So you have decided to leave the Stone Age and join the broadband revolution, huh? Good call. Before you choose a broadband supplier, though, you might want to take a look at the option of signing up for a broadband 'package' - essentially, taking your broadband in connection along with another service such as your telephone, TV or electricity.

Why should you do this? Well, it's simple. TV, telephone and energy companies would love to get as much business out of you as they can, so by combining your broadband and other services into a single package you can take advantage of the often unbelievably cheap offers they will throw at you. In some cases, it may be possible to get your broadband absolutely free of charge by agreeing to stick with a particular company for another service.

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but as you'll see from the examples below there is such a thing as free broadband.

Your broadband and telephone come through the same wires, right? So, why pay two companies when you can get both services from the same place? By signing up for a broadband package through a telephone provider such as BT, Telewest or NTL you could make a substantial monthly saving. In fact, several phone companies offer free broadband when you sign on for their phone service!

TV companies these days want nothing more than to provide all our entertainment. Sky TV, for instance, offer free broadband to all their customers - and for a small monthly fee they can even offer a lightning fast 16Mb connection.

Other TV companies are jumping on the broadband package bandwagon, too. Both Telewest and NTL offer packages that cover broadband, TV and telephone services - not only saves your pocket but also the effort of dealing with each service in turn.

The idea of energy companies offering broadband may sound odd, but there is some logic behind it. Since the deregulation of the gas and electricity industries in the UK, the utilities providers have found it difficult to keep hold of their customers. The smart ones have diversified into other areas - some electrical companies now offer electricity, gas, insurance, telephony and broadband.

Since utility companies are desperate to hold onto customers, you can take advantage of that and get a great deal on your broadband package.

Whichever broadband package you choose, it's a simple fact that linking your broadband with a separate service will work out cheaper than opting for a standalone service. The challenge is in finding a provider you're happy with.

Check our broadband bundles section for latest deals from UK Broadband Providers.