Best broadband with no upfront costs or installation fees

If you’re interested in switching to a new broadband package with a different provider then you’ll be pleased to know there are some excellent deals out there. However, you may be concerned about installation fees and setup costs. If that’s the case, we have some good news - broadband deals with no upfront charges are now available.

Let’s take a look at what the broadband providers have to offer with all the info you need about no upfront costs and installation fees.

What type of broadband comes with no installation fees?

All of the common types of broadband are available without installation costs or upfront charges. So that covers ADSL broadband through your landline, superfast fibre-optic connections (both full fibre and part fibre) landline and cable broadband.

Technically, no type of broadband requires setup charges - that comes down to the provider’s discretion. If you already have the connections in place, it will be easier to avoid any upfront costs, but if you need a new installation (for example if you’re getting fibre for the first time) you may have to pay for the labour - especially if you go with one of the big-name brands.

That said, many suppliers do offer broadband deals with no upfront costs, especially smaller companies or during sale seasons. The thing to do is to compare a selection of the latest deals from a range of providers, that way you can see which option suits you best.

What broadband setup fees might I have to pay?

There are several upfront costs that you may have to shell out for when you choose a new broadband plan. Some of them are:

Standard installation costs: An installation fee is the sum of money you will have to spend for an engineer to visit your home and set up your broadband. This normally happens if you are switching to a new type of broadband which involves more work than just connecting a router (like full fibre) or if you need a brand new landline connection.

Extra installation costs: You might have to pay more if you need a new connection built, particularly if it's full fibre and the labour job is a tricky one. The price of extra equipment or cabling may be included in this.

Activation charges: Some providers impose fees on customers when they turn on a new broadband service. Although this is less frequent than in the past, make sure to review the terms of the deal before making a commitment.

Delivery fees: Some companies could ask you to pay for the new router's delivery. Be sure to check the terms of your service if this is something you're keen to avoid. Also, keep in mind that certain providers may request that you send their router back if you move to a different provider at a later date.

Which broadband providers charge installation fees?

Most broadband providers charge for setup and installation costs at some point or with some deals. The thing to do is look out for special deals that don’t include upfront fees, or shop around during a sale period (Christmas/January/ Black Friday etc).

That said, larger providers tend to include setup fees more than smaller name brands. For instance, BT often charges between £29.99 to £59.99 to set up a new broadband and TV service. Virgin Media usually includes setup fees too - although that’s because their service is more likely to require a new installation (unless you had a Virgin Media deal previously).

This is why comparing deals is always worth your while - if you’re currently looking at a deal with eyebrow raising installation costs you’ll always be able to find an alternative without them by checking our broadband deals tables.

Which broadband providers come with free installation?

Plenty of UK broadband providers promote deals that come with free installation. Regardless of whether you’re looking for traditional ADSL broadband, superfast fibre optic broadband, or a broadband and home phone combo deal, you’ll be able to find the right plan with no upfront costs and free installation.

Compare no upfront cost deals from trusted providers such as:

Do I need an engineer to install my broadband?

No, you can usually install your own broadband using the simple instructions that your internet supplier will provide - it’s often just a case of plugging in and activating a router. By doing this, you can avoid relying on an engineer to set up your broadband service which saves both time and money.

However, you will need an engineer if you're getting a broadband service installed for the first time, like full fibre, or if your property doesn't have a phone line.

Pros and cons of broadband with no upfront costs

Saving money is always a plus, and cutting out upfront costs is usually a great way to reduce your expenses. That said, it’s always good to have a balanced outlook and in some cases a broadband deal with no setup charges may not be right for you in other ways. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons involved with no installation fee broadband deals:

Pros

Wide choice of deals: There’s a strong selection of deals with no upfront costs to choose from. So you can easily compare price plans across providers.

Save on installation fees: Installation charges may be high, particularly if you need to install a new phone line in your property. So a broadband plan with no upfront costs is a big money saver.

Cons

Could cost more in the long run: Offers that have no setup fees aren't always the most affordable ones overall. Providers will occasionally offer a lower monthly fee in return for a larger setup charge.

Losing out on the best speeds: The installation of certain full fibre packages can be more complicated, therefore you may have to stump up the cash out for an engineer to benefit from the fastest broadband available.

Page last updated 18 April 2025

Catherine Hiley

Catherine Hiley

Managing Editor for Broadband and Mobile

Reviewed by Kate Griffin

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