| Students are often held to be a race apart for | | | | want these services should be prepared to either |
| completely ridiculous reasons or, actually, the not | | | | plump for a long tenancy or commit to paying for |
| so ridiculous reason that they're deemed to be | | | | the minimum term whether you plan on staying |
| easy to sell things to. | | | | with the provider for all that time or not. |
| In the case of internet access, though, students | | | | Most broadband providers don't have a penalty |
| do have a set of needs which isn't matched | | | | for leaving as such. As with mobile phone |
| almost anywhere else. | | | | contracts, you'll be expected to pay out the end |
| They have short leases, a lack of money, are | | | | of your contract. |
| likely to be sharing connections with a large group | | | | Beyond that, sharing a connection with a good |
| of people and, most importantly, have a real need | | | | few people needs two things: a decent wireless |
| for fast and reliable internet access as more and | | | | router and a healthy download limit. |
| more of their course resources and university | | | | Luckily, wireless routers are far from restricted to |
| information goes online. | | | | broadband for students and now come free with |
| For these reasons not all broadband deals are | | | | almost all broadband deals. |
| going to be suitable for them. Those with long | | | | However, bear in mind that you'll sometimes have |
| contracts are likely to be out straight away, for | | | | to pay for the postage of your shiny new router |
| example, and as some providers with the longest | | | | so that's a cost to take into account. |
| contracts are also the cheapest broadband | | | | When it comes to download limits it's generally |
| providers that can be a problem. | | | | best to opt for an unlimited option as this |
| There are still plenty of options for broadband | | | | eliminates the risk of a fight breaking out when |
| access over 12 months, though, and even for | | | | someone spends a weekend downloading music |
| shorter periods. | | | | and you all get charged for going over a limit. |
| Many providers do deals which roll over three | | | | However, be aware that almost all broadband |
| months and, though they tend to be more rare | | | | deals come with a fair use limit and this is |
| and more expensive, there are also some which | | | | sometimes more or less fair depending on the |
| offer one month rolling contracts. | | | | company that you're using. |
| The other problem is that the providers with long | | | | If you're a household of technology students all |
| contracts tend to also be those who provide TV | | | | big on P2P this is worth checking out. Otherwise, |
| services by cable or satellite bundled with | | | | though, it's unlikely to be a problem. |
| broadband (e.g. Sky or Virgin) so students who | | | | |