All about broadband with no upfront cost or setup fees
Looking for broadband with no upfront costs or setup fees? Want to minimise the cost of broadband? We’re here to help!
Broadband providers use every trick in the book to attract new customers. One of which is to offer products with no upfront costs or setup fees.
As these are business expenses anyway, there’s no reason why you should pay for something the provider has to do to deliver the service you’re paying for!
That’s why we created this page.
To help you assess whether upfront costs are worth paying for to get the right deal and how to avoid them if it’s possible to do so.
Can you get broadband with no upfront costs?
Yes, you can get broadband with no upfront costs. Many providers use ‘no upfront costs’ or ‘no setup fees’ in their marketing as an incentive.
It’s one of the many ways broadband providers try to attract new customers and many will make it clear from the outset.
As upfront costs can be anything from £5 to £35, it’s well worth trying to find broadband without a setup fee.
If you don’t see it mentioned anywhere, check the deal details. If you see no mention of free setup or no upfront costs, it may mean you’ll be paying them.
Be aware though that some providers will simply include the upfront cost within the monthly fee so you may pay more over the long term.
That’s why we recommend always checking both the monthly cost and overall cost for the term so you get a true comparison.
You’ll see in our comparisons a monthly fee and the total cost for the term underneath.
This is to help you accurately assess how much you’ll be paying over the entire contract, not just for each month.
What setup fees could you have to pay?
Broadband setup fees are applied to cover the cost of new customer setup. That can include the administration cost of setting up your account and connection, the cost of the router, an engineer visit or the courier cost to deliver the router.
Some providers add these costs to the monthly fee and don’t charge a specific upfront cost. Others do charge that upfront cost.
The type of fees you may be charged can include:
Installation fees – Installation fees can be charged for a new connection. If your property has not had a phone line or fibre broadband connection before, or you’re switching between a BT Openreach connection and Virgin Media, an engineer may be required to install the hardware.
Activation/Setup cost – This is the cost of setting up the customer account and provisioning the connection we mentioned earlier.
First month’s payment – Broadband packages are charged in advance, not in arrears like other utilities. That means you’re paying for the next month’s usage, not the last month’s.
Router delivery – If you don’t need an engineer visit to set up your broadband connection, the provider may send the router via courier. The cost is modest but it may charged to you.
TV box delivery – If you’re having TV as well as broadband that requires a physical device, you may be charged for delivery of that device.
Wi-Fi router upgrade or additional mesh nodes – Potential charge if you choose to upgrade the free broadband router or want more mesh Wi-Fi nodes from broadband providers that offer mesh kits.
Wi-Fi or broadband setup - Most providers assume you’ll set up the broadband and router yourself, but some offer installation if you pay for it. Wi-Fi setup may be free if you opt for a more expensive package or one with Wi-Fi coverage guarantee.
Which providers offer broadband deals with no upfront fees?
A number of broadband providers offer broadband deals with no upfront fees. Some offer them as standard while others will offer free setup as an incentive or special offer.
Providers that regularly offer no extra costs include:
Plusnet
Plusnet broadband only charges upfront fees for landline installation. Otherwise, there are no setup fees. As the vast majority of properties won’t need a new phone line, it would be unusual to have to pay anything.
BT Broadband and BT Home Essentials
BT broadband generally charges setup but will often waive them as part of a new customer offer. BT Home Essentials is the provider’s social tariff and typically comes without upfront fees.
TalkTalk
TalkTalk broadband generally does not charge upfront fees for setup. There may be delivery fees required for the TalkTalk TVHub which is part of the TV package, but otherwise setup is free.
Vodafone Fibre Broadband
Vodafone Broadband does not currently charge any upfront fees. That’s true even if an engineer visit is required to install a landline or fibre connection.
Shell Energy Broadband
Shell Energy does not currently charge upfront fees for their broadband. That includes if an engineer visit is required for setup.
Sky
Sky Broadband offers no upfront costs if you buy online. If you buy instore or at one of their stalls in a shopping centre, you may be charged a setup fee. Buy online and you won’t need to pay on some broadband products.
Other broadband providers may also provide free setup or charge no upfront fees but these are the ones we often see offering this kind of deal.
Other providers like NOW Broadband don’t charge setup but will charge a small fee for router delivery.
As always, check the offer details before signing to ensure you know exactly what you’ll be paying for.
What types of broadband come with free installation?
All types of broadband can come with free installation as providers that regularly offer no setup fees will apply it across the board.
That includes all popular broadband types including ADSL connections (uses a landline), FTTC and FTTP connections (fibre and full fibre), unlimited broadband, superfast broadband and ultrafast broadband.
Virgin Media currently charges a £9.99 setup fee regardless of the product you buy, though may waive it as a special offer.
Some providers may charge for installation on lower priced broadband and not for higher priced deals.
Other broadband providers may offer free installation as part of a sale, special offer or discounted deal.
Check the small print carefully when you’re shopping around as there are always savings to be made!
How do I find broadband deals with no upfront costs?
You can find broadband deals with no upfront costs using our comparison tables.
1. Enter your postcode into the box and check availability in your area
2. Check the broadband speed and the deal details carefully to make sure you’re selecting the right product for your needs
3. Check the costs and the small print to identify whether the deal has any upfront costs or not
4. Sign the contract when you’re ready
5. That’s it!
You’ll typically find the setup fee or any upfront costs listed within the deal details or cost breakdown. It isn’t always obvious so do a little digging to find those magic words ‘no upfront costs’, ‘free setup’, ‘£0 activation’ or ‘no setup fees’.
The terms may be different but they all mean the same thing: less money you need to pay up front for your broadband.
Signing up to a new broadband deal is simple as the provider handles most of the switch for you.
All you’ll need to do is set the date, arrange an engineer visit if required and make sure you’re home when they are due.
If an engineer isn’t required, you’ll just need to be home to receive the router on a given day. You’ll then need to follow some simple instructions to connect the router and set up your broadband.
Assistance will be available if you have any issues setting up your broadband, but it is very straightforward.
Otherwise, finding broadband deals and switching providers as simple as it gets!
Is broadband with no upfront cost always cheaper in the long run?
Broadband with no upfront cost is not always cheaper in the long run. It can be cheaper, but it’s important to check the monthly cost and the overall cost of the deal so you can compare.
Some providers will not charge an upfront fee but will instead include it in the monthly cost.
Others will offer free broadband setup as part of a special offer or deal or offer a free gift or voucher worth more than the setup fee.
However, the cost of those ‘free’ gifts or incentives can often be rolled into the monthly fee. It’s well worth comparing carefully to make sure you’re getting the good deal you think you are!
While all that may sound complicated and seemingly impossible to decipher, we have made it as easy as possible.
Broadband.co.uk offers a cost comparison that shows you the total price of broadband deals over the first year to help you decide which deal is best.
Enter your postcode into the checker, search for deals in your area and check the price.
Make sure to check both the monthly price and the total cost over the term to get a true comparison.
Can I get a broadband, phone and TV bundle with no upfront costs?
Yes, you can often get a broadband, phone and TV bundle with no upfront costs but typically as part of a new customer discount or special offer.
Some providers are content to provide broadband with no setup but bundles can be more complex and require more setup. That increases costs for the provider, which they often pass on to customers.
You may find special offers, sales or seasonal discounts or other offer that includes free setup, but it’s not typical.
There is always room for negotiation though.
Even if you’re buying online, you can often engage the provider direct through web chat and request they discount those upfront costs in return for you becoming a customer.
As new customers can be hard to come by right now, there is a lot of space to negotiate!
What are the pros and cons of no upfront cost deals?
Even though not paying upfront for broadband sounds like an entirely good thing, there are both pros and cons to it.
Pros of broadband with no upfront costs:
- No extra fee on top of your first month’s contract cost
- Lower financial barrier to entry for your chosen broadband deal
Cons of broadband with no upfront costs:
- The upfront cost may be included in the monthly charge making it more expensive over the term of the contract
- Not all providers off no setup fees on all deals which means you may miss out on certain offers
There’s no question that finding broadband with no upfront costs is a benefit.
However, as not all providers offer no setup fees on all deals, it’s up to you to figure out which is most important.
For example, if you want cable broadband with Virgin Media, you’ll often need to pay a setup fee.
If you have limited providers in your area and want the fastest option, you may have to pay the upfront cost or go with a slower broadband deal.
Frequently asked questions about broadband with no upfront costs
Can I get broadband with no upfront costs without a credit check?
Yes, you can get broadband and phone deals with no upfront costs without a credit check. Providers such as NOW, Plusnet and BT Home Essentials (social tariff for benefit recipients) do not do checks. Most broadband providers only perform light credit checks anyway, which won’t usually take into account your credit history or score.
How long will it take for my broadband to be installed?
Broadband installation can take between 14-28 days to arrange and between 1-3 hours to physically install. Most broadband providers require a minimum of 14 days’ notice to arrange installation. The physical installation time depends on whether an engineer visit is required or not.
Will I get a free router with my broadband deal with no upfront costs?
Yes, you will still get a free router with your broadband deal. A router is essential for accessing the service so it will be provided at the outset. You should still be able to use your own router if you prefer but the provider should definitely provide a router to access the broadband.