Broadband and phone bundles include a broadband deal, along with a home phone plan, all in one package from the same provider.
Why bundle your Broadband & Phone?
There are several reasons why you might bundle your broadband and phone in one package:
- If you need both broadband and a home phone, you can normally get a discount by bundling the two and getting them both from the same provider.
- You’ll only have to deal with one provider - and one monthly bill - instead of several.
- Some providers require you to have a phone line in order to supply broadband to your home, so it can make sense to include a phone plan with your broadband, as the line is already there.
Phone & broadband packages and providers
Most broadband providers offer a plan that includes a home phone element:
- eir’s broadband and phone deals have broadband speeds of up to 100Mb, and call packages which include free calls to Irish and UK mobiles. You can also add on international calls if that’s something you need. With all of these packages, the eir Sport pack comes as standard.
- Pure Telecom has a couple of broadband and phone packages, so you’ll need to decide whether you’re happy with calls to landlines, or you need to be able to call mobiles, too. Broadband speeds with these bundles go up to 100Mb.
- Sky broadband and phone plans come with broadband speeds up to 100Mb, and either off-peak or anytime calls, depending on which package you opt for.
- Virgin Media is not available all over Ireland. However, in areas where it is available, the provider has several broadband and home phone bundles, with broadband speeds of up to 360Mbps and a variety of different options for your home phone plan.
- With Vodafone, there are two packages to choose from, and you’ll need to decide whether you want to opt for calls to landlines only, or you’d like to be able to call mobiles, too.
There are a variety of plans available, depending on where you live and what kind of calls package you want, so make sure to compare deals carefully before choosing a plan.
How to compare broadband & home phone deals in Ireland
When you’re comparing broadband and phone providers, there are a few things to think about.
- Price. For most people, price will be the most important factor when it comes to choosing a broadband package. There are some very good deals to choose from in the Irish market now, with huge discounts available on certain plans, especially when you sign up to a new provider.
- Broadband speed. Research shows that, after price, speed is the most important thing to consumers when they’re choosing between broadband providers. The speed you can get will depend on the broadband provider you go for and the type of broadband available where you live.
- Contract length. Most broadband and phone contracts are 12-18 months long, so be sure to check this before you sign up, and make sure you know when your discount period ends, and how much you will pay after that.
- Calls package. What’s included in calls packages with broadband and phone plans can vary widely between providers. Make sure you check what’s included and opt for the plan that suits you best - for example, if you have a relative or friend abroad who you call frequently, you might want to go for a package that includes international minutes.
- Installation costs. When you’re comparing deals, make sure you look at the installation costs, as well as the monthly costs. Some providers offer free installation, while with others there’ll be an upfront charge.
Do you want to add TV onto your broadband & phone plan?
If you want a TV plan, as well as broadband and phone, it might be worth looking at a broadband, TV and home phone bundle. Bundling products from one provider will generally save you money, when compared to getting them from different providers, and there tends to be big discounts on these plans, too.
At the moment, there are four providers that offer ‘triple-play’ packages in the Irish market - eir, Sky, Virgin Media and Vodafone.
When comparing broadband, TV and home phone packages, you should think about whether there are any channels you can’t live without, and also consider if there are any extras you want, such as sports channels, or Sky Cinema.
Can I get broadband without phone?
If you don’t use your house phone, and you rarely watch regular TV, you could instead opt for a broadband-only deal. Many providers offer these deals, and opting for a broadband-only plan - along with a subscription for the likes of Netflix or NOW TV - could be a cheaper option than going for a broadband, TV and phone bundle that you don’t use certain elements of.
How do I switch to a broadband & phone plan?
Once you’ve decided to switch, you’ll need to submit an application form for your new broadband product.
Soon, you’ll hear from your new provider, who’ll confirm your application and may ask you for some additional details to help to set up your account with them.
You are then responsible for cancelling your broadband account with your current provider. You will need to give your current broadband provider the relevant notice - as stated in your contract - in order to ensure you can switch without any penalties.
When you contact your current provider, you should also arrange a date to close off your account. Once the account is closed off, you can then cancel all Direct Debits to this provider.
You should also agree an installation date with your new provider, to ensure you avoid any interruption in broadband service.
