How to set up your Internet, TV and home phone connection

Landline and broadband

• A home phone is called a “landline” in the UK.
• An Internet connection is often called “broadband”.

Home phone and Internet providers

Most Internet providers will offer an “obligatory” landline together with the broadband package – which is the equivalent of a minimum charge of roughly £20 per month to get a phone and Internet connection.

Fibre is not available everywhere in London, contrary to what one could believe.

Internet speeds vary depending on your address. You can check the speed on your street here:

https://labs2.thinkbroadband.com/local/postcode-search

Types of contracts

• Most contracts will tie you in for 12 to 24 months.
• Generally speaking, you will pay more for a higher Internet speed.

How to choose a provider

Check your postcode to find the latest broadband deals, fastest speeds and prices for your new home with this handy broadband postcode checker

Alternatively, you can use price comparison websites to compare deals and providers:

• https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/
• https://www.gocompare.com/broadband/

How to register with a provider

In most cases, you can place your order online.

To place your order with your chosen provider, you will require the following information:

• Your first and last name
• Your marital status
• Your date of birth
• Your full address in London
• Your UK mobile number
• A UK bank account details in order to set up the payment.
• For some providers, details of a UK debit/credit card for a small upfront payment.

How long does it take?

The usual time from the supplier accepting your order, to the start of the services including any necessary installations can be up to 21 days. In many cases, it is approximately 14 days.

There are generally two situations:

1. No engineer visit is necessary: you will receive your router by post, you can plug in and play once your connection is activated.
2. An engineer visit is necessary: you will choose the day of their visit, they will come along and set up everything. This is mostly the case when you have a broadband and TV package.

Your provider will tell you whether the engineer visit is required, when you place your order. You can also call them in advance to find out, they should be able to tell you, but you need to know which type of package you want.

How about TV channels?

Many landline and broadband packages can include additional TV options that you can subscribe to, if you wish. But you can also subscribe to a TV package with a different provider.

You can check out TV packages here: https://www.comparethemarket.com/digital-tv/

English television channels are available without subscription (60 channels), either by satellite or digital terrestrial aerial, using a digital receiver (Freeview or Freesat, for example) connected to your main television.

You can find examples of digital receivers here.

If you buy a new television in London, it will probably already be equipped with a digital receiver.