What is no credit check broadband?

How do I get broadband with no credit check?

If you have a bad credit rating, you might find it difficult to pass the credit check required to get a standard broadband package. Fortunately, there are providers that can offer you broadband and phone services without a credit check. We take you through the options, and provide useful advice on how to improve your credit rating to increase your choice of broadband options. 

Can I get broadband without a credit check?

The easiest way to get no credit check internet is to buy a package from NOW broadband, Plusnet or Direct Save Telecom, all of which provide broadband with no credit check. 

But if you want more choice and a potentially more cost-effective package, there is nothing to stop you applying to providers such as TalkTalk, Sky, BT or Virgin Media. They all run credit checks, but these are not as tough as the checks that are run when you are applying for a financial service, like a mortgage. 

If you are not successful in your application, it may have a negative effect on your credit score, but as long as you don’t apply to lots of providers in a short period of time, there shouldn’t be any lasting damage to your rating. 

What are my no credit check broadband options? 

Here are the providers that offer the best broadband for bad credit.

NOW Broadband

NOW standard and fibre broadband packages are available without a credit check because you pay up front for their services. So, if you can’t pay in advance, you don’t get the services they offer. 

The only thing to be aware of is the set-up fee you will have to pay when signing up to their one-month broadband package. 

Plusnet

Plusnet does not run any credit checks for their 12-month or 18-month broadband packages, however  there will be a set-up fee that you have to pay (around £20).

Direct Save Telecom

Direct Save Telecom is a smaller provider that also does not conduct any credit checks and offers similar prices to Plusnet.  There will be a set up fee and they will ask you to pay your first invoice before your service goes live. 

Virgin Media

Like Plusnet, NOW and Direct Save Telecom, Virgin Media offer no credit check broadband  on their 30 day rolling contracts and at some impressive speeds (up to 362Mbps), but the downside is the cost – all of their rolling packages come with a one-off £80 fee and cost a minimum of £44 per month, which makes Virgin Media the most expensive option for your bad credit broadband.  

What if I want to get a package from another provider?

Big providers like Sky, BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk will all check your credit rating before they will be willing to accept you as a customer.

But the checks aren’t as tough as with things like credit cards or mortgages, so you may pass the check even with a low credit score. The market is very competitive and providers are keen to take new customers, for example TalkTalk says only a small number of customers fail the check, so it might be worth taking a chance on one of these providers.

And even if you don’t pass the check, they may still give you options for becoming a customer, such as requiring you to put down a deposit for services.

This means you pay a deposit before you’re provided with a broadband service, and if you don’t pay your bill the provider will use this money instead. The deposit remains your money though, and providing you’ve paid all your bills you will get it back at the end of your contract or at a time agreed with the provider.

Do I have any other options for getting internet with bad credit? 

BT Basic

For those on a low income or claiming universal basic income, BT offers a basic phone and broadband service with no credit check. But you will need to provide details of your situation and any benefits you are claiming so that BT can check your records with the Department for Work and Pensions to find out if you qualify.

Find out more on the BT website. 

Mobile broadband

Another option for those that want broadband without a credit check is to use pay-as-you-go (PAYG) internet.

Although mobile broadband is unlikely to be as fast as home broadband (unless you are one of the few that has access to the new 5G network), you can get it quickly (just buy a SIM card and compatible device) and there are no credit checks at all.

Also, mobile broadband isn’t just something for your phone. If everyone in your house needs access you can buy a MiFi router that allows you to put your 4G SIM in and it then broadcasts the signal for many devices to connect to the internet. 

How does MiFi work?

A MiFi device is a small bit of tech that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot by connecting to a mobile network. Because it creates a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can connect a number of devices to the internet at the same time – like a laptop or tablet.  

It works just like a mobile phone, using a SIM card to connect to the mobile network. It then amplifies that connection through a personal, secure Wi-Fi network that you join like any other Wi-Fi network.

What is the best broadband for someone with bad credit?

If you are determined to apply to one of the major providers and take the risk of a credit check, many customers suggest that TalkTalk are the most lenient provider and are most likely to offer you a contract with bad credit.

However, as Plusnet, NOW and Direct Save Telecom don’t run credit checks at all and offer cost-effective broadband packages, these represent the best current options for no credit check internet. 

Things to consider with no credit check broadband

What is my credit rating?

Before you do anything, you should check your credit rating as it might be better than you think.

There are three credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – that calculate personal score credits based on the data they collect, and all three of them can provide you with at least one report for free.

Your credit report will contain information such as:

It is important to read your report carefully, as there may be things in it that are incorrect (your current address, for example) or things that you didn’t know that are affecting your score (an unpaid credit card that you forgot about). 

How can I improve my chances of getting broadband with a credit check?

While it can take a little time to improve your credit score and you may need to buy a no credit check broadband package in the short term, there are things that you can do today to start making positive changes.

If you start making these positive changes today, you will have a much wider variety of broadband contracts available to you,  instead of having to focus your search on credit check broadband offers. 

Don’t take on broadband without credit checks if you’re worried about money

If you are worried about money and paying your bills, getting internet with bad credit still represents another monthly bill and a significant financial risk to you. 

So if you are struggling, seek advice and help first.

There are lots of different places where you can get financial guidance before making a decision around buying broadband without a credit check: