Free BT Broadband offer (up to 17Mb)

[Taz]

I got a letter from BT today saying that my account is eligible for a free upgrade. It's 'up to' 17Mb and 40GB capped, so nothing to write home about. I already have Virgin Media VIVID 200. However, there is the very odd occasion when VM broadband is down. It happens only once or twice a year.

Is it worth signing up for the BT offer as a backup broadband? BT says it's completely free. It does mean signing up for a 12-month contract with BT and they say it'll remain free after the 12-month contract.

[Hoonigan]

As long as you don't mind paying their line rental fee... Around £18 I think.

[cptwhite_uk]

It's to keep you subscribing to the line rental presumably. I've recently cancelled my BT line (also with Virgin Vivid 200) and if it were ever down I have 5Gb 4G broardband with Plusnet which gives me 40-50Mbs where I am, for £10 a month and it covers my mobile usage too.

[Ttaskmaster]

My BT account is elligible for a free upgrade, too... shame my line isn't!!

For only once or twice a year, I'd say it's a complete waste of money, even if it's free.

[Zak33]

its ADSL Max, not infinity, obviously

and as the posts above say, you have to pay Line Rental .. so it's not great tbh

[pp05]

For backup broadband you're better off with a mobile solution if the reception in your house is decent and if your router has a usb port that can make use of it even better. I know Drayteks offer this.

BT keep moving the goalposts and the CS is a nightmare if they mess your order up. My contract is up next month and I can't wait to cancel.

[jim]

I got a letter from BT today saying that my account is eligible for a free upgrade. It's 'up to' 17Mb and 40GB capped, so nothing to write home about. I already have Virgin Media VIVID 200. However, there is the very odd occasion when VM broadband is down. It happens only once or twice a year.

Is it worth signing up for the BT offer as a backup broadband? BT says it's completely free. It does mean signing up for a 12-month contract with BT and they say it'll remain free after the 12-month contract.

If you really want cheap ADSL you're normally best off waiting for a special offer and / or cashback deal to pop up.

When I was on ADSL I was often paying effectively £0-5pcm for the package over 12 months, including telephone, line rental and broadband.

If they're offering you free broadband whilst paying for line rental, then no it's not a great deal.

[Taz]

I've for 4GB of data with Three on my mobile which I suppose I could in case of emergency. Yeah, I guess it's to keep me with BT for another 12 months. I'll leave it then.