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We check all the top UK broadband providers including altnet FTTP providers.
Our broadband availability checker searches all types of broadband including fibre and full fibre where you live so you can compare the best prices and speeds.
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We check all the top UK broadband providers including altnet FTTP providers.
Author: Dan Howdle, November 23rd, 2023
Before choosing a new broadband deal the very first thing you need to consider is what's available where you live. Because it may well be you'd really like to get a crazy-fast gigabit full fibre deal, but ultimately you're going to be limited by what's available in your postcode. Or, more precisely, which broadband network technologies are available.
And we'll get into which technologies exist, how they differ, and how likely you are to be able to get each of them a bit further down the page. But for now, know this: You're in the right place to find out. Stick your postcode in at the top of this page and we'll show you what you can get. It's that simple. The rest of this page is for those curious about the detail.
You're in the right place to find out which broadband deals are available in your postcode. Congratulations and welcome. Here's how to compare like a pro in five easy steps:
Of course, not everyone comes into their search knowing what speed they need. Don't worry! We have a tool that'll help you find out. Just hit 'Get started' below:
Let us help guide you to your new broadband deal. We'll check speeds and providers at your home, saving you time and money.
The speed ranges available to your home are defined by the types of broadband technology running through your street. So let's first take a look at the types of broadband that are widely available in the UK, which will help you better understand why you can get the speeds you can get where you live.
On two widely-available broadband networks (the physical web of cables, cabinets and exchanges), and where you live will determine both which of the two you will be able to get, and which broadband technologies are available to you on those networks. Here's an at-a-glance look at what all that means:
| Technology | Also known as | Speed range | Availability to households |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADSL | Standard broadband, fast broadband | 10-11Mbps | 99.98% |
| FTTC | Fibre to the cabinet, superfast broadband | 35-67Mbps | 97% |
| FTTH | Full fibre, ultrafast broadband, gigabit broadband | 50-900Mbps | 24% |
| Cable broadband | Virgin Media Broadband | 50-1130Mbps | 60% |
If any of that terminology is confusing, don't worry. All you really need to understand is the type of cables running past your home determines the technology you have available to you, and the technology determines the speed you can get.
We've established so far that which broadband speeds you get are determined by which technologies run through your street, but what about providers? Well, it's pretty straightforward, since there are in essence three 'types' of provider, with Virgin Media being a type in and of itself since it's the only provider that is widely available using its own discrete network. Almost everyone other provider is on the Openreach network and therefore mostly offer similar speeds. Altnets are local providers running their own network, and we'll talk about those separately in the next section. For now here's a brief overview of the most common providers and what they offer:
Most UK homes will only see the main providers pop up in their search results after entering their postcode – your Sky, your Virgin Media and so on – but some may also find a local provider or two is available. Local providers are usually what's known as an 'altnet' or 'alternative network'. They operate on their own network (not Openreach or Virgin Media) and serve clusters of homes and businesses in specific towns, cities and villages. Some, such as Gigaclear, even specialise in bringing ultrafast broadband to very, very rural locations.
If you do see an altnet listed when you enter your postcode, do consider signing up to it. Most of them are very good indeed, providing extremely fast broadband via truly excellent equipment. They also tend to offer exceptional value for money. Here are some things most, but not quite all, altnets have in common:
Should that have piqued your interest about altnets, we've reviewed a whole bunch of them in our reviews section.
We have dedicated pages about broadband in your area including speeds, providers and the latest deals.
The easiest way to find the best broadband in your area is to use our broadband postcode checker. Jump back up to the top of the page and find out the best providers and deals available.
It depends. Hyperoptic came top in our broadband customer survey, however it's only available to a fraction of UK homes. BT has fared particularly well in most areas more recently, while Virgin Media still offers the fastest widely available service. It ultimately comes down to what you can get, what you can afford and, importantly, what you actually need.
96% of UK households can access superfast fibre broadband. To check if you can, simply enter your postcode to see the best providers and speeds available to you.