Sky has emerged as the provider offering some of the cheapest broadband deals out of the major companies, according to a new customer survey.

Among Sky users receiving speeds between 100 and 249 megabits per second (Mbps), a quarter reported paying less than £21 per month – the highest proportion of the providers listed.[1] A fraction of these users (2%) even said they’re charged between £11 and £15.

The figures come from Go.Compare broadband, which surveyed users on how much they’re paying for their packages. It found that the major providers generally charge between £21 and £30 per month for broadband speeds in the 100 to 249Mbps range – the most commonly bought speeds. However, Sky appears most likely to undercut this price.

Virgin Media and Vodafone tied for second place in the survey, with 13% of both providers’ users paying £20 or less for these speeds. The vast majority pay between £16 and £20, although 4% of Vodafone’s users are charged less, and 1% of Virgin Media’s users pay £10 or under.

Around one in 10 (12%) BT customers said they pay below the £21 mark. But, impressively, 4% said they pay just £10 per month or less. Similarly, 11% of EE’s users pay prices under £21, and 6% are in the lowest price bracket of £11 or less – the most of the providers listed.

Virgin Media is the most popular broadband provider

Although Sky leads the way in competitive pricing, it’s not the most popular. Many users preferred Virgin Media, with a fifth of those in the study getting their broadband through this provider.

Sky came a narrow second, with 18% stating that they use this company for their broadband. BT was third with 16%, while EE and Vodafone were joint fourth with 8% of respondents each saying they use them.

Virgin Media also proved the most popular with younger users. A fifth of under-35s said they are with this provider, 5% more than Sky, this group’s next most used company. Over-55s slightly prefer BT over Virgin Media, although the difference is minor – 20% are with BT and 19% are with Virgin Media.

Matt Sanders, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said: “Broadband users will always want a deal with the fastest speeds for the lowest price possible. Our statistics suggest that Sky are providing a high proportion of users with below-average prices for decent speeds, highlighting them as a strong choice for cost-conscious customers.

“But price isn’t the only factor to consider when deciding on the right broadband deal for you. Reliability and good quality customer service are also important. Plus, many broadband deals include extras like TV packages, so while one might be low-cost, another might be better value for money when all the additions are taken into account.

“For this reason, before committing to a package, it’s always a good idea to compare providers to find out which offers the best deal for your needs. Doing so regularly will make sure you’re still getting the best offer possible.”

More figures on the best broadband providers can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

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