your router. This can often help to refresh your connection and improve speeds. However, avoid switching off your router overnight. This is when providers send out updates. If you miss these, your network performance will degrade and slow down.

Try moving your router to a different location or upgrading to a higher-speed broadband package. You could also consider investing in a signal booster or Mesh system to improve your signal strength.

The right speeds for every customer

Broadband speeds are an essential consideration when choosing an internet service provider. With so many different options available, it’s important to understand your individual needs and select a package that meets them.

6G Internet has a package to suit everyone – and always for a very affordable price.

Enjoy a faster, more reliable, and more affordable connection with 6G Internet. Click here to find out if 6G Internet is available in your area.

A 6G Internet Statement: Why We’ll Never Raise Broadband Bills Mid-contract

At 6G Internet, we understand the importance of keeping things simple, transparent, and, most importantly, fair for our customers. This is why we’re proud to introduce our no mid-contract price rise guarantee.

In a world where unexpected price hikes have become an unfortunate norm, we stand by our commitment to providing the best possible broadband service without subjecting you to any unpleasant surprises.

In this blog, we’ll explore the issue of mid-contract price rises and explain why 6G Internet has chosen to do things differently.

Mid-Contract Broadband Price Rises Explained

Broadband companies usually offer contracts ranging from 12 to 24 months, with the monthly cost fixed for the entire contract duration.

But some companies incorporate sneaky clauses in their contracts that allow them to increase the price during the contract term, which is known as a mid-contract price rise.

These price hikes are often linked to inflation or other market factors, and they can significantly affect customers’ monthly bills.

Why Other Broadband suppliers Raise Prices Mid-Contract

There are several reasons why broadband companies raise their customer’s bills mid-contract:

Inflation: As the cost of living and doing business increases, companies may decide to pass on these additional costs to their customers to protect their profit margins.
Market competition: Companies may initially offer lower prices to attract customers, only to increase them later once they have secured a customer base.
Increased operational costs: Some companies might face unexpected expenses, such as network upgrades or infrastructure maintenance, and decide to recoup these costs by raising prices.

Broadband Companies Known for Mid-Contract Price Rises

Many well-known broadband providers put price rise clauses into their contracts, including major players like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky. These increases can vary in amount, but they typically range from 1% to 5% per year, depending on the provider and the contract terms.

For a customer paying £40 per month, a 5% increase would translate to an additional £2 per month or £24 per year. This may not seem significant, but these increases can add up over time, especially for customers on tight budgets.

And much larger price rises are incoming. BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk and Three have all announced an April price increase. According to money-saving expert Martin Lewis, some of their customers will soon start paying 13% more for their broadband.

6G Internet’s No Mid-Contract Price Rise Guarantee

At 6G Internet, we believe in putting our customers first – and treating them fairly.

Our no mid-contract price rise guarantee ensures that the price you sign up for is the price you’ll pay for the entire duration of your contract.

We will never hit our customers with unexpected price hikes that can strain their budgets.

We recognize that it is not fair or the right thing to do. Instead, we focus on offering competitive and very affordable prices from the outset and maintaining our high-quality broadband service without the need for hidden fees or unexpected increases.

A promise to our customers

The no mid-contract price rise guarantee is a promise to all our customers. By eliminating the uncertainty of mid-contract price increases, we’re offering them peace of mind in an industry riddled with surprise charges, hidden fees, and rising bills

Choose 6G Internet for a broadband experience that puts you first.

“Customers face frustrating hurdles during calls with broadband providers to reduce soaring bills.”

A consumer champion journalist has revealed the painstaking process of haggling for a better broadband deal with one of the UK’s biggest providers.

Chris Harper, who writes money-saving advice for leading online news outlets, knocked £13 off his broadband bill. But it wasn’t a smooth or pleasant experience.

Here’s his story:

“I’ve been a loyal customer with this company for years, but with the inflation-linked increase, I’d be paying a staggering £43 a month.”

So Chris contacted the provider, which is one of the biggest names in the UK broadband industry.

“I spoke to a lovely Scottish man,” continued Chris. “I told him about the competitor’s prices and asked if they could offer me a cheaper rate.”

The lovely Scottish man said no; Chris was locked into a deal. There was nothing he could do

“I’d been warned about this sneaky tactic on Twitter,” said Chris. “So I told the advisor my only option was to walk away.”

That did the trick.

“All of a sudden, there was another way I could get a cheaper bill…!” said Chris.

Chris spent the rest of the hour-long call being transferred between departments, waiting on hold, and explaining his situation all over again. But he eventually got the better deal he was looking for, cutting his bill from £43 per month to just £29.99 per month.

Brilliant, thought Chris.

Then this happened

“They said I’d have to send back my old router, only for them to send me the same one back!” said Chris. “Then I’d have to change my WiFi password and set up all my devices again.”

For Chris, reducing his bill was a minor inconvenience. But the experience made him realise that many others might be reluctant to negotiate with broadband providers.

“People could be either too scared or not confident enough to ring up these companies and ask for a better deal,” wrote Chris. “There were lots of ridiculous hoops I had to jump through. Elderly people or those who aren’t tech-savvy could find it intimidating, resulting in them not even bothering and being forced to pay hundreds more on their bills.”

Things like this don’t happen when you’re a 6G Internet customer. Our customers never have to call up and haggle over mid-contract price rises, because we never raise their bills mid-contract.

And when you do make the 6G Internet switch, we visit your home, set up a brand-new router, and make sure all your devices are connected and running smoothly.

6G Internet: fair prices, no mid-contract surprises, and real customer service.

Industry Experts Demand More Support for Financially Vulnerable Broadband Users

Broadband companies must do more to keep financially vulnerable people connected to the internet, say industry experts.

Rocio Concha, from consumer group Which?, urged the government to take actions that would encourage people on benefits to sign up for social tariff broadband deals. Social tariffs are cheaper broadband packages for those claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and other benefits.

Ms Concha highlighted that while cheaper social tariffs are available for most benefit claimants, only 3.2% of those who qualify are using them. Most people, it seems, are not aware that they exist.

She also suggested that broadband data should be exempt from VAT tax, like other essential utilities, including water and energy.

“Access to the internet is an essential utility in today’s world, as important as having access to water, gas, and electricity,” said Ms Concha

Cutting VAT on broadband would be relatively inexpensive compared to the long-term benefits, argued Ms Concha. A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that cutting VAT on broadband would cost the government around £1.4 billion, but reducing digital exclusion in key and vulnerable groups could stimulate £13.7billion in economic activity during the next decade.

Financially vulnerable individuals should also be allowed to switch contracts without incurring expensive exit fees, said Ms Concha. Furthermore, she believes they should be exempt from upcoming broadband bill increases, which could be as high as 17% for some consumers.

The government responded by calling on firms to raise awareness of the social tariff deals. It’s yet to make any statement on cutting VAT for internet data.

Science Minister and digital committee member Michelle Donelan said that telecom bosses should reconsider the price rises. However, it’s highly unlikely that any of the upcoming price increases will be reversed.

Price rises are something that 6G Internet members never have to worry about. Our no-price rise promise means your broadband bill will never go up mid-contract.

If you don’t want to pay more than you agree to, click here to learn more about becoming a 6G Internet customer.

Why 6G Internet will always give away free internet

In today’s digital age, the internet is part of our daily lives. From accessing essential services to staying connected with friends and family, it’s a crucial tool for people of all ages and backgrounds.

But for many people in the UK, internet access is not affordable or accessible, leading to digital exclusion and poorer economic outcomes.

Digital exclusion in the UK

Free internet access is critical to reducing digital exclusion in the UK. Digital exclusion refers to the gap between those with access to digital technology and those without access.

Studies have shown that a lack of internet access is linked to fewer economic outcomes. For example, people who can’t get online struggle to access job opportunities, education, and other critical services, including income support and other benefits.

Digital exclusion can also lead to social isolation and poorer health outcomes, including an increased likelihood of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Some studies have linked digital exclusion to shorter life expectancy.

The impact of digital exclusion

Here are some statistics to illustrate the impact of digital exclusion in the UK:

According to a 2020 report by Ofcom, around 1.5 million households in the UK do not have access to the internet.
In a survey conducted by the Good Things Foundation, 22% of respondents said they had been unable to access a service they needed because they did not have internet.
A 2021 report by the Centre for Social Justice found that 4.5 million adults in the UK lack basic digital skills.
According to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, people without internet access are more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, and have lower levels of education.

Digital exclusion and the rising cost of living

The rising cost of living in the UK is making it increasingly difficult for people to afford internet access.

According to telecoms regulator Ofcom, more than 9.1 million UK households (32%) are having difficulties paying their broadband bills.

Around 17% of households are cutting back on other essential spending, such as food and clothing, to afford broadband services; that’s four times the percentage of people doing so in June 2021.

Helen Milner is the chief executive of The Good Things Foundation, a UK-based charity that promotes digital inclusion

“Over one in 20 households have no internet at all, either fixed line or mobile,” said Helen Milner. “I’ve met a young woman who wept because we gave her a £10 top-up because it meant she could contact her mum in Ireland. She had two young kids and had no other way of contacting their grandmother.”

Why 6G Internet is giving away free broadband

The 6G Internet for everyone campaign is based on the idea that access to the internet is a fundamental human right. We believe everyone should have equal access to the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital world, even when they can’t afford the monthly bills.

Through this important campaign, we give away 20% of our network for free to schools, charities, and community organisations in every town and area we build in.

We’ve provided free internet to Age UK. The charity uses our free connections to run digital skills classes for older people.

Our free broadband connections at the Foxtown Centre in Preston are helping the city’s homeless and vulnerable groups access financial and health services.

And we recently installed free broadband connections in ten homeless pods in Blackburn.

“It’s a great initiative,” said Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. “It will allow those living in the shelters to get online and access the relevant documents, learn new skills, and send emails to help them on their way to improving their lives.

“Digital exclusion is a new form of social inequality,” says 6G Internet Digital Inclusion Manager Tara Murray. “Those who don’t have access to the internet will be increasingly left behind in education, employment, and society. The internet is not a luxury anymore; it’s a necessity.”

“And that’s why we will always give away free internet. It’s our commitment to bridging the digital divide in local communities, ensuring everyone can access digital spaces and develop the skills and support networks they need to thrive.”

Click here to learn more about the 6G Internet for everyone initiative.