NOW Broadband Review 2026

NOW Broadband is Sky's budget sub-brand, offering Full Fibre packages from £23/month on 24-month contracts using the Openreach network. Speeds range from 75Mbps to 300Mbps on the Full Fibre range. Historically NOW has carried one of the highest complaint rates among major UK ISPs — around 65 complaints per 100,000 customers in 2024 per Ofcom data — though more recent quarters have shown some improvement. It covers around 51% of UK homes via the Openreach network.

Packages and Pricing

NOW Broadband's Full Fibre range comprises three tiers: Full Fibre 75 at £23/month, Full Fibre 100 at £25/month, and Full Fibre 300 at £30/month — all on 24-month contracts. An April 2026 price rise added approximately £3/month to new customer rates. NOW also offers a social tariff for eligible Universal Credit recipients. There is no line rental charge on Full Fibre plans, and setup and delivery are free. Unlike parent brand Sky, NOW does not include a high-specification router or TV hardware. A basic router is provided. NOW TV passes (streaming entertainment) can be added to the broadband package at an extra monthly cost. Compared with Plusnet and TalkTalk, NOW's pricing is competitive at entry level. The top tier caps at 300Mbps, which means it does not offer a gigabit option — a limitation compared with most Full Fibre providers in 2026.

Performance: Speeds, Reliability, and Latency

NOW Broadband uses the Openreach Full Fibre network, so the physical network-layer performance matches that of BT, Sky, EE, and Plusnet on the same infrastructure. Full Fibre 75 customers typically achieve 75–90Mbps wired at peak times. Full Fibre 300 customers see approximately 280–320Mbps on a direct ethernet connection. Upload speeds are asymmetric: approximately 16Mbps on the Full Fibre 75 plan and 40Mbps on Full Fibre 300 — enough for video calls but limited for large file uploads. Latency on FTTP is typically 5–20ms to a UK server, appropriate for gaming and remote work. The provided router is a basic model and may struggle to distribute signal effectively in larger properties without additional Wi-Fi extenders. Customers should note that NOW's speed range tops out at 300Mbps — if you anticipate needing gigabit speeds in the future, you would need to switch providers within your contract term, potentially incurring exit fees.

Customer Service and Satisfaction

Customer service is NOW Broadband's most significant weakness. Ofcom's 2024 data showed approximately 65 complaints per 100,000 customers — the highest of any provider tracked in that period, compared with an industry average of around 12. More recent Ofcom Q3 2025 data suggests improvement, but NOW remains at the higher end for complaints among major ISPs. Billing errors, difficulties reaching technical support, and slow fault resolution are the most frequently cited issues in independent reviews. TalkTalk and NOW are both rated at 77% or lower in Ofcom satisfaction surveys, placing them among the weakest performers. For budget-conscious customers who can tolerate a less responsive support experience, NOW's low monthly price may still make it worthwhile — but the customer service risk is higher than most alternatives.

Verdict: Who Is NOW Broadband Best For?

NOW Broadband is best suited to price-driven households that are comfortable managing issues through online self-service rather than expecting responsive phone support. At £23/month for Full Fibre 75, it undercuts most major ISPs. The social tariff makes it one of the more accessible options for Universal Credit recipients. However, for families or remote workers who rely on broadband for daily productivity, NOW's combination of a capped 300Mbps maximum speed, a basic router, and a historically high complaint rate makes it a higher-risk choice. If you want budget Full Fibre with better support, Plusnet at comparable prices and a complaint rate of just 4 per 100,000 is the stronger option. NOW makes sense mainly when price is the absolute priority and expectations for customer service are low.

Compare Broadband Deals at Your Address

NOW Broadband is available to around 51% of UK premises. Check whether cheaper or higher-rated providers serve your address using CompareFibre — you may find a local altnet or Plusnet offering better value without the service quality risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NOW Broadband the same as Sky?

NOW Broadband is owned by Sky and uses the same Openreach Full Fibre infrastructure, so physical network performance is identical. The key differences are in service level: NOW offers a lower price, a basic router, and historically weaker customer support compared with Sky's main brand. Sky customers also gain access to Sky TV bundling and the higher-spec Sky Hub router.

Does NOW Broadband offer gigabit speeds?

No. As of April 2026, NOW Broadband's fastest residential plan is Full Fibre 300, offering an average of 300Mbps download. If you need gigabit broadband (900Mbps+), you would need to look at Sky, BT, EE, or a local Full Fibre altnet.

Does NOW offer a social tariff?

Yes. NOW Broadband offers a discounted social tariff for customers in receipt of qualifying benefits, including Universal Credit. The tariff provides broadband access at a reduced monthly rate. Eligibility must be verified, and the tariff is not combined with NOW TV passes.

Related Guides

Sky Broadband Review 2026 · Plusnet Broadband Review 2026 · Best Cheap Broadband Deals 2026 · Social Tariff Broadband Deals · NOW Fibre Broadband Deals

Methodology

This guide is based on publicly available data from Ofcom, provider websites, and independent sources including ISPreview.co.uk, Thinkbroadband, and Point Topic. Pricing, speeds, and availability were verified in April 2026 and are subject to change. CompareFibre is editorially independent — providers do not pay for placement or influence our recommendations.