BT Broadband Review 2025

The question many households now face is whether BT justifies its higher monthly cost compared with rivals such as Sky, Vodafone, and Virgin Media. BT’s strengths lie in its wide availability, reliable full fibre performance, and the extras built into its service such as Complete Wi-Fi and its Stay Fast guarantee.

The downsides are the dated Wi-Fi 5 Smart Hub 2 router, annual price rises, and slower uploads than many alternative full fibre providers.

BT Broadband Speeds

BT broadband is delivered using the Openreach network, which is steadily upgrading UK homes to full fibre connections. That means BT can provide three types of broadband services depending on where you live: standard broadband (ADSL), part fibre (FTTC), or full fibre (FTTP).

• Full Fibre 150 delivers 150 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload on average. This is a good fit for small to medium households where multiple people are streaming or video calling.
• Full Fibre 300 offers 300 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. It suits families with several devices online at once, or households with heavier usage such as downloading large files.
• Full Fibre 500 delivers 500 Mbps download and 73 Mbps upload. This tier is a great option for larger families or those who stream in 4K and share the connection between many users.
• Full Fibre 900 offers 900 Mbps download and 110 Mbps upload. This is BT’s fastest package, designed for busy households that need the fastest speed and want the most consistent connection for work, gaming, or streaming across multiple devices.

Standard broadband, also known as ADSL, runs over the copper telephone line. It delivers around 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload on average. This is only available in areas where fibre has not yet been rolled out. It is sufficient for checking emails or light browsing, but struggles with streaming or remote working.

Part fibre broadband, or fibre-to-the-cabinet, is still common across the UK. Fibre runs to a local street cabinet, and the final stretch into the home uses copper wiring. BT sells three main packages on this technology: Fibre Essential at 36 Mbps, Fibre 1 at 50 Mbps, and Fibre 2 at 67 Mbps. Upload speeds range between 9 Mbps and 18 Mbps depending on the plan. Performance depends on how far your home is from the cabinet, so households at a distance may see slower and less consistent speeds.

Full fibre broadband, known as fibre-to-the-premises, is where BT delivers its best service. Fibre optic cabling runs directly into the home without any copper. This removes the bottlenecks that affect ADSL and FTTC and allows far faster download and upload speeds. BT currently offers four full fibre plans: Full Fibre 150, Full Fibre 300, Full Fibre 500, and Full Fibre 900.

Unlike smaller providers such as Community Fibre or Hyperoptic, BT’s uploads remain lower than downloads. While the asymmetry is not an issue for most users, households that regularly send large files to the cloud or stream live video may prefer symmetrical providers.

BT Smart Hub 2 review

The Smart Hub 2 has been BT’s standard router since 2018, supplied with all fibre and broadband plans. While it remains a great device for everyday use, it is beginning to show its age against the Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 routers offered by rivals.

Specifications and design

The Smart Hub 2 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with dual-band channels on 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Inside, seven internal antennas are arranged to maximise coverage and signal stability. The hub also includes four gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections, which are particularly useful for gaming PCs, consoles, or smart TVs that need consistent throughput. Integration with BT Digital Voice means customers switching to broadband-based phone service can plug their handset directly into the hub without needing a separate adapter.

Other features include automatic channel selection to reduce congestion, WPA2 security, and compatibility with BT’s Complete Wi-Fi service. In practical terms, the Smart Hub 2 delivers stable performance across most three-bedroom homes, and its Wi-Fi 5 capability is more than enough for streaming, browsing, and video calling. However, it struggles to compete with the higher throughput, lower latency, and multi-device efficiency of Wi-Fi 6 routers.

How it compares to rivals

Competing providers have largely moved on to newer standards. Sky supplies its Broadband Hub, which supports Wi-Fi 6 as standard and offers stronger handling of multiple simultaneous streams. Virgin Media equips Gig1 customers with the Hub 5, a Wi-Fi 6 router with intelligent mesh compatibility and faster throughput across modern devices. Vodafone’s Pro packages come with the Ultra Hub, a Wi-Fi 6E router that can operate on the 6GHz band for less congestion, paired with Super WiFi boosters to extend coverage.

Altnets such as Community Fibre and Hyperoptic also stand out in this area. Both typically ship Linksys Wi-Fi 6 routers, with Intelligent Mesh features that adapt coverage dynamically around the home. These routers outperform BT’s Smart Hub 2 on both wireless range and efficiency, especially in homes with multiple users streaming or gaming at the same time.

Coverage and upgrades

For small and medium homes, the Smart Hub 2 is usually sufficient, but coverage can be uneven in larger properties or homes with thick walls. BT’s solution is Complete Wi-Fi: mesh discs that extend the network and guarantee minimum speeds in every room, with compensation if that guarantee is not met. Customers can also opt for third-party mesh systems, which often deliver stronger performance than BT’s discs, especially for homes with many connected devices.

Verdict on the Smart Hub 2

The Smart Hub 2 is reliable and integrates smoothly with BT’s broadband and Digital Voice services. It offers enough functionality for the majority of households, but in 2025 it lags behind routers supplied by Sky, Virgin, Vodafone, and the altnets. Rivals now provide Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E hardware as standard, giving them an advantage for households with high device counts and heavy wireless usage. For BT customers who want to stay ahead of the curve, supplementing the Smart Hub 2 with Complete Wi-Fi or investing in a third-party mesh system is often the best route.

Add-ons

BT offers a few optional extras that set it apart from low-cost competitors.

Complete Wi-Fi allows households to request up to three discs to fix coverage issues. BT backs this with a guarantee of at least 10 Mbps in every room or a £100 bill credit.

Hybrid Connect provides a 4G backup through EE’s mobile network, keeping customers online if the fixed broadband connection fails.

BT Halo, once marketed as an enhanced service tier, has now been streamlined, but the concept remains: a more premium service with extra support, backup, and guarantees.

BT broadband packages and pricing

BT rarely competes to be the cheapest, but it positions itself as a premium option with more support and extras built into the service.

Broadband-only deals

Entry-level FTTC plans start from around £28 to £30 per month. These include Fibre Essential and Fibre 1.

Full fibre packages range from the low £30s for Full Fibre 150 to around £45 for Full Fibre 900. BT frequently offers reward cards or free setup as part of its promotions. Prices vary depending on contract start date and whether special discounts are running.

Annual price changes

BT applies annual increases to its broadband charges every 31 March. Contracts taken out after April 2024 typically see an extra £3 per month each year. Some newer contracts signed from mid-2025 carry a £4 per month increase instead. Home Essentials, the social tariff, is exempt from these rises. Customers need to be aware of this policy when budgeting, as many rivals also raise prices but by different amounts or percentages.

Contracts

BT broadband packages come with 24-month contracts. BT allows a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel without penalty. Early exit fees are calculated based on the number of months remaining in the contract. Activation fees vary, with FTTC often being a simple activation, while FTTP requires an engineer visit.

BT broadband and TV packages

BT rebranded its TV service under the EE brand in 2024. EE TV packages are still available as part of BT broadband bundles.

EE TV bundles

BT broadband customers can add EE TV to their plan, choosing from a flexible range of bundles that cover both entertainment and sport. All packages are sold on one-month terms, allowing households to add or remove content without being tied into a long TV contract.

The Entertainment plan combines NOW Entertainment channels with Netflix Standard (ad-supported) and discovery+ Basic. It is the entry option for those who want access to popular series and documentaries alongside Freeview channels.

For sports fans, the Sport bundle provides live coverage of TNT Sports plus discovery+ Premium. This includes Premier League football, Champions League, Premiership Rugby, and other major events, all delivered through the EE TV platform.

The Big Entertainment plan builds on the basic Entertainment option by adding NOW Cinema. This opens up access to Sky’s latest film releases and on-demand titles, making it a more complete package for households who watch a lot of movies.

The Big Sport plan combines TNT Sports with the full Sky Sports line-up via NOW. It is aimed at households that want both domestic and international sport across multiple competitions in one place.

At the top of the range, the Full Works bundle pulls everything together, combining all entertainment and sport packages into a single plan. It is the most expensive option but delivers the most comprehensive mix of live sport, films, and premium TV channels.

Because all of these bundles run on monthly rolling terms, households can switch between them if their interests change. For example, customers can upgrade to Big Sport during the football season and drop back to Entertainment later. This flexibility is one of EE TV’s main advantages over traditional satellite or cable contracts, which usually lock customers in for 18 months or more.

EE TV Box Pro

EE TV is powered by the EE TV Box Pro, with the option of smaller Mini boxes for secondary rooms. The Box Pro is the main set-top box and comes equipped with modern features to make the most of a fast broadband connection. It supports 4K HDR for ultra-high definition picture quality, Dolby Atmos for immersive sound, and has the capacity to record multiple channels at the same time. Recordings can be stored and accessed on demand, making it easy to watch live broadcasts later.

Mini boxes are available for use in other rooms around the home. These do not have the same recording functionality, but they allow access to all of the same channels and apps as the main Box Pro. They are designed to give seamless access to EE TV across the household, without needing a second satellite or cable connection.

The EE TV platform includes streaming apps directly on the box. Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, discovery+, NOW, and other services are integrated, so customers can move between live TV and streaming apps in a single interface. Unlike Sky’s satellite-based systems, EE TV runs entirely over broadband, so no dish installation is required. This makes it more convenient for households that want a flexible TV service without additional hardware outside the property.

When compared with rivals, the EE TV Box Pro holds up well. Sky offers Sky Stream and Sky Glass, which also deliver 4K and Dolby Atmos, but these come as part of larger packages and often involve higher equipment costs. Virgin Media’s TV 360 box supports 4K and a wide range of apps, but is tied to Virgin’s cable network, limiting where it can be used. EE TV, by contrast, is available wherever BT broadband is supplied and can be paired with any of BT’s full fibre packages.

Who should add TV

EE TV suits households that want a flexible mix of streaming and live channels without committing to a full satellite or cable package. Sports fans in particular can combine TNT Sports and Sky Sports under one provider. Costs add up quickly, so it is best suited to households that value premium sport and entertainment in one bill.

Speeds, latency and reliability

Performance is where BT’s full fibre service stands out.

Realistic speeds

ADSL plans deliver around 10 Mbps, which is now only useful for basic tasks. FTTC plans range from 36 to 67 Mbps, but performance varies based on the distance to the street cabinet. In peak evening hours, users at the edge of coverage may experience drops.

Full fibre plans are far more reliable. Speeds of 150 to 900 Mbps down and 30 to 110 Mbps up are typical, with consistency during busy periods. Unlike Virgin Media’s cable network, full fibre lines are less prone to congestion at the local exchange.

Latency and gaming

BT full fibre broadband offers latency in the low single digits. Ofcom’s testing shows average round-trip delays between 4.9ms and 7.3ms, which is fast enough for real-time activities such as gaming or video calls. In comparison, BT’s FTTC services generally sit between 11ms and 13ms, while ADSL measures closer to 24ms. This means full fibre gives gamers and remote workers a clear advantage, while FTTC remains usable but can feel less responsive at busy times.

Independent reports confirm the same latency levels. Full fibre connections usually deliver under 9ms, while FTTC latency is decent. That reflects what BT customers see in practice: single-digit pings on FTTP and low-teens on FTTC, with any spikes more likely caused by local Wi-Fi or network routing rather than the broadband line itself.

There are two points to keep in mind. Latency figures are measured to nearby servers, so connecting to a host further away will naturally add delay. And Wi-Fi adds its own variability, so the best results come when devices connect via Ethernet or a stable 5GHz wireless link. BT’s Complete Wi-Fi discs, or a mesh system, can help reduce jitter in larger homes where the Smart Hub 2 struggles to maintain signal.

Stay Fast guarantee

BT broadband includes a Stay Fast guarantee, which sets a personalised minimum speed for every household when they sign up. This figure is based on the line’s capability and is shown at the point of sale, so customers know the lowest download speed they should expect during peak hours.

If performance consistently drops below that minimum, BT gives customers the right to report a fault. The provider then has 30 days to resolve the issue. If speeds cannot be brought back up to the guaranteed level, customers are free to leave their contract early without paying exit charges.

The guarantee applies to all BT packages, including full fibre and part fibre connections. For households on FTTP, the minimum is usually very close to the advertised average, while FTTC lines get a wider range depending on distance from the cabinet. It is part of BT’s commitment to Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice, which aims to give customers more certainty and protection.

In practice, the Stay Fast guarantee adds peace of mind. It means customers are not locked into a contract if their broadband fails to deliver the speeds promised, and it sets BT apart from some budget providers that do not offer the same level of assurance.

Wi-Fi in the home

The Smart Hub 2 delivers decent Wi-Fi coverage, but it is not as strong in crowded households as newer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 routers. The Complete Wi-Fi add-on with discs solves many coverage issues and is worth considering for larger properties.

Customer service, complaints and user feedback

BT’s track record for customer service has been uneven, but the latest evidence suggests performance is improving. Ofcom’s 2025 reports show BT now attracts fewer complaints than in previous years, with satisfaction levels rising slowly as call handling and fault resolution times get shorter.

Ofcom data

According to Ofcom’s Comparing Customer Service report published in 2025, BT’s broadband complaint levels have dropped below the industry average. This marks a turnaround from earlier years when BT was frequently among the most complained-about providers. Despite this improvement, BT still trails Sky and Plusnet, both of which continue to post the lowest complaint figures and the highest satisfaction scores. BT sits comfortably ahead of TalkTalk and Virgin Media, which remain at the bottom of Ofcom’s rankings.

Customers now benefit from UK-based call centres and better-trained support staff. Response times are quicker than they were a few years ago, and the introduction of BT’s Home Tech Expert visits has helped reduce repeat complaints about installation or in-home connectivity. These measures have pushed BT into the middle tier of providers for overall service quality.

User reviews

Independent user reviews provide more detail on customer experiences. On Trustpilot, BT’s full fibre services receive positive feedback for stability and consistent speeds. Many customers highlight that once connected, the broadband service is reliable and downtime is rare. However, the same reviews often criticise the company’s approach to annual price increases, with frustration directed at mid-contract rises.

Discussions on Reddit reflect similar themes. Users generally praise the performance of BT full fibre connections but often complain about the Smart Hub 2 router. The lack of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 support is frequently raised, with many recommending third-party mesh systems to improve coverage in larger homes. FTTC customers are more likely to post about speed drops in the evenings, which reflects the limitations of copper-based connections rather than BT’s full fibre network.

The overall picture is one of improvement. BT still does not match the customer service reputation of Sky or Plusnet, but it is now positioned ahead of several major rivals. For households that value reliable support and the option of in-home engineer visits, BT is a stronger option in 2025 than it was just a few years ago.

Social tariff – BT Home Essentials

Home Essentials is BT’s social broadband plan for people on benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. It is one of the better social tariffs in the UK because it combines affordability with reasonable speeds.

The entry package provides fibre broadband at around 36 Mbps for under £16 per month. There is also a faster option at 67 Mbps for a slightly higher price. Unlike BT’s mainstream tariffs, Home Essentials is exempt from annual price rises. It also includes a call plan with 700 minutes of calls to UK mobiles and landlines.

This makes it a valuable option for low-income households who still need a reliable broadband service.

Digital Voice and the landline switch-off

The UK is shutting down the traditional copper telephone network by January 2027. BT is migrating customers to Digital Voice, which delivers calls over broadband.

Digital Voice is integrated into the Smart Hub 2. Customers plug their phone handsets into the hub rather than the wall socket. It supports inclusive call packages and optional international bundles.

Some older telecare and alarm systems may need testing or upgrading to work with Digital Voice. BT has processes in place to support vulnerable users through the transition.

How good is BT broadband?

BT remains a solid option for many UK households in 2025, with strong network reliability and wide coverage. It is rarely the cheapest choice, but it offers a balance of speed, service extras, and nationwide availability that appeals to a broad range of users.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Nationwide availability, with most homes able to get some form of BT broadband
• Reliable full fibre with low latency
• Strong extras such as Complete Wi-Fi and Hybrid Connect
• EE TV bundles for sports and entertainment
• Home Essentials social tariff exempt from annual price rises
• UK-based support and Home Tech Expert visits

Cons:

• Higher monthly prices than Sky or Vodafone
• Smart Hub 2 still uses Wi-Fi 5
• Annual price rises built into most contracts
• Upload speeds lower than symmetrical providers

Light users in small homes

For smaller households with only a handful of connected devices, BT’s entry-level Fibre 1 (50Mb) or Fibre 2 (67Mb) can be sufficient. These packages are built on FTTC lines, so performance depends heavily on distance to the street cabinet. In areas with short copper runs, Fibre 1 and Fibre 2 are capable of smooth HD streaming, video calls, and browsing across multiple devices. Where lines are longer, performance is less predictable, and the move to full fibre will usually provide a more consistent experience.

Families and mixed usage

BT’s Full Fibre 150, BT Full Fibre 300 and Full Fibre 500 packages are the sweet spot for most families. Average downloads of 300Mb or 500Mb are enough to support multiple 4K streams, large file downloads, and remote working all at once. Latency on these tiers is consistently low, meaning gaming sessions remain smooth even while others in the household are streaming or on video calls. For most homes with children, remote workers, and streaming enthusiasts under one roof, these mid-tier full fibre plans strike the best balance of speed and monthly cost.

Super-busy homes and home offices

Households that demand more bandwidth can step up to Full Fibre 900. With average downloads of 910Mb and uploads up to 110Mb, it is built for heavy-duty tasks. Content creators benefit from faster cloud backups, while gamers enjoy the lowest pings available on BT’s network. The only caveat is asymmetry: upload speeds lag far behind what providers like Community Fibre or Hyperoptic offer on their symmetrical lines. For customers who need maximum upload capacity, those alternatives may be more appealing. But for raw download throughput and consistent performance, BT’s top tier remains a strong option.

Short term broadband

BT generally locks customers into 24-month contracts, which can be restrictive for renters or anyone likely to move home in the near future. There are no rolling monthly terms on BT’s mainline broadband. That said, BT offsets this rigidity with resilience features like Hybrid Connect, which switches to EE’s 4G network if the fixed line fails. For customers who prioritise service continuity, this backup makes BT attractive even on a long contract.

Bottomline

BT broadband is rarely the cheapest option, but its reliability, wide availability, and extras like Stay Fast Guarantee and Complete Wi-Fi discs keep it competitive. Fibre 1 and Fibre 2 are suitable only where FTTC lines are short and stable. For most households, Full Fibre 300 or 500 deliver the right balance of speed and stability. And for the most demanding users, Full Fibre 900 is capable of supporting near-unlimited activity, with the main drawback being slower uploads compared with altnets offering symmetrical connections.

Final verdict

BT broadband in 2025 continues to stand out for reliability, coverage, and bundle options. Full fibre customers enjoy consistent speeds, and extras like Complete Wi-Fi and Hybrid Connect improve the experience. EE TV makes BT attractive for households wanting both broadband and entertainment under one provider.

It is not the cheapest choice. Prices rise annually, and the Smart Hub 2 is dated compared to rivals. Upload speeds also trail behind providers that deliver symmetrical services.

However, for households that value stability, a trusted brand, and the ability to combine broadband, TV, and mobile, BT remains a solid choice in 2025.

BT vs competitors

BT sits in the middle of a highly competitive UK broadband market. Its strengths lie in national reach, stable full fibre performance, and bundled services, but rivals often win on price, router hardware, or symmetrical speeds.

BT vs Sky

Sky and BT both sell broadband over the Openreach network, so their full fibre packages deliver similar download and upload speeds where available. The key differences come in equipment and pricing. Sky ships a Wi-Fi 6 router as standard, which handles congestion from multiple devices more efficiently than BT’s Wi-Fi 5 Smart Hub 2. In real-world use, that means fewer slowdowns when several people stream or game simultaneously on Wi-Fi. Sky often undercuts BT slightly on pricing, especially for new customers, and pairs broadband with its TV platform, which remains one of the strongest in the market. BT’s advantages are broader name recognition and the flexibility of EE TV bundles, which run entirely over broadband without requiring satellite installation.

BT vs Vodafone

Vodafone has positioned itself as one of the most aggressive competitors on price. Its full fibre deals are often cheaper than BT’s, especially in CityFibre areas where Vodafone can also offer symmetrical uploads. Vodafone’s Pro packages include Wi-Fi 6E routers with mesh nodes and a 4G backup service. On paper, this makes Vodafone’s hardware offering stronger than BT’s Smart Hub 2 plus optional Complete Wi-Fi discs. However, BT retains an edge in brand reputation, UK-based support, and extras like the Stay Fast guarantee. For customers willing to pay slightly more for established customer service and wider package options, BT still holds appeal.

BT vs Virgin Media

Virgin Media is BT’s closest rival on speed. Virgin’s top tier, Gig2, delivers up to 2Gbps downloads in select areas, while BT’s Full Fibre 900 peaks at 910Mb. Virgin also supplies Wi-Fi 6 routers and offers bundled Volt packages with O2 mobile. The trade-off is uploads: Virgin Media still caps them well below downloads, and its hybrid fibre-coaxial network can experience higher latency than BT’s fibre-to-the-premises. For raw speed, Virgin remains ahead. For consistency and lower latency, especially for gaming, BT’s full fibre often performs better, even if headline speeds are lower.

BT vs altnets

Smaller full fibre providers such as Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, and YouFibre offer some of the most compelling deals where available. They sell symmetrical gigabit connections—matching uploads and downloads—for less than BT charges for its asymmetric Full Fibre 900. For creative professionals, gamers, or anyone uploading large files, these altnets offer unbeatable value. The limitation is coverage: they are restricted to specific cities and regions, while BT’s Openreach network continues to expand nationwide. For most households, BT remains the more realistic option, but where altnets are available, they offer better performance per pound.

FAQs

Is BT broadband any good?
Yes, BT broadband is reliable and widely available. Full fibre plans are stable and fast, though not the cheapest.

How fast is BT full fibre?
BT offers speeds from 150 Mbps up to 900 Mbps download, with uploads between 30 Mbps and 110 Mbps.

Does BT increase prices mid-contract?
Yes. Most BT broadband plans increase by £3 or £4 per month every 31 March. Home Essentials is exempt.

Is BT Smart Hub 2 any good?
It is stable and integrates Digital Voice, but it is a Wi-Fi 5 router, so it lags behind Wi-Fi 6 devices from rivals.

Can I get BT broadband and home phone?
Yes. BT supplies Digital Voice, which delivers calls over broadband. Call packages can be added.

Can I add EE TV later?
Yes. EE TV can be added to an existing BT broadband plan with one month’s notice.

Further Reading