Cuckoo Broadband

Cuckoo Broadband is one of the smaller independent broadband providers in the UK, but it’s carved out a distinct place in the market by focusing on simplicity, speed, and service. Unlike larger ISPs that bundle broadband with TV, mobile, or complex promotional deals, Cuckoo keeps things streamlined — offering three full-fibre plans, all with symmetrical speeds and a top-tier router included.

cuckoo broadband

This review explores Cuckoo’s broadband packages, router hardware, pricing, performance, customer service, and availability in 2025 — giving you a clear and honest overview to help decide if it’s the right fit for your household.

What Makes Cuckoo Different?

Cuckoo entered the UK broadband space a few years ago with a mission to simplify how internet service is sold and supported. Instead of pushing confusing bundles or offering headline discounts followed by hidden price hikes, Cuckoo focused on three things: full-fibre connections, transparent pricing, and great customer support.

Today in 2025, that approach continues. Cuckoo only offers fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband — no copper lines, no hybrid connections, no legacy ADSL. Its three straightforward plans differ only by speed and contract length, and every customer receives a free eero Pro 6E Wi-Fi router. While it doesn’t compete with the major brands on extras like streaming deals or call packages, Cuckoo does excel in delivering reliable broadband with consistent speeds and responsive UK-based support.

FTTP and Symmetrical Speeds

Cuckoo exclusively uses Full Fibre (FTTP) technology, delivering internet directly to the premises without relying on older copper lines. This means connections are faster, more stable, and unaffected by the distance from the cabinet — unlike older FTTC setups.

All Cuckoo broadband plans offer symmetrical speeds, meaning the upload speed is the same as the download speed. This is a major advantage for remote workers, content creators, and families who rely on cloud backups, video calls, or multiplayer gaming.

There are no ADSL or FTTC options, so if your home doesn’t support FTTP yet, Cuckoo won’t be available. Availability is improving, but coverage still doesn’t match providers with hybrid or copper-based options.

Cuckoo Broadband Plans in 2025

As of 2025, Cuckoo offers three FTTP plans, all of which include unlimited data, symmetrical speeds, and no mid-contract price rises. The plans are:

C-150

  • Speed: 150Mbps (download/upload)
  • Best for: Couples, small households, or moderate internet use
  • Price: Around £28/month

C-500

  • Speed: 500Mbps (download/upload)
  • Best for: Larger households, remote working, streaming, gaming
  • Price: Around £33/month

C-900

  • Speed: 900Mbps (download/upload)
  • Best for: Power users, gamers, home offices, or shared households
  • Price: Around £38/month

Each of these plans can be taken on either a 12 month or 24 month contract. There’s no option for a rolling monthly deal anymore — this was previously available but has since been discontinued.

Amazon eero Pro 6E Router

Cuckoo provides every new customer with a free Amazon eero Pro 6E router, which is one of the most advanced Wi-Fi devices offered by any UK provider today.

Features:

  • Wi-Fi 6E support for faster, less congested wireless connections
  • Tri-band performance (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
  • Mesh-ready for large homes (can be extended with additional eero units)
  • Built-in security features and automatic firmware updates
  • Excellent range and throughput for modern smart homes

Unlike many providers that use budget or rebranded routers, Cuckoo’s inclusion of this premium hardware ensures strong coverage and speed throughout most homes. There’s no need to buy a separate mesh system or upgrade the router, unless you live in a particularly large or difficult property.

Installation and Setup

Sign-Up and Delivery

Signing up for Cuckoo broadband is simple and can be done online in just a few minutes. After signup, the router is typically shipped out within a few days.

Installation Timeline

  • Average time to go live: About 10–14 days from order
  • Engineer visit: Only required if there’s no existing FTTP line
  • Self-install: In most cases, users just plug in the router and follow the app instructions

Switching From Other Providers

If you’re switching from a provider that uses the Openreach FTTP network (e.g. BT, EE, Sky, TalkTalk), the switch is automatic — you don’t need to cancel with your old provider yourself.

If you’re moving from Virgin Media (which uses a separate network), you will need to notify Virgin manually to cancel your service.

Home Phone

Cuckoo includes a landline line with its broadband packages, but it’s basic. There are no call bundles — meaning you’re charged at standard pay-as-you-go rates for any calls made.

What You Get:

  • A working landline with the broadband line
  • Caller ID and voicemail (1571) included free
  • No inclusive calls or upgrade packages available

For households that still use landlines for calling, this is a limitation. However, it suits users who no longer rely on traditional voice calls and are happy using mobile or VoIP alternatives.

Customer Service and Support

Customer support has been one of Cuckoo’s strongest points. It’s consistently ranked highly by independent review platforms and surveys.

  • Rated over 4.5 stars on Trustpilot
  • Customer support available via:
    • Email: hello@cuckoo.co
    • Phone: +44 203 389 7211 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
    • Online chat on the website
    • Social media (Facebook, Twitter)

All support is UK-based, and feedback from customers frequently mentions helpful and responsive interactions. There’s also an online help centre and a small community forum.

Availability and Coverage

Cuckoo is available to over 17 million UK homes, but because it only operates on full-fibre (FTTP), its coverage is still limited compared to copper or hybrid providers.

  • Based on the Openreach FTTP rollout
  • No support for properties that only have ADSL or FTTC
  • Not available via CityFibre or other alternative networks

Cuckoo provides a postcode checker on its website to confirm availability. If FTTP is not yet live at your address, you won’t be able to sign up.

Price Stability and Billing

One of Cuckoo’s key selling points is transparent pricing. You won’t find teaser rates or mid-contract price hikes.

Pricing Policies:

  • No in-contract increases
  • Clear monthly fees based on contract length and speed
  • All taxes and setup costs are included upfront
  • Free setup on all 12- and 24-month plans

There are no hidden fees, no introductory discounts that vanish later, and no re-contracting traps. This approach appeals to customers who value cost certainty.

Go-Live Flexibility

Another useful feature Cuckoo offers is go-live scheduling. You can choose to activate your broadband up to 24 months in advance. This is ideal for:

  • People moving into new-build homes
  • Planning ahead for relocations
  • Students preparing for term-time

You won’t be charged the setup fee or first bill until around two weeks before your chosen go-live date.

Community Projects and Ethical Focus

Cuckoo sets aside 1% of every customer’s bill to support internet access initiatives worldwide. These include:

  • Funding broadband in underserved areas
  • Helping communities in disaster zones or war-affected regions
  • Supporting nonprofits working on digital inclusion

This isn’t a gimmick or temporary campaign — it’s built into their operating model. Few ISPs in the UK offer anything comparable.

Pros and Cons

Advantages:

  • Symmetrical full-fibre speeds (150 to 900 Mbps)
  • Reliable and fast Amazon eero Pro 6E router included
  • Simple plan options and contracts
  • No mid-contract price hikes
  • High-rated UK-based customer service
  • Social impact through 1% bill donation

Limitations:

  • No rolling contract option (12 or 24 months only)
  • Not available in non-FTTP areas
  • No call bundles or TV/mobile add-ons
  • No discounts or promotional freebies

Final Verdict: Is Cuckoo Worth It?

Cuckoo Broadband is a great option for users who want straightforward, reliable FTTP broadband with no strings attached. While it doesn’t offer the extras and bundle deals you get from providers like Sky or Virgin Media, it makes up for that with honest pricing, high-quality hardware, and strong support.

It’s not the cheapest provider, but it’s priced competitively, especially considering the router quality and upload speed symmetry. It’s not available everywhere, but where it is, performance is solid and customer feedback is excellent.

If you live in an FTTP area and value clarity over complexity, Cuckoo is one of the most dependable choices in the UK broadband market today.