Are you looking for a broadband deal that suits your whole household? We hunt down the best family packages on the market.
It's that time of year again. Kids are about to head back to school, and soon they'll be crowding onto home computers to research schoolwork and complete assignments.
Of course, they'll still want to download music, play games and watch videos on the internet too. And with the rest of your family also surfing the net, things are likely to get a bit crowded.
So what should parents be looking for in a broadband package? Is it possible to get a deal that allows the whole family to make the most of the internet? And is it all going to cost the Earth?
Here, we examine exactly what you should be looking for when it comes to family broadband. And
Usage allowance
If there are several of you under one roof, it's a good idea to get a package with a high monthly usage allowance (sometimes called a download limit).
These deals tend to cost a bit more than their low limit counterparts, but if your family spends several hours a day online, they could actually save you money in the end.
That's because choosing a limited use package - and then exceeding that limit - could land you with hefty additional charges, and even suspension of your services in some cases!
O2, Orange, Tiscali and Virgin Media all offer an unlimited usage allowance on certain packages. So they're perfect if your kids plan to download lots of music or videos, or play games online.
The speed of the package
The speed of the package on offer is also important. Broadband speed is measured in megabits per second (usually shortened to Mb or Meg).
If your whole family wants to access multimedia content, you should probably opt for a deal with a download speed of at least 8Mb.
That way, you'll be able to enjoy things like video, music and internet TV without the frustration of long download delays.
Keeping your kids safe
Internet security is obviously a top priority for families with children. How do you let your kids surf the net and get on with their homework, while still protecting them from unsuitable or harmful material?
Thankfully, many broadband packages now include online security features as standard. This means you can block or restrict access to certain websites using keywords, or keep an eye on the sites your children are visiting.
With AOL, for example, free security software comes as standard. You can customise your settings based on a child's age, control what websites they view and check the messages they send out.
Sky, Virgin Media and O2 also provide free online security features. However, with TalkTalk and Tiscali you'll have to pay more for these services.
Go wireless
Are there several of you trying to use the same internet connection? If so, it might be time to go wireless.
In a nutshell, ‘Wi-Fi technology' allows lots of computers to share a single internet connection without a tangle of cables and other pricey equipment.
That means no one's tied to the home phone point. So, while your son's doing his homework in the study, and your daughter's listening to music in her bedroom - you can be surfing the net at the kitchen table.
Tiscali, Orange and Sky all provide wireless routers at no extra cost, and you'll also get one free if you sign up to Virgin's ‘L' or ‘XL' packages.
Extras
When choosing the best deal for you, keep an eye out for the extras that might add value.
• TalkTalk's ‘Free Broadband' package comes with line rental and free evening and weekend calls from the provider.
• And AOL's Wireless Plus deal comes with an AOL Talk Pay As You Go phone calls package, and a laptop
• Orange's Home Max package includes line rental and free evening and weekend calls from Orange.
• And Sky's Broadband Mid deal includes one Sky TV Mix from Sky's range of six Sky Entertainment Mixes, getting you set for the digital switchover