This £30 broadband rule proves whether you’re paying over the odds

Are you spending too much on your WiFi? (Picture: Getty Images)

In the 21st century, lightning-fast WiFi is non-negotiable.

Whether you’re working from home and need quality broadband to avoid awkward Zoom cut-outs, or your Netflix marathons require pristine visuals, everyone has their reasons in this digitally switched-on world.

But the main problem? People often pay too much money to ensure impeccable services.

According to Which?, no one should be shelling out more than £30 per month for a good broadband connection – and if you are, ‘your connection is probably costing more than it needs to.’

Regardless of whether you’re mid-contract or you’re looking for a new provider, there are plenty of ways to stick to the consumer champion’s £30 rule.

Here’s everything you need to know to get online for less.

How much should you be spending on broadband?

Last year, Martin Lewis provided monetary broadband guidelines on weekly Podcast.

The Money Saving Expert founder echoed Which? advice, saying that even with the highest speeds available, £30 or more a month is too expensive – and it should be cheaper still for services with lower speeds.

Comparison sites are one of the best ways to find out whether your current broadband deal is too expensive (Picture: Getty Images)

‘For a simple fibre cheap deal when you factor everything in, including phone line, I’d be looking for around £20 to £22 a month,’ he explained, noting that most people are paying £40 to £45 a month for these services.

For over 100MB, Martin stated he’d pay no more than a pound extra, making the final price £21 to £22 a month, while 500MB (which he labelled as the cheapest deals overall) should come in at under £30 a month.

Why do people get caught out?

In terms of why people end up paying over the odds, it’s often if they’ve had the same contract for years and it switches to ‘rolling,’ where the contract automatically starts again after the previous one ends.

Matthew Sheeran, money saving expert at Money Wellness, tells Metro: ‘A lot of people end up on expensive broadband deals because their contract has ended and they’ve been quietly rolled onto a pricier rate.

‘Others might have signed up for bells and whistles they don’t actually use, like super-fast speeds for a one-bed flat or bundled extras they didn’t ask for.

‘And with prices going up mid-contract, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re actually paying.’

How to bag cheaper deals

If you’ve ever read, watched or listened to any Martin Lewis content, you’ll know he’s always talking about comparison sites.

When looking for cheaper deals, the likes of Compare the Market, Go Compare, and MoneySuperMarket all offer broadband package comparisons, showing you the best prices from multiple companies, along with factors like contract length, average speed, and set-up cost.

Simply input your postcode or address, and the site will direct you to the best deals for your area.

Alternatively, if you’re happy with your speed and current provider but think the price is a little high, you can get in touch with them and try to negotiate a cheaper deal.

This is often done when your contract is ending: if you’ve put in your research and found a better deal elsewhere, your current provider may offer to price match – or even lower the monthly costs – as an incentive to keep you as a customer.

However, Matthew also reveals that if you’re on a low income or certain benefits, you could pay even less thanks to social tariffs.

‘Social tariffs are discounted broadband deals for people on benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit or ESA. They’re not advertised widely, so it’s easy to miss them. But they can save you a lot,’ he explains.

If this is you, check your current provider to see if they offer social tariffs. If they don’t, shop around and switch to a provider that does.

Sometimes, instant eligibility checks are offered during the application process to save you any faff later down the line. Typically, it only requires your National Insurance number. In some cases though, you might need to complete a credit check.

What deals are available right now?

To help you out even more, Matthew shared some deals under £30 available as of May 2025:

• Vodafone Essentials Broadband – £20 a month for people on benefits.
• Sky Basics – also £20 a month if you’re claiming Universal Credit.
• TalkTalk Fibre 35 – from £23 a month, with no setup fee.
• NOW Broadband – £23 a month, on a 12-month contract.
• Community Fibre (if you’re in London) – from just £21 a month, with no mid-contract price hikes.

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