Tip: When comparing fibre deals, consider both speed and reliability. Full fibre (FTTP) offers the most stable connection, while part fibre (FTTC) is more widely available.

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Fibre Optic Broadband Deals

Fibre broadband is now available to over 97 per cent of households in the UK, so if you haven't upgraded to fibre connection yet, you could be missing out on the extra performance and bandwidth that it offers. If you are thinking that it's time you switched then you'll want to know more about what's involved and how to find the best fibre broadband deals.

Fibre Optic Broadband Deals

What is fibre?

Fibre broadband means that the signal is delivered at least part of the way to your property using fibre optic cable rather than the older, copper telephone cables. It's important to note that there are 2 types of fibre broadband, fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premises (FTTP).

For most people, the fibre broadband deals they can access are FTTC. This means the fibre cable from the exchange terminates at a street cabinet (the green box at the end of your road) and the signal then comes the rest of the way to your house on copper cables.

This has an effect on performance because the further you are from the cabinet, the lower the speed will be. Even so, an FTTC connection should allow you to get fastest speeds of up to 80 Mbps if you're within 150 metres of the cabinet. At 300 metres away you should get around 45 Mbps.

FTTP connections mean that the fibre optic cable comes all the way into your home or business. This form of broadband is less common, only available to around nine per cent of the UK, and mainly in cities. FTTP, also known as 'full fibre broadband', offers faster speeds of 300 Mbps or more.

Did you know: The distance from your home to the street cabinet can affect FTTC speeds. If you're far from the cabinet, you might benefit more from a full fibre (FTTP) connection.

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Do I need fibre?

If you already have ADSL standard broadband (asynchronous digital subscriber line - delivered via the copper telephone network) then you need to consider whether it's worth checking to upgrade to fibre. This will depend on how you use the connection.

If you are just checking emails and maybe a bit of online shopping, banking and browsing social media, then ADSL with average download speed will probably be sufficient. If any of the following apply to your household, however, then it's probably worth you upgrading to superfast speed of fibre:

  • You have more than five devices connecting to the internet - PCs, smartphones, smart TVs, smart speakers, games consoles, etc.
  • There are more than two internet users
  • You stream TV from iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix, etc.
  • You regularly play online games
  • You upload videos and photos regularly
  • You make extensive use of cloud storage services such as Dropbox and OneDrive
  • You work from home
  • You use IP calling services such as Facetime and Skype

Fibre broadband offers more bandwidth than ADSL, making it faster and more reliable with less outages. When it comes to streaming media, for example, you won't have those annoying pauses while the data buffers.

Remember: Count your household's internet-connected devices. If you have more than five, fibre broadband is likely a better choice for smooth performance.

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Comparing fibre broadband deals

Comparing fibre broadband deals

The first thing to consider when looking at fibre broadband deals is what broadband speed you need as all households don't need ultrafast broadband. As a general rule, you need to have 10 Mbps for each person who is using the internet. Add an extra 10 Mbps if you have a high definition Smart TV, especially if it's 4K. If anyone is downloading and playing online games then allow them 20 Mbps.

Once you have an good idea as to what average speed you need, you can look at what's available in your area. Most service providers and many comparison sites have a postcode checker which will tell you if you can get the service and what speed you are likely to see.

The next thing to look at is cost. At the time of writing, the cheapest fibre broadband deals are available at great price of around £22 per month. ADSL isn't all that much cheaper, perhaps a couple of pounds a month, so given the performance advantage, you may think that fibre represents better value for money. You also need to read the small print; some providers offer an attractive price to begin with but the price will go up after a few months.

We've talked about the speed you need from your broadband, but you also need to think about the volumes of data you'll be downloading or streaming. An HD movie, for example, will be about 4GB in size. Some broadband deals place a cap on the amount you can download each month and if you exceed this, you'll be hit with an extra charge. If you know you'll be downloading a lot, look for packages that offer unlimited downloads. Note, however, that even an 'unlimited' package is usually subject to fair use limits and may restrict what you can download at peak times.

Broadband often comes in bundles with other services such as TV and landline calls. Some providers will also give you a better deal on your mobile phone service if you take it from them too. These things are only good value if you are actually going to use them, so don't be coerced into paying for something you don't need.

Almost all fibre deals come with a router. Check to see if you are going to be charged a delivery fee for this; indeed check if there's any form of one-off setup fee at the start of the contract. If you have a large household or lots of devices, you may want to upgrade to a better router. This will be an extra cost so make sure that you factor it into your calculations.

Most fibre broadband contracts are for 12 or 18 months, if you leave before the time is up, you will have to pay a penalty. If you're not comfortable with this, some providers offer a rolling month-to-month contract although this is likely to be more expensive. On the other hand, you may be able to get a better price by signing up for a longer period of two years or more.

Tip: Look beyond the advertised speed. Check for details on upload speeds, especially if you frequently video call or upload large files.

Top service providers

There are lots of companies offering fibre broadband deals in the UK. The major providers including BT, Sky and Virgin offer a range of packages, often bundled with TV and phone line deals. Note that Virgin uses its own network, so they can provide ultrafast fibre but it is not available in all areas. Other well-known broadband providers include TalkTalk and mobile companies such as EE and Vodafone. Plusnet is owned by BT but offers a 'no frills' service.

With providers other than Virgin, it's important to understand that regardless as to which firm your contract is with, the service is delivered via the Openreach network. This means there is usually very little difference between the performance you can get from different suppliers. It also means that it's worth considering smaller companies that you may not have heard of. A number of retailers and even the Post Office offer fibre broadband services, so there are plenty of options. At times, providers offer excellent deals to new customers, and switching from your current provider might secure you a better deal at the same price.

BT: The Broadband Giant

BT is one of the most well-known broadband providers in the UK, offering a range of fibre packages with speeds up to 900 Mbps. They often bundle their broadband services with TV and phone deals, making them a convenient choice for many households.

Sky: Broadband and Entertainment Combined

Sky is another major player in the UK broadband market, known for their high-quality fibre packages and extensive TV offerings. With speeds up to 500 Mbps and a wide range of entertainment options, Sky is a popular choice for families and TV enthusiasts.

Virgin Media: Ultrafast Speeds on a Separate Network

Virgin Media stands out from other providers by using their own network infrastructure, allowing them to offer ultrafast fibre speeds up to 1 Gbps. However, their coverage is limited compared to providers using the Openreach network, so it's essential to check availability in your area.

TalkTalk: Affordable Fibre Deals

TalkTalk is known for their budget-friendly fibre packages, making them an attractive option for cost-conscious households. They offer speeds up to 145 Mbps and often have promotional deals for new customers.

Plusnet

Owned by BT, Plusnet offers a 'no-frills' fibre broadband service with speeds up to 66 Mbps. They focus on providing reliable, straightforward broadband without the extras, making them a good choice for those who prioritize affordability and simplicity.

Mobile Providers: EE and Vodafone

Mobile giants EE and Vodafone also offer fibre broadband packages, often with discounts for existing mobile customers. EE offers speeds up to 900 Mbps, while Vodafone provides speeds up to 500 Mbps.

Smaller Providers and Resellers

Many smaller providers and resellers, such as the Post Office, Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, and John Lewis, also offer fibre broadband services using the Openreach network. These providers can often provide competitive deals and excellent customer service, making them worth considering when shopping for broadband.

Did you know: Smaller, local providers sometimes offer competitive fibre deals with excellent customer service. Don't overlook them when comparing options.

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What types of fibre broadband are there?

When it comes to choosing a broadband packages, it's essential to understand the different types of fibre connections available. In the UK, there are two main kinds of fibre broadband: part fibre and full fibre. Let's dive into the details and discover which one might be the best fit for your household.

What types of fibre broadband are there

Part Fibre: The Superfast Solution

Part fibre broadband, also known as fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) or 'superfast' broadband, is the most common type of fibre connection in the UK. In fact, it's available to over 97% of households, so there's a good chance you can get it at your home.

How Does Part Fibre Work?

With part fibre, your internet service provider (ISP) uses fibre optic cables to send data from their exchange to the green cabinets you see on your street. From there, the connection switches to the same copper wires used for standard broadband (ADSL) to reach your property.

What Speeds Can You Expect?

Part fibre broadband typically offers speeds between 30-70 Mbps. While this is significantly faster than ADSL, it may not be enough for households with multiple heavy internet users or those who frequently stream 4K content and participate in video conferencing.

Is Part Fibre Right for You?

If you have a small to medium-sized household with moderate internet usage, part fibre could be a great choice. It's widely available and often more affordable than full fibre packages.

Full Fibre: The Ultrafast Game-Changer

Full fibre broadband, also referred to as fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), is the next generation of broadband technology. It's gradually rolling out across the UK, with around 50% of homes currently able to access it.

How Does Full Fibre Work?

Full fibre connection takes the fibre optic connection all the way from your ISP's exchange directly into your home. This means there's no reliance on slower copper wires, resulting in lightning-fast speeds and a more stable connection.

What Speeds Can You Expect?

With full fibre, you can experience speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to well over 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps). This makes it perfect for busy households with multiple devices, 4K streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing needs.

Is Full Fibre Right for You?

If you have a large household with high internet demands or you simply want the fastest, most reliable connection possible, full fibre is the way to go. Keep in mind that it may be more expensive than part fibre and isn't as widely available yet.

Factors Affecting Your Fibre Broadband Speeds

Regardless of whether you choose part fibre or full fibre, several factors can impact your actual internet speeds:

  • Your location and distance from the exchange or cabinet
  • The time of day (peak vs off-peak hours)
  • The number of people using your connection simultaneously
  • The quality of your home's wiring
  • Weather conditions

To get an idea of the speeds you're currently getting, use our free broadband speed test tool.

Tip: If you're choosing between part fibre and full fibre, consider future-proofing. Full fibre may cost more now but could save you from needing to upgrade again soon.

What speeds can I expect with fibre broadband?

Superfast fibre

Superfast fibre is the most common type of fibre broadband connection. It uses fibre optic cables to deliver internet from your provider's telephone exchange to the local street cabinet, then relies on copper wiring to carry it into your home.

With superfast fibre, you can expect download speeds between 30-80 Mbps. That's plenty of oomph for streaming, gaming, and browsing on multiple devices at once. Plus, it's a big step up from traditional broadband (ADSL), which can only muster speeds of around 10 Mbps.

Top superfast fibre providers include BT Broadband, Sky Broadband, and TalkTalk fibre. And the best part? It's available to over 97% of UK homes(as per Ofcom), so chances are you can get it too.

  • Perfect for data-intensive small families
  • Supports HD streaming and gaming
  • Accommodates 3-5 people using the internet at the same time

Ultrafast fibre

If you're hungry for even faster speeds, ultrafast fibre might be the way to go. With ultrafast, you're looking at download speeds of 100-300 Mbps. That's rapid enough to satisfy even the most data-hungry households, with multiple people streaming, gaming, and video calling in glorious HD.

The key difference with ultrafast fibre is that it uses fibre optic cables all the way to your home, rather than relying on copper for the final stretch. This is known as fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).

Virgin Media is the most widely available ultrafast fibre provider, thanks to its cable broadband network. But other companies like BT, Sky, and TalkTalk are hot on their heels with their own full fibre deals.

  • Designed for large families or households with 3-5 heavy internet users
  • Provides seamless HD streaming and gaming experiences
  • Ideal for multiple users streaming, gaming, and downloading simultaneously

Gigabit fibre

If you want the absolute cream of the crop, gigabit fibre is the answer. We're talking lightning-fast download speeds of 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) or more. That's fast enough to download a full HD movie in under a minute, or a whopping 25 GB PlayStation game in around 15 minutes.

To reach these mind-boggling speeds, gigabit broadband uses cutting-edge fibre optic technology, sending pulses of light down the cables to transmit data. It's the future of home broadband, and it's rolling out across the UK as we speak.

What speeds can I expect with fibre broadband

Right now, around 70% of UK homes can get gigabit broadband(Ofcom report), but that number is growing all the time as providers expand their full fibre networks. Companies like BT, Virgin Media, Vodafone, and Hyperoptic are leading the charge, with a host of smaller full fibre providers hot on their heels.

  • The ultimate choice for home-run businesses or households with 10+ users
  • Offers lightning-fast speeds for HD streaming, gaming, and data-intensive tasks
  • Ensures smooth performance even with a large number of connected devices

Remember: Actual speeds can vary. Use our free broadband speed test tool to check your current speed before switching, so you can accurately compare improvements.

How to choose the right fibre broadband deal

Now that you know your superfast from your ultrafast, how do you choose the right fibre broadband package? Here are some key things to consider:

  • Speed: Think about how many people are in your household and what they use the internet for. Gamers, streamers, and home workers will need faster speeds than casual browsers.
  • Price: Fibre broadband deals can vary wildly in price, so shop around for the best value. Don't forget to factor in any upfront costs and price hikes after the initial contract period.
  • Extras: Some providers offer tempting extras like free tech gifts, cashback, or TV packages. Weigh up whether these are worth the extra cost, or if you're better off with a no-frills fibre deal.
  • Coverage: Not all fibre broadband services are available everywhere. Use a postcode checker to see what's on offer in your area, and don't be afraid to look beyond the big-name providers.

Speaking of coverage, what if you can't get fibre broadband at all? Don't worry, there are other options:

  • Mobile broadband: Uses 4G or 5G mobile networks to deliver internet to your home. Speeds can be hit and miss, but it's a good option for rural areas with patchy fibre coverage.
  • Satellite broadband: Beams internet signals from space to a dish on your property. It's more expensive and slower than fibre, but it can reach even the most remote locations.

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Page last updated on: 08/05/2024

Page reviewed by: Brijesh Patel

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