The Rise of Altnets: Is Your Broadband Bill Fair with the Big Players?

These independent broadband companies are popping up in different parts of the country, promising to shake things up by delivering high-speed internet to areas that have been overlooked. But before you make the leap to one of these smaller, less-established providers, it’s important to ask yourself: Is your broadband bill fair with the big players?

While Altnets like CityFibre, Hyperoptic, and Gigaclear are creating new options, for most UK households, the real choice still lies with the big names—BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and TalkTalk. These companies have nationwide reach, robust customer service, and reliable infrastructure. But are you getting the best deal from them, or could you be paying too much for your broadband?

What Are Altnets?

Altnets (short for Alternative Network Providers) are smaller companies that build their own networks and aim to provide high-speed fiber broadband, often to rural areas or places where the big players haven’t fully rolled out fiber. They’ve gained a lot of attention for their ambitious projects and ultra-fast gigabit speeds, but availability is still very limited.

The Benefits of Sticking with the Big Players

While Altnets might sound like an exciting alternative, for the vast majority of consumers, the major broadband providers are still the go-to option. Here’s why sticking with them might be the best choice:

• Broad Availability: Unlike Altnet providers, who only operate in certain regions, big players like BT, Sky, and Virgin Media offer broadband services to almost every home in the UK. Whether you live in a major city or a small village, you’re likely to have access to one of these well-established providers.
• Proven Reliability: The big players have been in the game for decades and have built reliable, nationwide infrastructure. They’ve worked out the kinks, and their networks are stable. If you value a consistent connection and don’t want to worry about frequent outages, the established providers have a proven track record.
• Better Customer Support: Major broadband providers have large customer service teams and the resources to resolve issues quickly. With thousands of customers, they have streamlined processes for everything from technical support to billing queries. Smaller Altnets may not have the same capacity to deal with issues, leaving you waiting longer for help.
• Faster Installation: When it comes to getting you connected, big providers can usually get things set up faster. They’ve already laid most of the necessary infrastructure, so if you need broadband up and running quickly, they can typically deliver much more efficiently than newer Altnet providers.

The Downsides of Altnet Providers

While Altnets offer faster speeds and new competition, they come with some key downsides that might make you think twice before making the switch:

• Limited Availability: Most Altnets only cover specific areas, and if you’re outside their network, you won’t be able to get their services.
• Reliability Issues: Smaller, newer networks can sometimes face more outages or delays in fixing problems compared to larger providers.
• Customer Service Concerns: Altnets often lack the resources of the big players when it comes to customer support. If something goes wrong, it might take longer to resolve.

With these limitations in mind, it’s clear that for most people, sticking with one of the major providers is still the most reliable option. But how do you know if you’re getting a fair deal with them?

Is Your Broadband Bill Fair?

Even with the big players, many consumers are paying more than they need to for their broadband. ismybillfair is here to help you figure out if you’re overpaying and how to get a better deal—without switching to a smaller, less-established provider.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enter Your Details: Input your current broadband bill and provider details on ismybillfair.
2. See if your bill is fair: We’ll show you what others are paying for similar services from the same provider, helping you understand if your bill is higher than average.
3. Get a Better Deal: If you’re overpaying, we’ll help you explore better deals available from the major broadband players. You don’t have to switch to an Altnet or worry about availability.

How to Save Without Switching to an Altnet

While Altnets might offer tempting speeds, most people want a service they can trust from providers with a long-standing reputation. If you’re looking to lower your broadband bill, ismybillfair can help you negotiate a better rate with your current provider or find a cheaper deal with another big player. No need to worry about availability or customer service, you’ll be getting the best of both worlds: savings and reliability.

Final Thoughts

Altnet providers are an exciting new option in the UK broadband market, but for most people, the big players are still the best choice. Whether you’re looking for nationwide availability, reliable service, or top-notch customer support, the established providers have you covered.

But that doesn’t mean you should settle for paying more than you need to. Use ismybillfair to check if your broadband bill is fair, and let us help you secure a better deal with one of the major providers. You could save money without switching to an Altnet and still enjoy fast, reliable broadband.