Choosing broadband in the UK is much easier than it used to be, but the number of different offers can still be confusing. Providers advertise fibre, full fibre, ultrafast broadband, gigabit broadband and a wide range of speeds.
The most important question, however, is not:
Which provider is the best?
First, it is worth checking what technology is actually available at your address and how much speed you really need.
Broadband, fibre and full fibre — what is the difference?
The word “fibre” does not always mean that a fibre-optic cable runs directly into your home.
There are several main types of broadband connection in the UK.
Full fibre — FTTP
Full Fibre, also known as FTTP — Fibre to the Premises, means that the fibre-optic cable runs directly to your house or flat.
This is currently one of the best options for fixed broadband.
Full fibre usually offers:
- higher speeds,
- better connection stability,
- access to very fast packages,
- better performance when many devices are used at the same time.
Ofcom states that full fibre is generally faster and more reliable than older connections that still rely partly on copper wiring.
Part fibre — FTTC
FTTC — Fibre to the Cabinet means that fibre runs as far as the street cabinet, while the final section to your home still uses traditional copper wiring.
This type of connection can still be perfectly adequate for many households, but the speed is more affected by the distance between your property and the street cabinet.
Cable broadband
Some providers also use cable networks.
In this type of setup, fibre may run to the local network, with the final section to the property using coaxial cable.
These networks can also provide very high speeds.
5G, fixed wireless and satellite internet
If good cable or fibre broadband is not available at your address, alternatives may include:
- 4G or 5G broadband,
- Fixed Wireless Access,
- satellite internet.
In these cases, speed and reliability may depend more heavily on location, signal quality and network conditions.
How much broadband speed do I need?
Broadband speed is usually measured in Mbit/s or Mbps.
The higher the number, the more data can be transferred in a given amount of time.
Ofcom broadly classifies broadband speeds as:
- up to 30 Mbps — standard broadband,
- 30 to 300 Mbps — superfast broadband,
- 300 Mbps and above — ultrafast broadband.
That does not mean everyone needs 1 Gb/s.
30–50 Mbps
For one or two people, this may be enough for:
- browsing the internet,
- using social media,
- watching Netflix and YouTube,
- video calls,
- normal home working.
A single Ultra HD stream can require around 30 Mbps.
100–300 Mbps
This is a sensible choice for many families.
It will usually allow several people to:
- stream video,
- join video calls,
- play online games,
- work from home,
- use multiple phones, laptops and TVs at the same time.
500 Mbps – 1 Gb/s and above
These packages may make sense if:
- several people live in the property,
- you regularly download very large files,
- several people stream 4K video at the same time,
- you use cloud services heavily,
- you upload or transfer a lot of data,
- you simply want the fastest connection available.
For an average user, the difference between 500 Mbps and 1 Gb/s may be difficult to notice during ordinary web browsing.
Do not look only at the advertised maximum speed
When choosing broadband, do not focus only on the biggest number in the advert.
What matters more is the speed the provider expects at your specific address.
Ofcom provides a Broadband and Mobile Coverage Checker that can help you see which technologies and speeds are available where you live.
Download and upload
Most broadband advertising focuses on download speed.
However, upload speed is becoming increasingly important.
Upload speed matters when:
- sending large files,
- using cloud backup,
- working remotely,
- live streaming,
- uploading videos,
- using security cameras or monitoring systems.
Two packages both advertised as 500 Mbps may therefore be quite different if one has a much faster upload speed.
Wi-Fi is not the same as broadband speed
This is a very common source of confusion.
You may have a 500 Mbps connection coming into your home, but only get 60 Mbps on a laptop in the bedroom.
That does not necessarily mean there is a fault with your broadband connection.
The problem could be:
- distance from the router,
- thick walls,
- being on another floor,
- interference,
- a weak router,
- an older device,
- too many devices using Wi-Fi.
If you are having speed problems, it is worth testing close to the router and, if possible, using an Ethernet cable.
Where should you place the router?
The router should ideally be:
- positioned fairly centrally,
- raised rather than left on the floor,
- kept away from large metal objects,
- not hidden inside a cupboard,
- kept away from equipment that may cause interference.
In a larger home, a mesh Wi-Fi system can be a better solution than relying on one powerful router at one end of the property.
Watch the contract length
Broadband in the UK is often sold on contracts lasting 12, 18 or 24 months.
Before signing up, check:
- the contract length,
- the monthly price,
- installation costs,
- router charges, if any,
- any future price increase,
- early termination charges,
- the price after the promotional period ends.
It is better to compare the total cost of the contract rather than only the starting monthly price.
Price increases during the contract
This is an important change compared with older broadband contracts.
For new contracts, providers can no longer describe future price rises simply as “inflation + X%”.
If the contract includes a price increase, the provider must clearly state the exact increase in pounds and pence and when it will apply.
This means you should look not only at:
£25 per month
but also at something like:
£25 now, increasing to £28 from next April.
What happens when the contract ends?
Once the minimum contract period ends, the monthly price may increase.
That is a good time to:
- contact your current provider,
- ask for a new deal,
- compare competitors,
- switch provider.
Customers who are out of contract can often save money by moving to a new plan or changing provider.
Switching provider — One Touch Switch
Changing broadband provider is now much easier thanks to One Touch Switch.
In most cases, you only need to contact the new provider.
The new provider arranges the switch and informs your old provider.
You do not usually need to cancel the old broadband first and then order the new service separately.
Before the switch, your current provider should tell you about any charges that may apply, such as early termination fees.
Be careful if broadband is part of a larger package
If your broadband is part of a bundle that also includes:
- a landline,
- television,
- extra channels,
- other services,
changing broadband provider may also affect those services.
Before switching, check exactly what will be cancelled and whether any services need to be ended separately.
Social Tariff — cheaper broadband
People receiving certain benefits may qualify for lower-cost broadband packages known as social tariffs.
Eligibility can include people receiving benefits such as:
- Universal Credit,
- Pension Credit,
- Employment and Support Allowance,
- Jobseeker’s Allowance,
- Income Support.
Some providers may accept other benefits as well.
Social tariffs are often significantly cheaper than standard broadband packages.
They also have some useful protections, including:
- no in-contract price rises,
- no charge for moving onto the tariff with the same provider,
- no early exit fee if you later leave the social tariff.
If someone in the household receives qualifying benefits, it is definitely worth checking whether a social tariff is available.
The cheapest broadband is not always the best
When comparing providers, do not look only at price.
Also check:
- connection type,
- expected or guaranteed speed,
- upload speed,
- contract length,
- future price increases,
- customer service,
- early termination charges,
- availability of full fibre.
Sometimes paying a few pounds more each month for a more stable full fibre connection is better value than choosing an older technology.
Moving home? Check the broadband before signing
If broadband is important to you, especially if you work from home, it is worth checking availability before renting or buying a property.
Two streets only a short distance apart can have very different broadband options.
One address may have gigabit full fibre while a property only a few houses away may still be limited to a much slower connection.
Summary
When choosing broadband in the UK, do not base your decision only on the provider name or the biggest speed shown in an advert.
First check:
- what is available at your address,
- whether the connection is full fibre or part fibre,
- how much speed you actually need,
- the total cost over the full contract,
- whether and when the price will rise,
- any early termination charges.
For many households, a reliable 100–300 Mbps connection will already be more than enough.
If full fibre is available for a similar price to older technology, however, it is usually worth considering.
And when your contract ends, do not simply leave it running without checking the price. A few minutes spent comparing offers can save a significant amount of money over the next year or two.