Claire Nottage | June 24th, 2022

SSE broadband review 2022: Is it any good?

SSE is part of the OVO energy group, and since 2015 it has been offering broadband deals in addition to gas and electricity. So what sort of deals does it offer, and is SSE broadband any good?

Results of our broadband survey

We interviewed 6,000 household broadband decision makers in 2021. This is how SSE broadband customers rated their service:

Installation/switching
Speed satisfaction
Reliability
Equipment/routers
Value for money
Likeliness to recommend

View the full survey

Our review of SSE broadband

An energy company may not be the first place you’d go to for broadband but as part of energy giant OVO, SSE is a solid business. Special offers from the OVO Live rewards and straightforward packages are plus points.

Reasons to buy

  • Value for money
  • 60-day guarantee
  • OVO Live

Reasons to avoid

  • No discounts for existing energy customers
  • No TV bundles
  • No inclusive security software

If you’re looking for a no-frills broadband provider and you aren’t bothered about all the extras on offer from the likes of BT and Sky, then SSE could be a good option. Plus, if you decide it’s not for you, you can leave without penalty in the first 60 days with SSE’s Happiness Guarantee.

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Overview

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect to find in an SSE broadband deal.

Average download speed 35Mbps, 63Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 500Mbps, 900Mbps
Average upload speed 9Mbps, 19Mbps
Broadband Fibre
Home Phone Yes

Broadband speeds

SSE previously offered standard ADSL broadband in addition to fibre, but now it simply offers Unlimited Fibre, with average download speeds of 35Mbps, and Unlimited Fibre Plus, with average download speeds of 63Mbps. It also offers four Full Fibre packages, with average speeds of 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 500Mbps and 900Mbps – where available. There are no data caps on any deal, so you won’t have to be concerned with hitting a limit and being charged. These speeds are typical of what’s offered by most fibre broadband providers.

The Unlimited Fibre plans both come on an 18-month contract, whereas the Full Fibre packages come on a 24-month contract.

A fibre connection should comfortably support a home with several devices being used at once, whether that’s a mobile, a laptop, a games console or any other internet-connected household appliance such as a smart meter. If you’re not sure what internet speed is right for your household, take a look at our guide to what broadband speed you might need.

Upload speeds

Upload speeds determine how quickly you can send emails and upload files to the internet. SSE offers standard average speeds of 9Mbps and 19Mbps, respectively, with its two fibre packages. This reflects what most other providers offer, and these speeds are easily fast enough for sending photos by email or uploading images to social media.

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Router and installation

When you sign up to SSE you will most likely be sent a DGA4134 Wi-Fi router. The device offers dual-band technology and it is also EasyMesh enabled so you will always get a good signal around your home.

If you want to leave before the contract is up, you will have to return the router and you may have to pay a fee. On the other hand, SSE does offer a 60-day Happiness Guarantee. This means that if you are not happy with the service, you can leave within the first 60 days without penalty. This is much more generous than other providers who only offer a two-week window in which you can cancel without penalty.

Installation

SSE does not charge any upfront costs, even for router delivery, and your service should be up and running within 18 days.

If an engineer needs access to your home, SSE will let you know as an adult will need to be in at the time. If not, the switch will be made remotely. If you need a new phone line for any reason, you will be charged £60. This is the standard cost imposed by Openreach and passed on by all broadband providers.

Check out our guide for more information on how to switch broadband providers.

Customer service

You can call the SSE customer service helpline on 0345 026 2658 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Or you can send an email by using the web messaging service. The provider also has active social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook where you can get in touch.

Our verdict: Good

So what to make of SSE as a broadband provider? Well, for one, you’re in safe hands. If you’ve not heard of SSE, it’s a huge company that’s part of the giant OVO energy group. You’re unlikely to have to worry about losing your broadband connection at any time, and can expect the same reliability as other providers that supply their service via the Openreach network, such as BT, Sky and Plusnet.

Its packages are generally cheap, but its contracts are long, with no one-month options available. The latest routers provided are comparable to those offered by most other major providers and will keep you whole home connected and online.

Although there are no TV packages offered with SSE Broadband, you will qualify to join OVO Live, which will appeal to live music lovers. It offers early access tickets, dedicated entrances to avoid queues and VIP lounges to enjoy in the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and the OVO Arena Wembley in London. For everyone else, there are probably better options available from the likes of BT, Virgin Media and Vodafone.

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