Average Speeds – More than half of the customers get these speeds at peak time (8pm to 10pm). You can see the estimated speed for your home on providers’ website when you sign up.
Availability – You can check whether the service is available for your area on the sign-up page.
| Download Speed | 50MB File Download Time | 1GB File Download Time |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Mbps | 8 seconds | 2.67 minutes |
| 100 Mbps | 4 seconds | 1.33 minutes |
| 150 Mbps | 2.67 seconds | 0.89 minutes |
| 200 Mbps | 2 seconds | 0.67 minutes |
| 250 Mbps | 1.6 seconds | 0.53 minutes |
| 300 Mbps | 1.33 seconds | 0.44 minutes |
| 350 Mbps | 1.14 seconds | 0.38 minutes |
| 500 Mbps | 0.8 seconds | 0.27 minutes |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | 0.4 seconds | 0.13 minutes |
| Download Speed | Full HD Streaming | 4K Streaming | Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50Mbps | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 100Mbps | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| 150Mbps | 15 | 7 | 6 |
| 200Mbps | 20 | 10 | 8 |
| 250Mbps | 25 | 12 | 10 |
| 300Mbps | 30 | 15 | 12 |
| 350Mbps | 35 | 17 | 14 |
| 500Mbps | 50 | 25 | 20 |
| 1000Mbps | 100 | 50 | 40 |
| Activity | Upload Speed | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|
| Full HD Streaming | 8 Mbps | Less than 60 ms |
| 4K Streaming | 20 Mbps | Less than 40 ms |
| Playing Modern Games | 20 Mbps | Less than 20 ms |
| 4K Video Calls | 20 Mbps | Less than 40 ms |
| Name of cost | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | Monthly price of the broadband package. | £20 – £60 |
| Setup Cost | Installation cost. | £0 – £60 |
| Router Cost | Cost of the router device. Usuall included for free. | £30 – £150 |
| Postage & Packaging | Router P&P Charges cost. | £10 – £15 |
| Exit Fee | If you decide to end your broadband contract early, you’ll need to pay this fee. | Monthly price X number of months remaining in the contract. |
| Late Payment Fee | This is a fee charged if your monthly payment is not received on time. | £7 – £15 |
| 1st year cost | The monthly cost multiplied by twelve plus any additional charges like the setup cost. | From £240 |
| Total Contract Cost | Total cost over the entire contract period, including monthly fee and any other fees. | Varies |
| Provider | Contact Details |
Important Pages |
|---|---|---|
|
BT ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. Broadband and TV Bundles. |
Telephone: 0800 800 150, 0330 1234 150 Email: Online support: Help Section Online chat: BT Community Forum Postal address: BT plc PO Box 334 Sheffield S98 1BT |
Broadband Broadband and TV Traffic Management Policy Cancellation Policy |
|
Sky ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. Broadband and TV Bundles. |
Telephone: 0333 7591 018 Email: mysky@sky.com Online chat: Sky Community Forum Online support: Help Section Postal address: PO Box 43 Livingston West Lothian EH54 7DD |
Broadband Broadband and TV Sky Terms & Conditions |
|
Virgin Media Cable broadband.Landline. Broadband and TV Bundles. |
Telephone: 0345 454 1111 Email: Online chat: Virgin Media Community Online support: Help Section Postal address: Complaints Virgin Media Sunderland SR43 4AA |
Broadband Broadband and TV Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
TalkTalk ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. Broadband and TV Bundles. |
Telephone: 0345 172 0088 Email: Online chat: TalkTalk Community Online support: Help Section Postal address: TalkTalk PO Box 675 Salford M5 0NL |
Broadband Broadband and TV Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Vodafone FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0333 304 0191 Email: Online chat: Vodafone Community Online support: Broadband Postal address: Vodafone Limited The Connection Newbury Berkshire RG14 2FN |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
EE ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0330 123 1105 Email: Online chat: EE Community Online support: Help Section Postal address: EE Customer Services 6 Camberwell Way Sunderland Tyne and Wear SR3 3XN United Kingdom |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Plusnet ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0800 432 0200 Email: Online chat: Plusnet Community Online support: Help Section Postal address: Plusnet The Balance 2 Pinfold Street Sheffield S1 2GU |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Now ADSL, FTTC Fibre broadband.Landline. |
Telephone: 03303 323 050 Email: Online chat: Now Community Online support: Help Section Postal address: NOW TV Customer Care The Hub 1st Floor Grant Way Isleworth TW7 5QD |
Broadband Broadband and TV Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Onestream ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0333 241 4449 Email: hello@onestream.co.uk Online chat: Online support: Help Section Postal address: Onestream, 15, Fulcrum 2, Solent Way, Fareham, PO15 7FN |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Shell Energy ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0330 094 5801 Email: Online chat: Contact Online support: Help Section Postal address: Shell Energy Retail Limited PO Box 6363 Coventry CV3 9LR |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Zen ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 01706 902001 Email: Online support: Help Section Postal address: Zen Internet Sandbrook Park Sandbrook Way Rochdale OL11 1RY |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Hyperoptic ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband |
Telephone: 0333 332 1111 Email: support@hyperoptic.com Online support: Help Section Postal address: Hyperoptic Ltd, Kings House, 174 Hammersmith Road London W6 7JP |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Community-Fibre ADSL, FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband |
Telephone: 0800 082 0770 Email: Email form Online help: Help Section Postal address: Community Fibre Ltd, Fox Court, 14 Grays Inn Road, London, United Kingdom WC1X 8HN |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
YouFibre FTTC, FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. Landline. |
Telephone: 0800 2700000 Email: Contact form Online support: Help Section Postal address: YouFibre Limited 86-90 Paul Street EC2A 4NE |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
|
Gigaclear FTTP Full Fibrebroadband. |
Telephone: 01865 591 131 Email: support@gigaclear.com Online chat: www.gigaclear.com/chat Online support: Help Section Postal address: Gigaclear Ltd, Building One, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1UQ |
Broadband Traffic Management Cancellation Policy |
Before you start comparing, think about your requirements. Do you just need internet for emails and browsing or high speed broadband for streaming, gaming or working from home? Do you want a comprehensive TV package, or a basic service? Knowing what you need will help you find the best deals for you.
| Broadband Speeds |
| If you use the internet a lot, for things like gaming or streaming movies, you’ll need a fast connection. But if you just use the internet for browsing or emails, a basic package might be fine. |
| TV Packages |
| TV packages can vary a lot. Some offer hundreds of channels, while others provide a basic selection. Consider what you like to watch. Do you need sports channels, movie channels, or children’s TV? Make sure the package you choose includes the channels you love. |
| Phone Deals |
| Consider your home phone usage. Do you make a lot of landline calls, or do you primarily use your mobile? Some packages offer free evening and weekend calls, while others might provide unlimited calls. Choose a deal that matches your calling habits to avoid unnecessary costs. |
| Contract Length |
| When comparing broadband deals, it’s also important to consider the contract length. Some providers offer contracts on a rolling monthly basis, others lock you in for a year or even two. Consider your long-term plans and whether you’re willing to commit to a longer contract in exchange for lower monthly costs. |
| Fibre Broadband |
|
Fibre broadband is now widely available in the UK, covering over 95% of households. It is much faster and stabler than the old ADSL broadband.
Fibre broadband (FTTC) offers average download speeds ranging between 35 and 70 megabits per second (Mbps). You can expect to pay around £15-£30 a month. It’s perfect for browsing the web, streaming movies and video calling. |
| Ultra Fibre Broadband |
|
Ultra fibre broadband is a step up from regular fibre. It offers faster speeds, usually between 100 and 500 Mbps. It’s perfect for larger households, heavy gamers, or people who work from home. Imagine a family streaming 4K movies, playing online games, and video calling all at the same time – ultra fibre can handle it.
The cost for ultra fibre broadband is typically higher than standard fibre, starting around £21-£50 a month. Availability in the UK is growing but still isn’t as widespread as regular fibre. |
| Full Fibre Broadband |
|
Full fibre (also known as Fibre to the Premises or FTTP) is a top-tier broadband service. Unlike fibre and ultra fibre which still use some traditional copper lines, full fibre uses fibre optic cables all the way to your home. This leads to speeds up to 1,000 Mbps or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
Full fibre broadband is excellent for businesses or power users needing the fastest, most reliable connection. You can run multiple high-demand applications simultaneously without a hitch. Pricing for full fibre starts around £30 per month and goes up depending on speed and provider. As for availability, it’s less common than other types due to the cost and complexity of installation, covering around 20% of UK homes. |
| Gigabit Broadband |
|
Gigabit broadband refers to internet services providing speeds of 1 Gbps or higher. While it might seem similar to full fibre, gigabit broadband is more about the speed than the technology. It can be delivered using full fibre, cable, or even wireless technology in some cases.
Gigabit broadband is like a superhighway for data. It’s perfect for tech-savvy households, businesses, or for people who need the absolute best in speed and performance. Prices for gigabit broadband vary greatly, but expect to pay £60 upwards per month. Availability is limited in the UK, but it is growing rapidly as technology advances. |
| UK Broadband Providers |
| The UK broadband providers are offering a wide range of services to cater to different needs. Let’s compare the features and offerings of some leading providers. |
| BT |
| BT offers a range of broadband packages, including full fibre broadband. BT is well-suited for heavy internet users and families, thanks to their reliable service and inclusive BT Virus Protect. However, BT’s prices can be higher than some competitors, and their customer service receives mixed reviews. |
| Virgin Media |
| Virgin Media is highly popular for its ultrafast broadband speeds, making it an excellent choice for gamers, streamers, and large households. They also offer attractive bundled packages with TV and phone services. However, Virgin Media’s coverage isn’t as extensive as BT, meaning it may not be available in all areas. |
| TalkTalk |
| TalkTalk offers budget-friendly packages, which makes them suitable for those looking to keep costs low. It also provides a range of speed options and no mid-contract price hikes, which is a significant advantage. On the downside, it has some customer service and complaint issues. |
| Sky |
| Sky is unbeatable for its comprehensive TV packages. It also offers a range of broadband and TV packages. Sky broadband and TV bundle is a good choice, especially if you’re interested in sports or movie channels. Over-all, they are more expensive than other providers. |
| Plusnet |
| Plusnet offers excellent customer service and affordable broadband packages. However, its broadband service has less speed options than other providers such as Virgin Media and BT. |
| EE |
| EE offers a range of broadband plans. If you’re an EE mobile customer, you can get broadband discount and extra data on your mobile plan. However, its standalone broadband plans are not the cheapest on the market. |
| Hyperoptic |
| Hyperoptic offers ultrafast and gigafast broadband plans in the UK using its full fibre network. It is suitable for heavy internet users. However, its coverage is limited mainly to urban areas and specific apartment buildings. |
| Community Fibre |
| Community Fibre offers full fibre broadband at competitive prices. Although, it’s an excellent choice for Londoners, it is not available outside of London. |
