Compare Exclusive Gigaclear Broadband and TV Deals

Fast and affordable broadband is something we all need, especially with so much of our working and social lives played out online. But for people in more rural areas, getting a quick and reliable broadband connection can be difficult due to their remote location. In fact, Government figures from 2020 show there is a real urban-rural divide. The average broadband speed in rural areas was 54 Mbits compared to 81Mbits in predominantly urban areas [1]. This is attributed to two main reasons, firstly, that there is limited superfast broadband infrastructure in rural areas and, secondly, that rural premises are much further away from cabinets and rely on long copper wires which reduce performance.

That is where Gigaclear comes in. This broadband provider, owned by European infrastructure investor Infracapital, is different for two reasons. It focuses its attention on rural communities, promising to bring its broadband to areas which may otherwise be overlooked. It also offers a full fibre broadband service. Gigaclear launched in 2010 and since then has been working to 'unlock the potential' of poorly served rural communities by 'taking fast and reliable broadband to their doorsteps'. In 2021, the Government unveiled plans to invest £5 billion into providing faster broadband for 'hard to reach' homes and businesses [2] in a bid to help ease the rural-urban divide.

Gigaclear prides itself on offering the UK's largest, exclusively rural, fibre to the premises (FTTP) network. FTTP is fibre broadband wired directly to the home instead of via a cabinet that serves multiple properties in an area. This eliminates the problems that often blight rural communities and helps to improve their access to faster broadband.

Gigaclear offers three home broadband packages- superfast, ultrafast or hyperfast. Superfast broadband offers average download and upload speeds of 200 Mbps and the package includes a Linksys router and is Smart Wi-Fi ready. The ultrafast package offers download and upload speeds of 600 Mbps and is recommended for heavy duty users, while the hyperfast package offers upload and download speeds of 830 Mbps - some 16x faster than standard fibre.

Gigaclear also offers a selection of full fibre business broadband deals, also for those located in predominantly rural areas. Businesses can benefit from speeds of up to 900 Mbps, symmetrical upload and download speeds and a business grade service level agreement, providing service in the event of interruption.

Gigaclear's Business 100 broadband package is ideal for smaller businesses and offers average download and upload speeds of 100 Mbps, as well as unlimited usage, a two day Service Level Agreement (SLA) and a Linksys router. The Business 500 package offers speeds of up to 500 Mbps and is suited to medium sized businesses, while the fastest package available is the Business 900, ideal for medium to large heavy data users. This has download speeds of up to 900 Mbps and you benefit from a named account manager.

All of the business packages include a Linksys router, a static IP, a two day SLA and promises of no mid term price rises. Prices are not available on Gigaclear's website, and anyone interested can speak to a local business specialist on 0370 863 7613 to find out more.

If Gigaclear is available in your area and you want to try it out, you need to choose your installation package, select an installation date (this can be done online) and engineers will visit your home to install the connection and set up Wi-Fi. Those who have less than three months remaining on a contract with another provider can order with Gigaclear and delay their installation date until nearer the end of their current contract.

Overall, Gigaclear broadband reviews from customers are generally positive, with 3.8 out of five stars on Trustpilot, placing it in the 'great' provider category. Of the 7,149 customer reviews on Trustpilot, 50 % are five star reviews.

Is it easy to contact Gigaclear if I have a problem with the service?

Gigaclear provides email links on its website for its customer operations, sales and billing teams. All of the teams can also be reached by calling 01865 591 131. There is also a Gigaclear broadband speed test available on their website. Simply click on the 'go' button and when the test has finished, it will display what your download and upload speeds are to help identify if there is a problem. Instructions on how to carry out the speed test are given online.

Gigaclear's Smart WiFi is a game-changer for rural internet users. This advanced system utilises mesh technology to provide greater coverage throughout your home, eliminating dead spots that are often a problem in larger or older rural properties.

The Smart WiFi package includes a Linksys Velop Intelligent Mesh WiFi System, which consists of multiple nodes that work together to create a seamless network. This system is particularly beneficial for:

1. Streaming: Enjoy buffer-free 4K streaming in every room
2. Gaming: Experience low-latency gaming throughout your home
3. Working from home: Maintain stable connections for video calls and file transfers

According to Gigaclear's internal data, homes using their Smart WiFi system see an average 30% improvement in coverage compared to standard router setups.

Gigaclear's commitment to rural communities extends beyond providing internet access:

1. Digital skills workshops: Free sessions to help residents make the most of their connection
2. Community sponsorships: Supporting local events and initiatives
3. Rural business support: Tailored packages and advice for rural entrepreneurs

In 2022, Gigaclear invested over £1 million in rural community projects across their service areas.

Recognising the growing demand for high-performance internet among gamers, Gigaclear has developed specialised packages that cater to this audience. These gaming-optimised services offer several unique benefits:

1. Ultra-low latency: Ping rates as low as 5ms, crucial for competitive online gaming.
2. Prioritised gaming traffic: Ensuring smooth gameplay even during peak usage times.
3. Dedicated gaming support: Specialised customer service team familiar with gaming-specific issues.

Gigaclear's gaming packages have been endorsed by several eSports teams and gaming influencers. In a recent speed test comparison, Gigaclear's gaming-optimised connection outperformed standard broadband by reducing lag by up to 40% in popular online games.