The One Broadband Review

The One Broadband offers full-fibre broadband (FTTP only) with three plan options, all with symmetrical download and upload speeds, modern Wi-Fi 6 routers, and optional mesh boosters for larger homes.

It doesn’t offer copper-based broadband or part-fibre (FTTC) – only full-fibre to your home.

The One Broadband

That’s good news if you care about speed and reliability, but it also means you’ll need to check availability using your postcode before signing up.

If you’re looking for a reliable full-fibre broadband connection without add-ons like TV or mobile, and you’re happy to manage your service mostly online, The One could be worth considering.

The One Broadband Deals

Three broadband plans are available, offering the following average speeds:

  • The Simple One – 150Mb download and 150Mb upload
  • The Chosen One – 900Mb download and 900Mb upload
  • The Everything One – Up to 2.2Gb download and 2.2Gb upload (some areas may get 1.8Gb)

These speeds are typical of full-fibre providers and suitable for everything from HD streaming and home working to heavy downloading and large households.

Plan Speeds Price
The Simple One
18-month contract
150Mb download speed £24.50 per month
£10 setup fee
1st year total: £304
The Chosen One
18-month contract
900Mb download speed £27.50 per month
£10 setup fee
1st year total: £340
The Everything One
18-month contract
2200Mb download speed £55.50 per month
£10 setup fee
1st year total: £676

There’s no lower-speed or entry-level plan — so if you’re a light user, the 150Mb plan is the slowest available.

Plans start from £24.50/month There is a £10 connection fee.

The One broadband packages come with an 18 month minimum term, and a £3 price increase every 1 April, even during the contract.

So if you sign up at £35/month in March, you’ll pay £38/month in April, and £43/month once your contract ends — unless you renew or switch.

How fast and reliable is the One broadband?

The One offers broadband over full-fibre (FTTP), which means your internet connection is delivered by fibre optic cable all the way to your home. There’s no copper line to slow things down.

If available in your area, you should expect:

  • Consistent speeds — fibre connections are far more stable than FTTC or cable
  • Symmetrical performance — upload speeds equal to download speeds on all plans
  • Low latency — better for online gaming, video calls, and live streaming

Like most providers, The One doesn’t offer a guaranteed minimum speed — but full-fibre generally performs very well.

Router and Wi-Fi

The One Broadband includes a Wi-Fi 6 router with every plan. The model you get depends on which plan you choose:

  • The Simple One – TP-Link HX220
  • The Chosen One – TP-Link HX550
  • The Everything One – TP-Link EX820V (multi-gig ready)

Each router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, has strong internal antenna design, and can manage lots of connected devices. They’re designed to make the most of your connection — especially the EX820V, which is built for multi-gigabit speeds and includes 2.5Gb Ethernet ports.

The routers are plug-and-play, preconfigured, and come with access to The One App for easy management. If you want to use your own router, it’s possible, but advanced configuration help from support may be limited.

The One Boost: mesh Wi-Fi coverage

If your home is large or has thick walls, you can add mesh boosters to improve Wi-Fi throughout the house. These are sold as The One Boost, and they work seamlessly with the supplied router to extend wireless coverage.

Guidelines from The One:

  • Small homes (up to 1,500 sq ft / 2 beds / 1 – 2 users): router alone should be enough
  • Medium homes (up to 2,500 sq ft / 3 beds): 1 booster recommended
  • Large homes (up to 4,000 sq ft / 5 beds / thick walls): 2 boosters
  • Extra-large homes (6,000+ sq ft / 6+ beds): up to 3 boosters

Delivery for boosters costs £10 if ordered after signup. Boosters and routers are loaned — you must return them if you leave.

Installation and setup

The One requires an engineer visit to install or activate your ONT (Optical Network Terminal) — the fibre socket that connects to your router.

Setup is usually simple:

  • Router is plugged into the ONT
  • Needs a nearby power socket
  • Router is preconfigured and works out of the box

Make sure someone is home at the agreed time — because if the engineer can’t complete the job due to access or cancellation, you’ll be charged £80.

Switching and cancellation

If you’re switching from another provider, check:

  • Are you still in contract? Early exit fees may apply
  • Will installation of your new connection overlap with your current one?

The One doesn’t currently offer credit towards your old contract’s exit fees, and because it only provides full-fibre, switching from part-fibre (FTTC) or cable might require a new installation.

The One uses the standard One Touch Switching system where applicable — but in some cases, it works more like a new service than a direct switch.

The One Voice

The One also offers a VoIP landline add-on called The One Voice. It runs over your broadband connection and is only available to customers already taking broadband from The One.

  • You can port your number, subject to checks
  • Porting usually takes up to 10 working days
  • You’ll need to use a compatible router (supplied or modified depending on plan)

This is useful if you still need a landline but don’t want to keep a separate copper phone line.

Customer service and support

The One provides digital-first customer support, meaning most issues are handled through:

  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • Phone (available, but not the main channel)

There’s no mobile app yet, but you can manage your connection, boosters and account through The One App or their web portal.

If you’re confident managing basic setup yourself and prefer online help, this approach works well. If you expect in-depth help with advanced router settings or Wi-Fi troubleshooting over the phone, other providers may be more suitable.

Is One broadband any good?

The One Broadband offers fast, full-fibre broadband with symmetrical speeds, solid hardware, and a straightforward product range.

Its routers are among the best offered by any provider at each speed level — and the option to add mesh boosters makes it a good choice for larger homes.

The pricing is honest but not the cheapest. You’ll pay more than the headline “from” price if you read the contract properly — and there’s a fixed price rise every April, even mid-contract. That said, you do get full-fibre speeds, fast upload, and modern equipment with every plan.

If you want reliable broadband with strong Wi-Fi and consistent performance, and you’re happy with a digital-first experience, The One is worth switching.

Who is The One Broadband ideal for?

  • Homes that already have full-fibre available
  • People who want upload speeds as much as download
  • Anyone who wants a Wi-Fi 6 router included and full-speed performance out of the box
  • Those happy to manage billing and setup mostly online

Where it might not be ideal

  • If you want fixed pricing during your contract — there’s a £3 annual increase
  • If you rely on phone-based technical support for advanced setup
  • If you want a cheap, long-term deal — pricing is mid-range, especially after the contract ends
  • If you often reschedule appointments — missed or cancelled installs cost £80

The One Broadband vs other full-fibre providers

If you’re in a full-fibre area, The One Broadband won’t be your only option. It competes directly with several other full-fibre providers — many of which also offer symmetrical speeds and straightforward broadband-only deals. Availability will always depend on your postcode, but here’s how The One compares to other providers commonly found in similar areas:

Hyperoptic

Well established in urban areas, Hyperoptic offers symmetrical speeds up to 1Gb on short-term contracts. It’s often rated highly for performance, and its pricing is competitive — especially for renters or anyone wanting a rolling contract. Hyperoptic is available in thousands of flats and new-builds but less so in rural or detached homes.

Community Fibre

If you’re in London, Community Fibre is likely to appear alongside The One. It offers symmetrical speeds up to 3Gbps and often includes a Wi-Fi 6 router and mesh units at no extra cost. Pricing is strong, and most plans include fixed pricing with no mid-contract rises.

YouFibre, Netomnia, Brsk

These newer providers have rolled out rapidly across towns and suburbs using their own full-fibre networks. Their packages typically include symmetrical speeds, lower pricing than the big names, and generous contract terms. In areas where they overlap with The One, they tend to compete on price and router features.

BT, Sky, Vodafone (full fibre)

National providers now offer full-fibre plans where FTTP is available, often over the Openreach or CityFibre network. These brands offer wide availability, but bundles often include TV or mobile — and you may pay more if you’re not taking extras. Most also apply annual price rises based on inflation + a fixed percentage, which can work out higher than The One’s flat £3 yearly increase.

Gigaclear, KCOM, and other regional ISPs

In more rural or specific regions (like Gigaclear’s rural FTTP network or KCOM in Hull), you may see other full-fibre providers available. These typically offer good speeds and reliable connections but may have more variable pricing or fewer extras like boosters or VoIP options.

Key comparison points:

  • Symmetrical speeds: Most providers listed here also offer upload speeds equal to download, though some (like BT) don’t by default.
  • Price rises: The One applies a flat £3 annual increase. Others (like BT, Sky, Vodafone) use CPI-based increases which can vary. Community Fibre and YouFibre sometimes offer price-locks.
  • Router quality: The One includes Wi-Fi 6 routers matched to plan speed — not all competitors offer this as standard.
  • Support style: The One is digital-first. If you want strong phone-based support or in-person retail help, a national provider may be more suitable.
  • TV bundles: The One doesn’t bundle TV or mobile. If that’s a priority, providers like Sky or Virgin Media are more suited to bundled packages.

If your priorities are symmetrical speeds, no bundled extras, and good Wi-Fi hardware, The One competes well with newer full-fibre ISPs. If you care more about price certainty, traditional customer service or multi-service deals, others may offer a better fit.

About The One Broadband

The One Broadband is operated by DSV Communications Limited, a private limited company registered in England and Wales. The business was incorporated on 21 September 2023, making it a relatively new name in the UK broadband market.

The company’s focus is on delivering full-fibre broadband services to residential customers, with no copper services or legacy packages. It operates on wholesale full-fibre networks and promotes symmetrical speeds and digital-first customer service.

Contact information:

Customers can get in touch with The One using the following:

  • Phone: 0330 912 8150 (typically available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
  • Email: support@theonebroadband.co.uk
  • WhatsApp: Messaging support available via the provider’s contact page
  • Registered office: 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, W1W 7LT

These contact options reflect The One’s digital-first approach, which focuses on messaging and self-serve support through online tools and its mobile app.

If you prefer phone-based troubleshooting, it’s worth knowing that The One prioritises online and app-based channels — though a phone line is available for account queries and VoIP users.

FAQ

Are upload speeds the same as download speeds on The One Broadband?

Yes. The One Broadband offers symmetrical speeds on all plans, so the upload speed is the same as the download speed.

This helps if you upload large files, use cloud storage frequently, or rely on video calls and live streaming, as uploads do not become the bottleneck.

Does the price increase during the contract?

Yes. The One Broadband applies a fixed £3 price increase every 1 April, even during the 18-month minimum term.

That means your monthly price can rise during your contract, so it’s worth factoring this into the overall cost when you compare deals.

Which router will I get, and does it use Wi-Fi 6?

Every plan includes a Wi-Fi 6 router. The model depends on the plan you choose: The Simple One comes with the TP-Link HX220, The Chosen One includes the TP-Link HX550, and The Everything One includes the TP-Link EX820V, which is multi-gig ready.

The routers are plug-and-play, arrive preconfigured, and you can manage settings through The One App or the web portal.

What is The One Boost, and do I need it?

The One Boost is an optional mesh add-on that improves Wi-Fi coverage in larger homes or properties with thick walls.

As a guide, smaller homes often manage with the router alone, while medium and larger homes may benefit from one or more boosters to improve coverage in rooms further from the router.

Boosters are provided on loan and must be returned if you leave. If you order boosters after signup, delivery costs £10.