12-month broadband deals
A year seems like a nice round number if you’re signing up to an agreement. Unfortunately, 12-month broadband packages are now much harder to come by, as providers favour much longer 18 or 24-month contract lengths.
But that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to find! With the right approach, you can still secure a great broadband package with a one-year contract.
In this guide, we’ll explore the providers offering 12-month broadband deals, compare your options, and look at alternatives like one-month rolling contracts.
What are my options for broadband with a 12-month contract?
If you're looking for a short-term broadband contract, here are the providers still offering one-year broadband deals in the UK:
4th Utility
- Full fibre packages (FTTP) with download speeds from 100Mb to 900Mb
- No set up fees on 12-month contracts
- 1-month rolling contracts also available (with a £20 set-up fee)
BeFibre
- 12-month contracts with a fixed price guarantee (no mid-contract price rises)
- High-speed broadband with BeFibre Be2300 offering up to 2.2Gb download speeds
Community Fibre (London-based)
- 12 and 24-month contract options available
- Speeds from 150Mb to 1Gb fibre broadband
- Expect to pay £7-£9 more per month for a 12-month contract
Cuckoo
- No set-up fees and a fixed price promise
- Symmetrical speeds (upload and download speeds are equal)
- Expect to pay around £5 more per month for the flexibility of a shorter contract
Hyperoptic
- Offers both 12-month contracts and rolling monthly deals
- Symmetrical speeds (same download and upload speeds)
- Limited UK coverage, as it runs on its own fibre network
Onestream
- Available in 12 or 24-month options
- Costs £3-£6 more per month for a 12-month contract
- Higher out-of-contract prices and annual price increases
Rebel Internet
- Specialises in short-term broadband, with 12-month and 1-month deals
- No set-up fees on 12-month contracts
- Offers download speeds from 74Mb to 944Mb (on Openreach fibre)
Student broadband deals – what are your options?
Find the best broadband deals to suit term time can be tricky, especially if you’re only renting a property for 9 months. Unfortunately, student broadband deals aren’t very common, with 12-month contracts being the best option.
Here are some other student-friendly internet options:
Rolling monthly broadband
- No minimum term. Short-term contracts are good for students moving frequently
- Slightly higher monthly price for the flexibility
- Available from providers such as Rebel Internet, Hyperoptic, 4th Utility and Quickline
Student Broadband Discounts
Although contracts may still be 12 months, providers may offer special student broadband offers (such as ‘first three months free’), which makes paying the extra months more bearable. Keep an eye out around August or September for these special offers.
Mobile Broadband
- A flexible option that can be cancelled at any time
- Works anywhere, without the need for a fixed line
- Speeds and coverage may vary, so check before you buy
- May not be a reliable service for online gamers
- A mobile home broadband service from Three comes with unlimited downloads
Pros and cons of a 12-month broadband deal
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Frequently asked questions about 12-month broadband deals
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Can you get broadband for just 6 months?
6 month contracts aren’t really an option. Your best alternative is a no-contract, rolling monthly deal.
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Can you cancel a 12-month broadband plan early?
Yes, but you are likely to have to pay an early termination fee. Exceptions may be given for illness or if you haven’t been supplied with a reliable broadband service. If your provider follows Ofcom’s Broadband Speed Code of Practice, you may cancel without a charge if your speeds are constantly below the quoted rate in your contract.
Find more help in our guide: 'how to cancel a broadband contract early'.
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Does Sky have 12-month broadband deals?
No. Sky currently only offers 24-month contracts.
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Does TalkTalk have 12-month broadband deals?
Not for regular home broadband customers. However, it does offer six months of free and unlimited superfast fibre broadband (35Mb) to jobseekers. Find out more in our guide to broadband on benefits.
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Which broadband providers offer one-year deals?
You can currently sign up to 12-month broadband contracts from: 4th Utility, BeFibre, Community Fibre, Cuckoo, Hull Fibre, Hyperoptic, Onestream and Rebel Internet.
The round-up:
12-month deals may be harder to find. Many of the larger broadband providers, including TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Sky and BT only offer longer term packages. But they are still available.
One-year broadband deals are ideal if you want more flexibility from a broadband contract. However, expect to pay slightly higher monthly prices and set-up fees compared to 18 or 24-month contracts.
For students or renters needing an even shorter-term broadband option, rolling monthly contracts or mobile broadband could be a better fit.
Using Broadband Genie’s postcode checker to find the best 12-month broadband deals: