Getting connected to the internet shouldn’t cost you a fortune before you even start browsing. Many UK broadband providers now offer free installation deals to help new customers get online without the burden of hefty setup fees. These deals can save you anywhere from £50 to £150 in initial costs, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious households and businesses alike.
Free installation deals have become increasingly common as providers compete for customers in the saturated UK broadband market. Understanding what these offers include and how to find the best ones can help you make significant savings while getting the internet service you need.
Why Choose Broadband with Free Installation?
Standard broadband installation typically costs between £60 and £120, depending on your provider and the complexity of the setup required. This upfront expense can be particularly challenging for students, young professionals, or families already stretching their budgets to cover monthly broadband costs.
Free installation deals eliminate this barrier, allowing you to get connected immediately without worrying about initial setup costs. This is especially valuable if you’re moving house and need to quickly establish internet access for work, study, or staying in touch with family and friends.
The savings become even more significant if your property requires additional work, such as running new cables or installing external equipment. Some complex installations can cost upwards of £200, making free installation offers particularly attractive for properties without existing broadband infrastructure.
Many providers also waive activation fees, which can add another £20-50 to your initial costs. Combined with free installation, these offers can save you substantial money that you can put towards other moving expenses or simply keep in your pocket.
Top Providers Offering Free Broadband Installation in the UK
BT leads the market in free installation offers, frequently providing free standard installation for new customers signing up to their fibre packages. Their Openreach network covers most of the UK, making them accessible to the majority of households. BT typically waives installation fees for customers committing to 18-month or 24-month contracts.
Sky regularly offers free installation as part of their broadband and TV bundles. They often combine this with other incentives like free Sky TV for several months or discounted monthly rates. Sky’s installation service includes setting up your Sky Hub router and ensuring all connected devices work properly.
Virgin Media frequently provides free installation for their superfast cable broadband services, particularly in areas where they’re expanding their network coverage. Their installation includes setting up the Virgin Media Hub and connecting TV services if you’re taking a bundle package.
TalkTalk often waives installation fees for customers signing up to their fibre packages, particularly during promotional periods. They’ve been aggressive in their pricing strategy, using free installation as a key selling point to attract customers from larger competitors.
Plusnet, BT’s value brand, regularly offers free installation to new customers. They focus on providing straightforward broadband packages with minimal additional costs, making free installation a natural fit for their value proposition.
EE combines their mobile and broadband expertise by offering free installation to customers taking both services. This can be particularly attractive if you’re already an EE mobile customer or looking to consolidate your communications services with one provider.
Hyperoptic specialises in full-fibre broadband for apartment blocks and new developments. They often provide free installation as standard, particularly in buildings where they’re establishing their service for the first time.
Types of Broadband Connections Eligible for Free Installation
Standard ADSL broadband frequently qualifies for free installation, as it uses existing telephone lines and requires minimal setup work. This makes it cost-effective for providers to waive installation fees, particularly when competing for price-conscious customers.
Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connections, which deliver speeds up to around 80Mbps, commonly include free installation offers. These connections use existing copper wiring from the street cabinet to your home, keeping installation complexity and costs relatively low.
Full-fibre broadband (FTTP), offering the fastest speeds available, increasingly includes free installation deals. As providers roll out fibre networks across the UK, they’re using free installation as an incentive to encourage early adoption in newly covered areas.
Cable broadband through Virgin Media’s network often comes with free installation, particularly for customers taking bundled services. The company has invested heavily in their network infrastructure and uses free installation to maximise uptake in their coverage areas.
Business broadband packages sometimes include free installation, especially for small businesses or home offices. Providers recognise that businesses need reliable connectivity from day one and use free installation to remove barriers to switching.
What’s Included in ‘Free Installation’?
A standard free installation typically covers an engineer visit to your property to set up your broadband connection. This includes connecting your router, testing the line quality, and ensuring your service is working properly before the engineer leaves.
Most free installation packages include the basic equipment you need to get online: a router or hub, ethernet cables, and power adapters. Some providers also include wireless extenders or boosters if your property has connectivity issues that standard equipment can’t resolve.
The engineer will usually test your connection speed and signal quality throughout your property to identify any potential issues. They’ll also provide basic setup guidance for your devices and answer questions about using your new broadband service.
Free installation often covers simple internal wiring work, such as connecting your master socket to your router or installing additional telephone extensions. However, extensive rewiring or structural modifications typically fall outside the scope of free installation offers.
Many providers include a follow-up service as part of their free installation package. This might involve a phone call a few days after installation to check everything is working correctly and address any concerns you might have.
How to Find the Best Free Installation Broadband Deals
Timing your search can significantly impact the deals available to you. Providers often launch their best free installation offers during peak moving seasons (spring and summer) or around major shopping periods like Black Friday and January sales.
Comparison websites provide an excellent starting point for finding free installation deals. Sites like Broadband Genie, Cable.co.uk, and MoneySuperMarket regularly update their listings to show current promotions, making it easy to spot providers offering free setup.
Contact providers directly to ask about current promotions. Many companies have unpublished offers they can apply to your account, particularly if you’re switching from a competitor or bundling multiple services.
Check social media channels and provider websites for flash promotions or limited-time offers. Many companies announce special deals through their Twitter or Facebook accounts before updating their main promotional materials.
Consider the total cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on free installation. A package with free installation but higher monthly costs might ultimately be more expensive than one with a small setup fee but lower ongoing charges.
Potential Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Delivery charges for equipment can sometimes apply even when installation is free. Some providers charge £5-15 for posting your router and setup equipment, which partially offsets the value of free installation.
Cancellation fees often apply regardless of whether you received free installation. These can range from £30 for monthly contracts to over £200 for long-term agreements, so consider your commitment carefully.
Premium installation services typically cost extra even when standard installation is free. If your property needs complex wiring work, external cable installation, or weekend/evening appointments, additional charges usually apply.
Third-party service calls can result in charges if problems arise after installation. While the initial setup might be free, subsequent engineer visits to resolve issues or make modifications often incur fees of £50-100.
Early termination penalties sometimes increase if you’ve received free installation, as providers factor this cost into their contract terms. Read the small print carefully to understand any additional obligations tied to your free installation offer.
Comparing Broadband Packages with No Setup Fees
Monthly costs should be your primary comparison point after identifying providers offering free installation. Factor in promotional pricing periods and what you’ll pay once any introductory offers end.
Contract length affects your total commitment and flexibility. While longer contracts often secure better monthly rates and free installation, they reduce your ability to switch if better deals become available.
Speed requirements vary significantly between households. Consider your usage patterns – streaming, gaming, video calls, and multiple device usage all impact the speed you need. Free installation becomes less valuable if the package doesn’t meet your performance requirements.
Customer service quality can make a significant difference to your broadband experience. Research provider reviews and complaints data from Ofcom to understand how different companies handle technical issues and customer queries.
Additional services bundled with your broadband package can provide extra value. Free installation combined with inclusive calls, TV packages, or mobile services might offer better overall value than standalone broadband deals.
Moving Forward with Your Free Installation Deal
Free broadband installation deals represent genuine savings for UK consumers, but the value depends on choosing the right provider and package for your needs. By understanding what these offers include and comparing total costs rather than focusing solely on upfront savings, you can make an informed decision that benefits your household or business long-term.
The broadband market continues to evolve with new technologies and competitive pressures. Providers will likely maintain free installation offers as a key tool for attracting customers, particularly as full-fibre networks expand across the country. Taking advantage of these deals now can help you access faster, more reliable internet while keeping your costs manageable.
