Fibre Broadband

Fibre broadband

What is fibre broadband?

Fibre optic broadband is a type of high-speed internet connection, which uses fibre optic cables to transfer data. These cables are much more effective at transmitting data than their traditional copper counterparts, meaning that they can enable you to stream movies and music with ease, as well as download large files super quickly. In short – fibre broadband enables you to use the internet the way you want, with fewer limits.

You can get varying levels of fibre broadband – which offer anywhere between 10 MB/S and 1 GB/S of download speeds. The more speed you opt for, the more will be possible from your internet connection.

How does it work?

Fibre broadband uses a large network of cables to deliver large amounts of data over longer distances. When you use the internet, you create data. That data moves through these fibre cables at lightning speed until it reaches the central server. This results in getting information to you quicker, and through a much more reliable connection. Fibre replaces other previous internet connections like ADSL, which uses traditional copper cables to transmit data. Many UK households still have ADSL connections, but more and more are turning to fibre to meet the growing demands of modern life.

Fibre comes in two types: FTTC and FTTP. FTTC is otherwise known as superfast broadband and stands for Fibre to the Cabinet. This means that cables run between the phone cabinet in your street and the connection in your house. FTTP stands for Fibre to the Premises and is otherwise known as ultrafast broadband. It essentially means that the cables run straight into your home, meaning an even faster connection.

How fast is fibre broadband and can I get fibre broadband?

The speed of fibre broadband you can get depends on a number of factors, including the provider you go for, the area you live in, how many devices you connect to your broadband at once and how your home is wired. Speeds also vary throughout the day, decreasing in times of peak usage. Nowadays it is possible to reach speeds of up to 1 GB/S, but the average still stands at around 35 MB/S in the UK.

Why is fibre broadband better than other types of broadband connection?

You may remember the days when you had to “dial in” to the internet to establish a connection. This took time and was often unreliable. When you turned a page on the internet, it was often slow to respond, sometimes taking minutes to bring up the full picture. And when you did finally get onto the page, you often waited even longer for any images to appear. It was pretty frustrating, but times have moved on and, as technology has become more advanced, internet speeds have increased. Even when Wi-Fi became widespread – and dial-up internet slowly disappeared – some connection speeds were still slow. This made tasks such as watching videos and downloading files pretty arduous, with connections often struggling to cope with the pressure placed upon them.

Standard ADSL broadband connections still offer some limitations when it comes to downloading large files and streaming TV services. That’s why many households are switching to fibre broadband. This ultra-fast connection is also favoured by businesses, as it easily enables large numbers of users to connect via a range of computers and personal devices, providing minimal interruption to business operations. Most of the main providers offer deals for both consumers and businesses, so there’s naturally a lot of choice available. That is why it is always best to take the time beforehand to research and compare deals via a fibre broadband checker – as well as checking the speed performance in your area. While fibre optic connections seem attractive, their performance does vary between postcodes, so you often won’t reach the speed that is advertised on each company’s website.

New fibre technologies are opening up a world of possibilities for internet users

As fibre broadband enters a new era of mega-fast connections, this will open up a range of possibilities for internet usage. As a result of the recent technological advances, speeds of up to 1 GB/s are now possible – a huge rise on the current average speed of between 15 MB/s and 35 MB/s. Having such a fast and capable connection will mean that a significant number of devices will be able to connect to just one router, and will be able to perform a magnitude of downloading and streaming tasks.

Which companies offer the best fibre broadband?

There are many providers of fibre broadband in the UK – from the big players to much smaller new entrants. Below are some of the country’s main providers offering many of the best fibre broadband deals, and a summary of what each deal is likely to include. It is worth noting that many deals may seem similar on the surface – in terms of speed offered and price per month – but there are often a number of other factors in each contract that can be personalised to suit your individual needs.

BT fibre broadband deals

BT is one of the “big 3” providers in the UK. It started out as a company offering landlines before the invention of the internet. These days, it is one of the main providers of fibre broadband. It uses a standard fibre connection and offers some of the fastest download speeds for standard fibre broadband. It also offers perhaps the most extensive range of coverage. Millions of people in the UK therefore choose to go with BT for their fibre broadband needs and, last year, the company processed more than 50,000 PetaBytes of downloads! That more than doubled from the previous year’s figures – owing largely to the pandemic and those forced to work and school from home. BT offers three main fibre broadband deals – an entry-level deal at 35 MB/S and £23.99 per month; a middle deal at 49 MB/S and £27.99 per month; and a top of the range deal at 65 MB/S and £29.99 per month.

BT of course also offers its customers combined fibre broadband and TV deals, meaning that customers can tune into its multi-channel service at a highly reduced rate.

Sky fibre broadband deals

Sky is one of the other main providers in the UK – of both TV and fibre broadband. It offers similar deals to BT, and also aims to sell its customers combined packages of Sky TV, internet and phone. It offers unlimited broadband to its customers through its Sky Broadband Ultrafast and its Superfast packages, claiming speeds in excess of 100 MB/S in some areas of the UK. Sky is one of the most complex when it comes to choosing a fibre broadband package; although its fibre offering is pretty straight forward, the number of combinations of TV packs and phone deals that are possible means that it’s best to seek advice if you’re looking at this provider. You can compare available Sky deals here – you’ll see many different combinations available, which is great if you are looking for a way to truly personalise your fibre broadband and home entertainment experience.

Vodafone fibre broadband deals

Vodafone is paving the way in terms of ultra-fast broadband, pioneering the latest technologies to offer download speeds of up to 1 GB/S in some areas. It is in the process of rolling out this super-fast connection and intends to make it widely available over the next couple of years. This market-leading connection speed will enable households to connect more devices to the internet at the same time and will enable lightning-fast download times. It will also mean uninterrupted TV streaming and music downloads.

Customers that sign up for Vodafone’s revolutionary new fibre connection can opt for a range of speeds, from 100 Mb/s to 900 Mb/s. Prices begin at only £26 a month for its Gigafast 100 (100 Mb/s) contract. The next level up is a £32 per month deal for 200 Mb/s, then a £38 per month option for 500 Mb/s and – its top of the range deal – £48 per month for 900 Mb/s.

Vodafone’s Gigafast can be snapped up by select postcodes across the UK. This service area will then be extended over the next couple of years. Naturally, many people are interested in Vodafone’s Gigafast connection, as it is likely to completely transform the online experience in many ways. Keep checking to see when it will be available in your area if speed is a major factor for you.

EE fibre broadband deals

EE offers a range of fibre broadband deals for new and existing customers and incentivises those that are signed up to its mobile phone network. You can choose from two main EE deals – one aimed at small households and one for multiple devices. You will also be given a data allowance within EE’s deals, which will be automatically topped up each month if you are an EE mobile customer.

As it is owned by BT, EE fibre broadband customers can enjoy access to BT’s TV service at an additional cost. The two companies share their strengths, meaning that customers get more choice, more control and a reliable service.

Plusnet fibre broadband deals

Plusnet offers one of the cheapest fibre broadband deals on the market. At just under £18 per month and average speeds of 11 MB, Plusnet aims to make fibre broadband accessible for everyone. Its entry-level deal is perfect for people that live alone or in small households, particularly if they only intend to connect to the internet using one device. This package is ideal if you intend to use the internet mainly for emailing and browsing the web. If you are looking to stream TV services or download large files, it may be better to go with one of Plusnet’s faster deals.

How do I know which company offers the best fibre broadband packages?

You can easily compare fibre broadband packages from the companies listed above and many others. It is worth considering that there are many new market entrants starting to compete with the biggest companies, many offering the lure of ultra-fast speeds. Which is the best for you is a highly subjective and personal question. There are many aspects you’ll need to consider when looking at fibre broadband deals – speed is just one of them. Be sure to consider the length of your contract, as it’s important not to be tied in if you wish to move to a new house or just to shop around. Also, check the overall cost – so the monthly amount, plus any set up fees. Also, take into account that if data or minutes are not unlimited in your plan, you may be faced with additional charges.

How can I learn more about fibre broadband in my area?

If you are considering an ultra-fast connection, you can compare deals like that above that are available in your postcode. You can use our handy postcode fibre broadband checker, and instantly be presented with the best options. We know there is a wealth of choice available when it comes to fibre broadband. That is why we have made it easy to filter or narrow down your results. You can also arrange results by cost per month or by fibre download speeds. We aim to make it simple for our customers to quickly decide which deal is right for them – so be sure to use our fibre postcode checker and comparison tool to get started.

In conclusion

In conclusion, there are many providers you can choose from if you’re looking to secure a strong and reliable internet connection. New advances in technology are meaning that download speeds are constantly improving. This means that there is a lot of competition and often those that can reach the fastest speeds will become the most successful. Today’s internet generation is all about speed, so fibre broadband is only set to become more popular and more capable.