GoFibre Broadband Review

GoFibre offers full fibre broadband across selected areas of Scotland and northern England, building its own FTTP network in communities that larger national providers often ignore. The company focuses on rural and small-town markets, securing multiple Project Gigabit contracts while also expanding commercial coverage in towns like Dunbar and North Berwick.

If your street has GoFibre, you’ll find four home broadband plans: 150Mb, 300Mb, 500Mb and MAX 1000. Each plan runs on full fibre to the premises, which means lower latency and consistent evening speeds compared to copper or part-fibre connections.

GoFibre Broadband

Plans and Pricing

GoFibre currently prices its entry-level 150Mb plan from £23.50 per month on a 24-month contract. Recent promotional pricing has brought the 500Mb plan down to £26.95 and MAX 1000 to £29.95, though these deals fluctuate during seasonal campaigns like Black Friday.

The company also offers 12-month versions of each plan at higher monthly costs. Renters and anyone planning a house move within a year will find the shorter commitment worth the extra monthly spend, since early exit charges can quickly outweigh the savings from a 24-month contract.

PlanSpeed (download / upload)ContractMonthly price
GoFibre 150 150Mb / 30Mb 24 months £23.50
GoFibre 300 300Mb / 30Mb 24 months £30.00
GoFibre 500 500Mb / 50Mb 24 months £26.95
GoFibre MAX 1000 1000Mb / 100Mb 24 months £29.95

Price rises: GoFibre applies a fixed increase from December 2026 onwards, not the CPI-plus formula many national ISPs use. Your contract documents show the exact pound increase per plan – typically £2.50 on 150Mb and £3 on the faster packages. This makes bill changes predictable compared to inflation-linked rises that can spike unexpectedly.

Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme covers missed appointments, delayed activation and total service loss after a short grace period. Providers in the scheme apply credits automatically once criteria are met, typically within a month of resolving the issue.

If a new service remains inactive after 30 days, you have the right to leave without penalty. Report issues promptly so the compensation clock starts. Keep appointment confirmations and fault references in your email – they help if you need to challenge a credit decision later.

Speeds and Upload Performance

GoFibre lists each plan with a “peak time speed” – the evening average you can expect during busy hours. This approach sets realistic expectations rather than quoting theoretical maximums that most homes never reach.

Download speeds

  • 150Mb plan: 150Mb peak time speed
  • 300Mb plan: 300Mb peak time speed
  • 500Mb plan: 500Mb peak time speed
  • MAX 1000 plan: 1000Mb peak time speed

Upload speeds

  • 150Mb and 300Mb plans: 30Mb upload speed
  • 500Mb plan: 50Mb upload speed
  • MAX 1000 plan: 100Mb upload speed

Upload speeds matter more than many people realise. If you regularly send large video files to cloud storage, stream gameplay with a camera feed, or sync project folders to clients, you need to look at upload performance alongside download speeds.

The MAX 1000 plan’s 100Mb upload speed handles these tasks comfortably, while the 30Mb upload speed on 150Mb and 300Mb plans covers typical photo backups and document syncing.

Routers

GoFibre ships the Standard Router with its 150Mb, 300Mb and 500Mb plans. This Wi-Fi 6 device handles multiple devices well and supports mesh extensions if you need extra coverage later. The company offers an optional Cyber Shield security add-on that blocks malicious sites, prevents unknown devices from joining your network, and sends alerts when suspicious activity occurs.

The MAX 1000 plan includes the Advanced Router plus built-in network-level security. This Wi-Fi 6 model suits larger homes or properties with many connected devices. Both routers work with compatible mesh nodes if you have an L-shaped layout, stone walls or multiple floors that challenge Wi-Fi coverage.

Wi-Fi reality check: No single router floods every corner of a difficult property with full speeds through thick walls and floors. Wire your static devices (work PC, console, media server) via Ethernet and let Wi-Fi 6 handle phones and tablets. This approach keeps latency low for gaming and video calls while freeing wireless bandwidth for portable devices.

If you already own a quality mesh system, ask GoFibre support about bridge mode so your mesh can manage channels and roaming while the GoFibre equipment handles the optical connection.

Installation Process

Full fibre installation involves running an optical cable from the street to an ONT (optical network terminal) inside your home, usually positioned near a power socket and the entry point. Most homes complete this in half a day. Long driveways, blocked ducts or conservation area restrictions can extend the timeline.

GoFibre includes free installation with 24-month contracts. The company has recently run promotions like “don’t pay until 2026”, bundling free months at the start of service – useful during seasonal campaigns.

On installation day, the engineer brings two main pieces of equipment: the ONT and your router. They light the fibre, connect the router and test the service. If you plan to use your own mesh system, have it ready. Ask the engineer to position the ONT where you actually want your router or main switch to live, which saves running long patch cables afterwards.

Day-to-Day Performance

FTTP services deliver low latency and consistent evening speeds. You won’t see the busy-hour slowdowns that affect older cable or copper connections in congested areas. If your evening Netflix session or Teams call stutters, the issue usually comes from in-home Wi-Fi constraints: a device stuck on 2.4GHz, a console downloading a major patch, or a laptop two rooms away behind a chimney breast.

Wire your heavy-use devices and reserve Wi-Fi for mobile gadgets. If you work from home with frequent video calls, the 300Mb plan and above offers enough download bandwidth while the fully 50Mb or fully 100Mb upload speed on faster packages keeps screen sharing and cloud syncing smooth.

GoFibre earns an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot, with recent reviews praising installation crews and local support experiences. Public review scores fluctuate over time, so check the current rating directly rather than relying on older snapshots.

Add-Ons and Extras

GoFibre offers several upgrades that can transform a basic connection into a whole-home system with better coverage, faster management and enhanced security. Here’s what each add-on does, who benefits most, and practical guidance so you only pay for features you’ll actually use.

Advanced Router (£5/month)

The Advanced Router is GoFibre’s premium gateway. It offers Wi-Fi 6, includes a 2.5-gigabit Ethernet port, and links to the GoFibre app so you can view live speeds, change guest access, pause devices and monitor network health from your phone. If you choose the 500Mb or MAX 1000 plan, the faster LAN port helps you pull full speeds over a wired connection to a gaming PC, console or media server, while Wi-Fi 6 improves capacity when many devices connect simultaneously.

Antenna design and beamforming concentrate signal towards active devices, which improves performance in rooms several walls away. In large or awkward homes, the Advanced Router also acts as a hub for mesh – pair it with extra nodes to spread Wi-Fi into loft conversions, garden offices or long Victorian terraces. If your property has thick stone walls or an outbuilding, expect to add mesh; no single router overcomes structural challenges.

Who should pay for it? Busy households with 500Mb or 1000Mb plans, gamers who want low latency on a wired port plus strong wireless for other devices, and anyone who values simple control through the app. If you’re on 150Mb or 300Mb in a small flat, the Standard Router usually covers your needs unless you specifically want the app controls and extra capacity the Advanced model brings.

Enhanced Wi-Fi (£5/month per extra router)

Enhanced Wi-Fi is GoFibre’s mesh add-on. You keep your main router where the fibre enters your home, then add one or more mesh nodes to create a single Wi-Fi network with seamless roaming. The goal is simple: remove dead spots and maintain high speeds at the edges of your property. This upgrade suits homes on multiple floors, long floorplans, or properties with thick internal walls.

Placement matters more than anything. Position the extra node halfway between the main router and the weak area, not right next to either. If you already own a quality mesh kit, ask GoFibre to set the supplied router to bridge mode so your mesh manages channels and roaming. If you prefer a fully supported setup without third-party equipment, Enhanced Wi-Fi keeps everything under one app.

Wi-Fi Wizard

GoFibre references Wi-Fi Wizard alongside its Wi-Fi features as a way to simplify setup and optimisation. Think of this as guided help for getting the best from your equipment – ideal if you’re not confident choosing channels, positioning nodes or reading signal strength. Because the wording on the site can change, check your order basket for how Wi-Fi Wizard is delivered (in-app guidance, remote help or a setup service) and whether any charge applies. If you’re already comfortable with mesh placement and Ethernet runs, you may not need this; if you’re not, it can save considerable trial and error.

Balanced Broadband (£5.26/month)

Balanced Broadband raises upload speeds to match your download speed. The upgrade transforms performance:

  • On 150Mb, upload increases from 30Mb to 150Mb upload speed
  • On 300Mb, upload increases from 30Mb to 300Mb upload speed
  • On 500Mb, upload increases from 50Mb to 500Mb upload speed
  • On 1000Mb, upload increases from 100Mb to 1000Mb upload speed

Why does this matter? Upload speed is the performance you feel when you share large files, run cloud backups, post 4K video clips, stream gameplay with a camera feed, or present on a video call while syncing folders in the background. If your home handles large media libraries, uses multi-camera video calls, or shares content to the cloud throughout the day, this upgrade transforms how responsive everything feels. For content creators and remote workers, £5.26 per month often offers the least-cost way to remove a bottleneck without changing plans.

Two tips: First, wired devices benefit most because Ethernet guarantees the link between your device and the router; Wi-Fi always shares bandwidth with other activity. Second, if you choose MAX 1000 and add Balanced Broadband, you’re effectively running a symmetric gigabit service – plan your storage and backup schedules accordingly.

Cyber Shield (£2.50/month)

Cyber Shield offers network-level protection controlled in the GoFibre app. It blocks known malicious domains, alerts you if a new or unknown device tries to connect, and helps filter risky sites across every device on the network – laptops, phones, smart TVs and tablets included. Because it runs at the gateway, you don’t need to install an app on every device, which helps with guests and older equipment.

Think of it as a first layer of defence. Keep operating systems and browsers updated, and still run device-level protection on computers where you store work files. For families, combine Cyber Shield with separate child profiles or guest SSIDs so you can pause specific devices without shutting down the whole home.

Call Plan+ (£8.50/month)

Call Plan+ moves voice calls to your fibre connection using VoIP. You plug a handset into the router, keep your existing number, and make and receive calls without paying for a legacy copper line. The plan includes unlimited calls to UK mobiles and landlines, with the convenience of one bill and straightforward setup.

If you have children, look for parental controls in the router’s admin app or set device-level profiles. If you prefer your own mesh kit, contact support about bridge mode operation so you can keep your familiar app and settings. GoFibre promotes local customer service as a key difference from national ISPs. If short call queues and engineers who know your area matter to you, this could influence your decision when comparing similar prices.

Who Should Choose Each Plan

Choose 150Mb when: Price is your priority and you want full fibre benefits for everyday streaming, browsing and video calls. The fully 30Mb upload speed covers photo backups and document syncing, and the Wi-Fi 6 router handles a typical two-bedroom home smoothly. At £23.50 per month on a 24-month contract, this plan offers a low-cost route off copper or ageing cable services.

Choose 300Mb when: You have several screens streaming in the evening and frequent video calls during the day. The same upload as 150Mb keeps Zoom or Teams crisp while multiple devices browse and stream. Many households settle on this plan when the price gap to 150Mb is modest.

Choose 500Mb when: You download large console or PC games often, move media to cloud storage, or need spare capacity for a home full of connected screens and smart devices. The fully 50Mb upload speed helps with bigger backup sets, and the Standard Router handles the load if you wire static devices and reserve Wi-Fi for everything else. Recent £26.95 offers made this plan excellent value.

Choose MAX 1000 when: You need maximum bandwidth plus faster upload speeds and want the Advanced Router with built-in security. Content creators who publish large files, households with several heavy users, and anyone wanting the quickest downloads will appreciate the extra capacity. Recent £29.95 promotions bring the 1Gb plan into the same price range as some national 500Mb offers, which changes the calculation.

Switching to GoFibre

GoFibre participates in One Touch Switching. You place an order and GoFibre handles the admin with your current provider – no need to request cease codes or sit on hold. Choose your switch date and the systems coordinate the handover.

Switching credit: If you’re still within your minimum term, GoFibre offers up to £200 credit towards early termination fees. Opt in during checkout, then send proof of the fee to the email address shown. This credit typically covers most or all of a mid-contract penalty on mainstream FTTP services.

If you keep a landline number, mention it when ordering. Digital Voice ports work smoothly but timing matters to avoid service gaps. If you’re moving from a traditional line to VoIP, you’ll connect your phone to the router instead of the old master socket.

Coverage and Expansion

GoFibre operates as a regional provider connecting homes and businesses across the Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Moray and parts of northern England. The network combines commercial builds in towns with government-backed rural contracts.

Recent expansion: North Northumberland became the first UK Project Gigabit contract to complete in September 2025, several months ahead of schedule. GoFibre installed 415km of fibre reaching rural communities from Seahouses to Wooler.

In July 2025, the Scottish Government selected GoFibre for the North East Scotland Project Gigabit contract covering approximately 63,000 premises. This complements an earlier award in the Borders and East Lothian. August 2025 funding announcements confirmed additional backing to accelerate rural coverage.

Availability varies street by street as the company lights new sections of fibre. Always check your postcode on the GoFibre website for current coverage.

Comparing GoFibre to National Providers

The fairest comparison involves checking your postcode on the same day across multiple providers. On Openreach full fibre, common alternatives include BT, Sky, Plusnet and Vodafone. On CityFibre, Vodafone and several altnets often offer symmetric uploads or faster upload speeds at the same download speed.

GoFibre’s promotional pricing on 500Mb and MAX 1000 plans frequently costs less than equivalent national FTTP deals in covered streets, particularly during Black Friday and other seasonal campaigns. The 150Mb and 300Mb plans target price-conscious customers who still want full fibre benefits.

Upload speed comparison: MAX 1000’s fully 100Mb upload speed can lag behind symmetric 900Mb plans from some CityFibre ISPs. Content creators who push hundreds of gigabytes monthly should compare those options too. Openreach 500Mb plans occasionally offer 68Mb upload versus GoFibre’s 50Mb – that extra 18Mb helps with large photo libraries and offsite backups.

The message isn’t “GoFibre wins every comparison” – it’s “check the basket and include upload speeds in your decision”.

Final Verdict

GoFibre offers a straightforward range of full fibre plans with clear peak-time performance claims, competitive 24-month pricing and shorter 12-month options for people planning moves. The Standard Router covers most homes, while the Advanced Router on MAX 1000 adds enhanced hardware and security features. The company’s local support focus shows in both marketing and customer feedback.

The network footprint remains regional, but growth through Project Gigabit contracts in Scotland and early completion in North Northumberland shows momentum. If you’re in coverage, run the postcode check and compare the 24-month total and upload speeds against Openreach and CityFibre alternatives on the same day.

In many covered streets – especially during seasonal promotions – GoFibre 500Mb and MAX 1000 offer the best pound-for-speed value on the market. The One Touch Switching process and up to £200 credit for early exit fees simplify leaving your current provider mid-contract. Remember Ofcom’s automatic compensation rules: if activation misses, appointments aren’t kept, or service loss isn’t fixed within the defined window, you should receive credits without chasing.

GoFibre builds its reputation on local presence and community focus. For households in coverage areas looking for full fibre at competitive prices with responsive local support, GoFibre deserves serious consideration against national brands.

Work From Home Guidance

Video calls and remote desktops use modest download bandwidth but rely heavily on upload speeds, latency and jitter. The 300Mb plan handles a couple both on calls with cloud syncing in the background comfortably. The 500Mb plan adds extra bandwidth for heavy photo or video libraries. MAX 1000 offers more upload capacity and the Advanced Router for busier, device-dense households.

Keep your work PC wired and set your cloud client to throttle or schedule large syncs outside meeting hours. This prevents backup jobs from stealing bandwidth during important calls.

Gaming Recommendations

Wire your console or PC via Ethernet first. A 150Mb plan already downloads at a decent speed; move to 500Mb if you regularly install large game patches on release day. Wi-Fi 6 can deliver low-latency gameplay, but Ethernet still wins once you factor in walls, interference and device capabilities.

If you stream gameplay with a camera overlay, MAX 1000’s fully 100Mb upload speed keeps bitrates clean and prevents dropped frames.