Broadband deals for the elderly

What is the best broadband for elderly?

You might want to think about whether you need broadband at all. If you mainly use a mobile phone or rely on a landline for calls, a broadband plan may not be necessary. However, if you do need internet access, the main differentiator between broadband packages is the speed, so the faster the speed, the more you spend - whether it's simple web browsing (which would need speeds of around 10-30Mbps) or more tasking activities like streaming TV shows (30Mbps+).

In general, a good option is a reliable, budget-friendly plan with moderate speeds and minimal add-ons. Providers like BT, Virgin Media, and Vodafone also offer special discounted deals for people receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit. These plans start at around £15/month and are more affordable than standard packages which tend to start around £20-£25/month.

What to look for in a broadband package

When choosing a broadband package, consider the following:

• Affordability: Social broadband tariffs for those on certain benefits tend to be cheaper than usual deals.

• Contract Flexibility: Avoid long-term contracts in case needs change. With social tariffs, you tend not to be locked into a lengthy contract, so you can cancel at any time, but do check first.

• Ease of Use: A provider with good customer support and a simple setup process is ideal. We run a customer service poll twice a year that asks our users to rate their provider and we include these scores in our Broadband comparison tool.

• Speed Requirements: A basic package of around 10-30Mb is usually enough for browsing, email, and video calls. But if you want to stream shows or there's a multiple people browsing the web at the same time, you might want to look at speeds of 30Mb+.

Internet Safety Tips

Elderly people may be more vulnerable to online scams or misinformation. We have 30+ tips on how to spot, avoid and protect yourself against scams, but here's a run down of some of the tips to help keep you safe online:

Use strong, unique passwords for each online account

• Using the same password across multiple sites is risky, if one site is breached, all your accounts using that password are at risk.

• Use passwords that are at least 12 characters long, combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Norton Antivirus have a handy tool to help you generate strong passwords.

• Avoid using names, birthdates, or common words.

• Use a password manager (like LastPass or 1Password) to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each site.

Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or pop-ups asking for personal information

• If your bank contacts you about fraud by email or text, check if that's how they usually contact you. Think about whether it's sensible for the bank to make contact in that way.

How to do it:

Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

• Look closely at the sender's email address as scammers often use addresses that look official at first glance.

• When in doubt, go directly to the official website (e.g., your bank) instead of clicking a link.

Only download software or apps from trusted sources

• Unverified downloads can contain malware or spyware that compromises your device and personal information.

How to do it:

• Stick to official app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Microsoft Store).

• Avoid clicking on download links from random websites or emails.

• Read reviews and check the developer's name before installing.

• Ask family or a trusted friend for help if something seems suspicious

It's better to double-check than to fall for a scam or make a mistake that could cost you money or privacy.