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The Best Community Fibre Deals for Broadband, TV & Mobile

Community Fibre

Community Fibre is a specialist broadband provider for London. It offers full-fibre, high-speed connections with speeds of up to 3,000MBPS in 32 boroughs across the English capital where it is based. Unlike most broadband providers in the UK, Community Fibre broadband is delivered using its company pure fibre network rather than the standard Openreach network.

Community Fibre Review

If you are looking to compare broadband prices or make a broadband comparison based on speed and service, then this Community Fibre review aims to help you to decide if Community Fibre broadband is worth a look.

Overall, we think that Community Fibre should definitely be on your consideration list if you live in one of the 32 London boroughs it covers. It includes a high quality Community Fibre router which can deliver Wi-Fi in every room of your home and offer ultrafast 1,000Mbps broadband at its best.

Community Fibre Review

We aim to provide you with an honest and unbiased Community Fibre review, however, and so there are some downsides that will inevitably be mentioned as you read on, including long contractual commitments and a lack of options to include television services. There is also the obvious fact that Community Fibre broadband is only available to users in London and so is not an option for people elsewhere in the country looking to make a broadband comparison.

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Community Fibre Broadband Speeds

Community Fibre offers its customers speeds of 1,000Mbps, 500Mbps and 50Mbps. These are symmetric, so your download and upload speeds should match. There may also be the option of a budget 10Mbps speed and an ultra-fast 3,000Mbps connection if this is possible in your area. According to Ofcom, the average internet speed was around 50.4 Mbit/s in March 2021 [1].

This company specialises in 'fibre to the property' connections, meaning that fibre cables connect with your router with no copper wire components slowing down speeds.

There is a range of choices to meet the needs of different households, from people living alone who simply want a basic internet connection to shared households where UHD streaming is a priority for multiple occupants. Let's take a look at some of the choices available:

Did you know: Community Fibre offers symmetric speeds, meaning your upload speed matches your download speed.

Essential Mbps

This is designed to meet the needs of users who simply want a broadband connection they can rely upon without having to pay more than they have to for the privilege. This will provide a solid connection that will support web browsing and standard definition streaming.

50Mbps Broadband

Unlike BT and Virgin Media, which both offer 50Mbps fibre connections, Community Fibre broadband can deliver 50Mbps upload and download speeds - not just 50Mbps downloads. This is great if you like uploading videos to social media, for example.

This download speed is perfect for average households where it needs to support a reasonable number of devices and offer the capacity to stream HD TV.

1,000Mbps Broadband

This is ideal for most households and can keep more than 100 devices connected quite easily. Multiple people streaming UHD shows shouldn't be a problem and the super-fast uploads and downloads should keep gamers who want to Skype or Facetime more than happy.

Community Fibre Router Options

Community Fibre Router Options

It is fair to say that some of the free routers provided by broadband companies aren't very good. This is not the case when it comes to the Community Fibre router choices, however.

If you choose a Community Fibre broadband package with a speed of less than 1,000Mbps, then you are likely to get a Linksys Velop Wi-Fi 5 Community Fibre router. You will get the model '6' router for higher speeds, for example, if you choose the 1,000Mbps or 3,000Mbps contracts.

The Linksys Velop Wi-Fi 6 router is a tri-band model using mesh technology to support higher speeds. It uses three bands to optimise both speeds and coverage.

In addition to your primary router, Community Fibre broadband will provide you with mesh routers as part of its commitment to 'Every Room' Wi-Fi coverage. It is worth noting, however, that Wi-Fi In Every Room is not available as standard and you will have to pay extra for the company's commitment.

Remember: Community Fibre provides mesh routers for whole-home coverage, but 'Wi-Fi In Every Room' is an additional service.

Community Fibre Wi-Fi In Every Room Commitment

The combination of a main router and additional mesh routers aims to deliver whole home broadband. Community Fibre is so confident of this that it offers a guarantee that you can receive WiFi coverage in a total of 12 rooms, including as many as five bedrooms - at an extra charge of around £10 a month. You can choose to pay this straight away when signing up or add it as your contract progresses.

Community Fibre broadband also has a guarantee that you will get at least 10Mbps in all rooms and if this doesn't happen, you are eligible for compensation with free broadband for three months.

The commitment doesn't include exterior coverage, such as in the garage or the garden.

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Box Broadband

One of the major downfalls of Community Fibre is its limited coverage in the London area. It has, however, bought the Box Broadband company, extending its services into West Sussex and Surrey and who knows what might happen in the future.

Community Fibre and TV Services

If you are looking to compare broadband prices based on factors such as what TV services can be added as bolt-ons then you may be interested in what Community Fibre broadband could offer you. In answer to this question, it can deliver some options, but these may not be as extensive as you might like.

If you make your broadband comparison and decide that Community Fibre is a good choice for you, you could choose to add a TV package. This offering is limited compared to other providers, however. While you can enjoy lots of free channels and apps such as ITVX and iPlayer, together with the ability to sign up and watch the likes of Amazon Prime, it doesn't support Netflix, Disney+, and NOW TV as with many of the other packages that can be added with other companies.

Contract Lengths with Community Fibre Broadband

If you are comparing broadband from providers such as NOW or Virgin Media, you may notice that these companies offer ultra-flexibility in the form of no-contract monthly broadband accounts. You won't get this from Community Fibre broadband. This means that it may not be the right choice for you if you prefer very short contracts - or no contract at all.

If you don't mind committing for at least a year, however, then Community Fibre could be worth considering. It offers both 12-month and 24-month contracts, with the longer contract costing less per month. You can typically expect to pay around £2 a month more for a 12-month contract compared to the two-year option.

Community Fibre Broadband Packages

Full-fibre broadband doesn't need a telephone line and so this isn't included in standard Community Fibre broadband provision. You can add it, however, and you can make use of the same Voice Over Internet Protocol you use when on Facetime, Zoom, or Skype.

Expect to pay around £10 a month for the phone adapter to convert your internet signal to become a phone signal, but then all calls are covered by your normal contract fees as calls will be made using your internet connection and not a standard phone line.

If you want to include a TV package, Community Fibre broadband can offer this thanks to a pairing with the Netgem TV provider. As we mentioned previously in this Community Fibre review, this is not the most extensive or expansive of offerings but you could choose from more than 200 free channels and over 35 apps, including YouTube and UKTV Play.

You could also pay to add-on additional services such as Haya, Brit Box, Amazon Prime Video, and BT Sport Ultimate.

Community Fibre Installation

You won't have to pay for installation but you will need to allow around two hours for the engineer to bring a cable into your home, position your main router, and to position other routers if you have chosen the WiFi in Every Room option.

The routers will be positioned on walls in optimal positions decided by you and the engineer and, once connected, the engineer will test your speeds over Wi-Fi and through your fixed connection.

Tip: Installation is free, but allow about two hours for the engineer to set up your service.

Community Fibre Installation

Community Fibre Customer Support

Community Fibre seems to do quite well when it comes to customer service. There is a live chat service or you can use a customer service phone line or contact the company via social media. Customer services are open every day between 8am and 10pm on weekdays and between 9am and 7pm on weekends.

From internet reviews and feedback, it seems unlikely that you will face any particular problems with Community Fibre broadband, but if issues do arise and go unresolved, there is help available. A good first port of call if significant issues arise is the Citizens Advice website at citizensadvice.org.uk or you can call the helpline on 0808 223 1133.

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What Are the Differences Between Community Fibre Broadband Routers?

Community Fibre offers two main broadband router models, each with distinct features and specifications tailored to different broadband plans. Here's a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh router and the Linksys WiFi 6 Intelligent Mesh router:

Feature Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh Linksys WiFi 6 Intelligent Mesh
WiFi Standard WiFi 5 (802.11ac) WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Frequency Bands Dual-Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz) Tri-Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 5GHz)
WiFi Speed AC1300 (867 + 400 Mbps) AX5300 (1147+2402+1733 Mbps)
Ethernet Ports 2x WAN/LAN auto-sensing Gigabit 1 Gigabit WAN, 4 Gigabit LAN
USB Ports None 1 USB 3.0
Processor 716 MHz Quad Core 2.2 GHz Quad-Core
Memory 256 MB NAND Flash, 256 MB DDR3 512 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM
Antennas 3x internal antennas Internal antennas
WiFi Range Covers homes with 1-2 bedrooms Large homes
Mesh WiFi Intelligent Mesh Technology Intelligent Mesh Technology
Security Features WPA2 personal WPA2, WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode
Setup App-based setup (Android 6.0.1+, iOS 11.4+) App-based setup (Android 6.0.1+, iOS 11.4+)
Dimensions (LxWxH) 7.9 x 7.9 x 14.1 cm per node 4.5" x 4.5" x 9.6"
Weight 0.91 kg 3.5 lbs
Power Supply Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz; Output: 12V, 1.0A Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz; Output: 12V/4A
Typical Use 35Mbps and 50Mbps Broadband Plans 150Mbps, 200Mbps, 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and 1Gbps Broadband Plans

Did you know: The Linksys WiFi 6 Intelligent Mesh router is best suited for Community Fibre's higher-speed plans, from 150Mbps to 1Gbps.

Which Community Fibre Broadband Router Is Best for High-Speed Internet?

The Linksys WiFi 6 Intelligent Mesh router is the more advanced option, supporting the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) standard and offering faster speeds, lower latency, and improved performance compared to the Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh router. With a theoretical throughput of AX5300 (1147+2402+1733 Mbps), the WiFi 6 router is better suited for high-speed broadband plans ranging from 150Mbps to 1Gbps.

The WiFi 6 router also features a more powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core processor, more memory, and a USB 3.0 port, making it an excellent choice for larger homes and households with multiple connected devices.

What Are the Differences Between Community Fibre Broadband Routers

How Does the Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh Router Compare to the WiFi 6 Model?

The Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh router is a good choice for smaller homes and slower broadband plans, such as 35Mbps and 50Mbps. It supports the 802.11ac standard and offers dual-band connectivity (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with a theoretical throughput of AC1300 (867 + 400 Mbps).

While it may not provide the same level of performance as the WiFi 6 router, the WiFi 5 model still features Intelligent Mesh Technology for optimized WiFi coverage and easy app-based setup. It has a 716 MHz quad-core processor, 256 MB NAND Flash, and 256 MB DDR3 memory, which is sufficient for basic internet usage and smaller households.

What Are the Key Differences Between the Linksys WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 Routers?

The main differences between the Linksys WiFi 5 Intelligent Mesh router and the Linksys WiFi 6 Intelligent Mesh router are:

  1. WiFi Standard: The WiFi 5 router supports the 802.11ac standard, while the WiFi 6 router supports the newer and faster 802.11ax standard.
  2. Frequency Bands: The WiFi 5 router is dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), while the WiFi 6 router is tri-band (2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands).
  3. WiFi Speed: The WiFi 6 router offers much higher speeds, with a total theoretical throughput of AX5300 (1147+2402+1733 Mbps), compared to AC1300 (867 + 400 Mbps) on the WiFi 5 router.
  4. Processor and Memory: The WiFi 6 router has a more powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core processor and more memory (512 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM) compared to the 716 MHz quad-core processor and 256 MB NAND Flash, 256 MB DDR3 memory on the WiFi 5 router.
  5. Ethernet Ports: The WiFi 6 router has 1 Gigabit WAN port and 4 Gigabit LAN ports, while the WiFi 5 router has 2 auto-sensing Gigabit WAN/LAN ports.
  6. USB Port: The WiFi 6 router includes a USB 3.0 port, which is absent on the WiFi 5 router.
  7. Security Features: Both routers support WPA2, but the WiFi 6 router also supports WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode for enhanced security.
  8. Typical Use: The WiFi 5 router is typically provided with 35Mbps and 50Mbps broadband plans, while the WiFi 6 router is used for faster plans ranging from 150Mbps to 1Gbps.

What Are the Key Features of the Community Fibre TV Set-Top Box?

Community Fibre offers a TV service through a partnership with Netgem, providing customers with a feature-rich set-top box. Here's a table highlighting the main features and specifications of the Netgem 4K TV Box:

Feature Netgem 4K TV Box
Type Set-top box
4K Support Yes (4K Ultra HD)
HDR Support -
Voice Control Alexa included
Apps Netflix, Prime Video, ITVX, BBC iPlayer, My5, TikTok (40+ apps)
Live Channels 225+ channels (including 125 HD channels)
On-Demand Content 100,000+ hours
Recording Pause/Rewind Live TV
Additional Subscriptions Option to add TNT Sports, Rakuten TV, BritBox, Hayu
Value £149 (included with TV service)

What Content Can I Access with the Netgem 4K TV Box?

The Netgem 4K TV Box provides access to a wide range of content, including:

  1. Live TV Channels: Enjoy over 225 live TV channels, with 125 of them available in HD quality.
  2. Streaming Apps: Access popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, ITVX, BBC iPlayer, My5, and TikTok. The box supports more than 40 apps in total.
  3. On-Demand Content: Explore a vast library of over 100,000 hours of on-demand content, ensuring you always have something to watch.
  4. Additional Subscriptions: Customers have the option to add premium subscriptions like TNT Sports, Rakuten TV, BritBox, and Hayu to further expand their content choices.

What Are the Main Benefits of the Netgem 4K TV Box?

  1. 4K Ultra HD Support: The Netgem 4K TV Box supports 4K Ultra HD resolution, allowing you to enjoy your favourite content in stunning detail and clarity (when available).
  2. Alexa Voice Control: With Alexa built-in, you can easily control your TV box using voice commands, making it convenient to navigate the interface, search for content, and control playback.
  3. Pause and Rewind Live TV: Never miss a moment of your favourite live TV shows. The Netgem 4K TV Box allows you to pause and rewind live TV, giving you greater flexibility and control over your viewing experience.
  4. Included with TV Service: While the Netgem 4K TV Box itself is valued at £149, it is included as part of Community Fibre's TV service, which can be added to a broadband plan for an additional £10 per month.

How Does the Netgem 4K TV Box Compare to Other Set-Top Boxes?

While the search results do not provide a direct comparison to other set-top boxes, the Netgem 4K TV Box appears to offer a comprehensive package with its extensive channel lineup, on-demand content, and support for popular streaming apps. The inclusion of Alexa voice control and the ability to pause and rewind live TV further enhance its appeal.

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