WIREDGOV

And with a hundred and one decisions to make –from where to live to how to manage finances – choices over what phone and internet deal to get can often be pushed to the back of the queue.

But at the same time it’s important to keep connected at college and to make sure you’re also getting the best value for money.

That’s why Ofcom has put together the following guide for students on the communications services they may need during their studies.

It provides a simple overview of what communications services you may need and how to get them. It also suggests how you can save money on these services.

Fixed or mobile?

You’ve probably already got a mobile phone so do you need a landline as well?

If you’re in halls of residence there is normally a landline provided. If you’re in a shared house, you’ll need to consider whether you need one and how the bills will be shared between your housemates.

Fixed broadband access or wi-fi is provided in most halls but if you’re in a shared house you’ll need to consider whether you need fixed or mobile broadband.

Fixed broadband tends to be faster and more reliable than mobile broadband as it uses wires rather than airwaves.

Fixed line broadband services also generally have more generous download limits if you intend to use broadband for more than just internet browsing and emails.

But mobile broadband can be more flexible as you can also use it outside of your home,pay monthly rather than signing up to a long contract and you also don’t need to have a landline or cable installed first.

How do I get it?

If you decide you would like a landline and you’re in a house share, check if there’s a phone socket available. You can approach any communications provider and ask them to provide a landline service.

They will be able to check if the line works or if it has been disconnected. If it has been disconnected you may need to pay a reconnection charge of around £100, depending on the provider.

Think about the other costs such as line rental, costs of calls made and any other charges for paper bills or for leaving a contract early.

Once you have a landline you can either get broadband through the same provider or you can get it from a different provider that may be cheaper or faster depending on your needs.

If speed is important to you it’s worth looking at Ofcom’s video guide on broadband speeds.

If you decide to get mobile broadband you should think about what kind of package is right for your needs.

Ofcom also has a guide on what to consider when getting mobile broadband.

You can also use our mobile broadband coverage checker to see what coverage is like in your area from the five mobile providers.

Contract or Pay As You Go?

There are many ways to keep costs down.

Pay as you go (PAYG) means you can keep an eye on how much you’re spending and you won’t be tied into a contract.

A SIM only deal may be right for you if you’re not interested in having the latest phone but want a monthly allowance of inclusive minutes and texts.

To compare different packages, consider using the Ofcom-accredited price comparison website Bill Monitor.

The site allows you to input your billing account details and BillMonitor will automatically analyse your online bills for a tailored recommendation.

Or you can perform a one-off Tariff Search, where you enter minutes and texts used, as well as overseas calls, picture messaging and data usage. It will then suggest the right package for you.

For fixed-line broadband, consider what you will use it for. If you’re sharing with several people and you all intend to download large files such as music and films it may work out cheaper to share broadband and landline costs with your housemates.

Before signing up for a contract, think about how long you’ll need the service for.

Most landline and fixed-line broadband contracts last for 12 or 18 months which may not be suitable for you if you’re only in a property for 9 months of the year, a mobile phone and mobile broadband may be a better option for you.

Price comparison sites

To check out the best deals available you can use one of the price comparison cites accredited by Ofcom.

As well as Bill Monitor, we have also accredited Simplify Digital, Homephonecoices.co.uk, Broadband Choices and Broadband.co.uk.

Homephonechoices.co.uk compares both standalone home phone packages and those with broadband and/or digital TV.

Simplify Digital allows you to compare landlines, broadband and digital TV packages while Broadband Choices and Broadband.co.uk compare broadband services.