The broadband provider that all others are compared to (for better or for worse), is America Online (AOL) – a mega-provider in the UK and around the world. When it comes to fixed-line broadband, AOL is a standard-setter, though many claim it has gotten a bit too big for its britches (a theory that is widely argued). AOL Broadband set the bar when it became the first Internet provider to offer a wireless router as part of its standard package, and its software and other products remain easy to use and simple to install, a big plus in this complex industry.
The one major downside to AOL service is its customer service and technical support. There are no toll-free numbers, nor is service available 24/7, as it is for many other (smaller) broadband providers in the UK. For business broadband users, this isn’t the end of the world (as AOL’s service lines adhere to business hours); for home users in the UK, this can be something of a drawback. Other than the service caveat, however, AOL packages are unparalleled, and even their most basic deals include anti-virus software, spam filters, parent-control functions, and pop-up blockers. AOL has been in business for almost 25 years (launching in the US at first) and its pricing remains competitive and attractive. AOL UK was bought by Carphone Warehouse a few years back, and that company also acquired Tiscali and TalkTalk along the way. AOL’s customers (over 1.7 million in the UK) are a satisfied lot, taking advantage of all this broadband superstar has to offer.