There are dozens of Internet service providers in the United Kingdom - over 150 of them. However, a handful of the broadband providers serve the vast majority of UK broadband customers.
Who are the top UK ISPs? Based on subscriber numbers alone, the following companies serve the most broadband customers:
* BT Broadband
* NTL - Telewest Cable Broadband
* AOL
* Wanadoo
* Tiscali
Are these the top UK broadband providers? In terms of subscriber numbers - yes, in terms of quality of service and value for money - that's up for debate.
BT broadband are the largest provider of ADSL broadband services in the UK. Large company, lots of residential and business broadband users - we all know BT.
The recent merger of NTL and Telewest into the one company means they'll be able to compete effectively with the likes of BT and BSkyB - who have recently acquired the LLU provider - Easynet.
All the companies listed above advertise heavily - I've noticed a flurry of new TV advertisements recently from AOL, Wanadoo, Tiscali and BT.
Do The Larger Broadband Companies Offer The Best Deals?
Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes 'great value'. In terms of download speeds and price, it is the larger providers who have the resources and economies of scale, to be able to offer the best value deals to UK customers.
So there you have it - the top UK broadband providers in terms of subscriber numbers.
COMPARE TOP BROADBAND PROVIDERS
Andy James is the editor of Broadband Zilla - The UK's essential broadband comparison and news resource. Read the informative UK Broadband Guide and Compare Top Broadband Services.
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