How to get the best fibre broadband deal
In this guide
- Can I get fibre broadband?
- Best fibre broadband deals in July 2020
- Why should I get fibre broadband
- Which providers offer fibre broadband
- Fibre vs ADSL broadband
- How fast is fast? Superfast vs ultrafast
- How do I find the right fibre broadband package for me?
- Frequently asked questions
With high speeds and great reliability, fibre optic broadband has become more and more common. But before looking for the best deal in your area, you'll need to consider your household's needs.
Can I get fibre broadband in my area?
Fibre broadband is currently available to somewhere between 97% and 98% of UK households. It’s likely you’ll only find yourself in that narrow percentage who can’t get it if you live somewhere very rural such as a very small village or hamlet.
Nevertheless, availability between specific providers does vary. If you want to be sure of exactly what you can get in your postcode, use the checker at the top of this page.
The best fibre broadband deals in July 2020
-
Virgin Media M100 Fibre Broadband
-
BT Fibre 2
- 67Mb average speed
- Unlimited usage
- PAYG calls
£110 Reward Card -
TalkTalk Superfast Fibre Broadband
Why should I get fibre broadband?
If you're still using ADSL or standard broadband, then you might wonder what all the fuss is about. Some internet users, particularly those who mostly go online to check social media and send emails, do just fine with basic broadband. For many of us, though, a fibre optic connection has become a necessity.
If any of the following criteria fit your household, then you should think about switching to fibre broadband if you:
- Have 2 or more people using the internet at once in the same household
- Like streaming TV and movies (Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, etc.)
- Regularly upload photos and videos
- Have 5 or more devices (smartphones, computers, smart TVs, tablets, etc.)
- Play video games online
- Regularly download games, movies, and other large files
- Work from home or use your home broadband for work
- Make video calls with services like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime
- Upload files, photo, and videos to the cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
If you do any or all of the above, a fibre optic broadband connection will make your life a lot easier.
Nowadays, fibre broadband has been rolled out to over 97% of UK households. However, it is still unavailable in a few areas, particularly in very rural locations. What's more, some providers don't offer coverage everywhere, so your choice of fibre broadband deals will depend on where you live.
Enter your postcode into our checking tool to see if fibre broadband is available in your area.
Which providers offer fibre broadband?
All of the major UK providers offer fibre optic broadband, as well as smaller companies. These include:
- BT: Still the most popular provider in the UK, BT is a giant in the marketplace. Look out for a good deal, as otherwise it can be expensive.
- Sky: If you subscribe to any of its TV services, you may be able to save money with a handy bundle.
- Virgin Media: With top speeds almost eight times faster than its nearest rival, Virgin offers an extremely reliable service. Unfortunately, Virgin Media’s network isn’t available to the whole of the UK.
- Plusnet: Now owned by BT, Plusnet is well known for its customer service and reliability.
- Vodafone: More famous as a mobile provider, Vodafone has branched out into broadband. It offers competitive prices and good customer service.
- TalkTalk: One of the cheapest providers around, TalkTalk offers fixed-price contracts and often throws in free gifts or cashback.
- EE: If you're already an EE mobile customer, you'll find particularly good packages on offer.
- John Lewis Broadband: This is a good choice if you regularly shop at Waitrose or John Lewis, as it often offers gift cards. This provider prides itself on its customer service.
- Post Office Broadband: This is a good choice for older users who may not be very tech-savvy. It is designed to be as user-friendly as possible.
- Shell Energy Broadband: One of many companies to branch out into the broadband market, Shell Energy usually has a number of cheap, no-frills packages available.
- SSE: This energy provider offers competitively priced packages for both ADSL and fibre broadband.
Fibre broadband vs ADSL broadband
On a technical level, there are some very important differences between fibre broadband and ADSL. However, for the average user, it comes down to speed. Put simply, ADSL is a lot slower than fibre broadband.
An ADSL connection will usually be about 10Mbps. That's fine for basic internet usage, but you can find fibre optic broadband deals that exceed 500Mbps. If you're a heavy internet user, then there's really no comparison between the two.
It may be cheaper to stick with an ADSL connection, but with fibre broadband deals, you needn't spend a fortune. It's perfectly possible to find affordable fibre optic broadband for the home.
How fast is fast? Superfast vs ultrafast
When you start looking at broadband providers, you'll see these words thrown around a lot. They do actually have a specific meaning, though, so pay attention.
High-speed broadband
High-speed broadband is not a legally protected term. That means that it has no official definition. Ten years ago, high-speed broadband was very different from what it is today!
Superfast fibre broadband
Superfast does have a specific definition. It refers to broadband connections with a speed between 24Mbps and 300Mbps. This will be more than enough to suit the needs of most households.
Ultrafast fibre broadband
At the moment, if you want ultrafast broadband, you'll have to look for deals from Virgin Media. With connection speeds from 300Mbps to over 1000Mbps, ultrafast broadband is the choice of serious gamers or very large households.
How do I find the fibre broadband deal that's right for me?
Deals are always changing, but you'll still have plenty of choice at any given time. Some packages might only cover your broadband and land rental, while others offer much more, including broadband and TV bundles or enticing freebies.
You can use our comparison tools at the top of the page to check the deals currently available in your area. One important thing to keep in mind is the speed that you need. A good rule of thumb is to start with 10Mbps for everyone in your household who uses the internet. You may need to adjust this under some circumstances. If any member of the family is a gamer, they'll need at least 20Mbps. If you've got a 4K TV with ultra-HD, add another 10Mbps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get fibre broadband in my area?
Use our postcode checking tool to see if fibre broadband is available in your area. Nowadays, you'll probably find it available. However, if you live very rurally, this may not be the case.
Why can’t I get fibre broadband in my area?
There are still a few parts of the UK where fibre optic technology has not been introduced. It's worth checking with different providers. For example, Virgin Media fibre broadband is only available to around 60% of the country. Other providers may be slower, but offer far more coverage.
Is fibre broadband affordable?
Yes, particularly if you've got an eye for a bargain. Search for deals, and look out for bundles that package together services, such as TV and mobile. That way you can save a lot on your monthly bills. It's possible to find cheap fibre broadband deals, but they come and go, so be sure to keep your eyes open.
Should I choose limited or unlimited fibre broadband?
Limited fibre broadband is cheaper, but if you cross your monthly data cap, you'll be in trouble. If you have any doubts, it's better to go for an unlimited fibre broadband deal.
Do I need a new router for fibre optic broadband?
Yes. This is something that your provider will almost always take care of during the installation process.
How can I check my broadband speed?
Use our free broadband speed checker. For standard broadband, 11Mbps is considered a good speed.
Can I get fibre broadband without a landline?
At present, only Virgin Media offers this service. Coverage is limited around the UK, so this may or may not be available in your area.