Fibre Broadband

Compare fibre broadband packages from the UK's leading providers

Fibre broadband is now the standard for most UK homes. Full fibre connections reach 82% of UK homes as of early 2026, and the rollout is still going. If you haven't checked what's available at your address recently, there's a good chance faster options have arrived since you last looked.

This page covers fibre broadband deals from across the market, what the different types of fibre actually mean in practice, and how to find the right package for your household.

What Is Fibre Broadband?

Fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables to carry your internet connection. Unlike the old copper wire network that traditional broadband ran on, fibre optic cables transmit data as pulses of light, which means much less signal loss over distance and significantly faster, more consistent speeds.

There are two main types of fibre broadband available in the UK, and the difference between them matters more than most people realise.

Full Fibre (FTTP)

Full fibre, also called FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), runs fibre optic cable all the way from the exchange directly to your home. There's no copper involved at any point. This gives you the fastest and most reliable connection available on a fixed line, with speeds typically starting at 100Mbps and going up to 1Gbps or more on some packages.

Because the connection doesn't rely on copper wire for any part of the journey, full fibre delivers much more consistent speeds throughout the day, including during busy evening hours when lots of people in your area are online at the same time.

Full fibre is now available to the majority of UK homes and the number keeps growing. If it's reached your street, it's almost always worth taking over an older connection — the price difference is often smaller than people expect.

Part Fibre (FTTC)

Part fibre, also called FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), runs fibre optic cable from the telephone exchange to the green street cabinet near your home. From the cabinet to your front door, the connection still travels over the old copper phone line.

This is sometimes marketed as "superfast" broadband and delivers average speeds of around 35 to 65Mbps, depending on how far your home is from the cabinet. The further away you are, the slower the connection tends to be. Part fibre has been the most common type of broadband in the UK for the past decade, though full fibre is gradually replacing it.

If you're currently on a part fibre package and full fibre has since become available at your address, switching is straightforward and usually means better speeds for a similar or lower price.

Virgin Media

Virgin Media runs on its own cable network rather than Openreach's infrastructure. It uses a technology called HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial), which delivers fibre to local cabinets and then connects to your home via coaxial cable. Speeds are comparable to full fibre in most cases, and Virgin's packages start fast and go very fast. The drawback is availability — Virgin's network only covers certain parts of the UK, so it's not an option for everyone.

What Speeds Do You Actually Need?

The right speed depends on how many people are in your household and what you all do online at the same time. Here's a practical guide.

One or two people, general use — streaming, browsing, working from home on video calls. An entry-level full fibre package at around 100 to 150Mbps will handle this comfortably and tends to be among the more affordable options on the market.

Two to four people, busy household — multiple devices streaming, gaming, video calls happening simultaneously. Aim for at least 150 to 300Mbps. This is where you'll really notice the difference between a stable full fibre connection and an older part fibre one during peak hours.

Four or more people, heavy use — lots of 4K streaming, gaming, large file downloads, smart home devices. A 500Mbps or gigabit package removes any chance of congestion and future-proofs you for a few years. These packages are now competitively priced and widely available on full fibre networks.

One thing worth knowing: your broadband speed is shared across every device connected to your router, not just the ones you're actively using. Phones, tablets, smart TVs, games consoles and smart speakers all use a slice of your connection even when they're sitting idle.

Who Offers Fibre Broadband?

Most major UK broadband providers now offer full fibre packages where it's available, alongside part fibre on the Openreach network where full fibre hasn't yet reached.

BT offers full fibre across a large and growing portion of the UK through its own Openreach network, and its packages include a good router and the option to add TV and phone services. BT tends to be at the higher end of the market on price but regularly runs new customer promotions.

Sky uses the Openreach network for its full fibre rollout and offers packages from entry-level speeds up to 900Mbps. Sky's broadband is well regarded for reliability, and existing Sky TV customers can often bundle deals together for a better overall price.

EE offers full fibre on the Openreach network and is particularly competitive for existing EE mobile customers, who can qualify for a discount on their broadband. EE's higher-tier packages include extras like Apple TV and security features.

Vodafone offers full fibre packages with competitive pricing for new customers, and its Pro package includes a 4G backup connection that keeps you online if your main broadband goes down — useful for households where a reliable connection is essential.

Virgin Media offers its own cable-based network with consistently fast speeds and a strong range of packages. Where it's available, Virgin is often the fastest option on the market for the price.

NOW (from Sky) offers no-frills full fibre packages at competitive prices, including rolling monthly options for those who don't want to commit to a long contract. Good value for households that just want fast broadband without extras.

CityFibre and other alternative networks — in many towns and cities, providers including Vodafone, Zen and others now offer gigabit full fibre through the CityFibre network rather than Openreach. These are worth comparing if they're available in your area, as pricing and speeds can be very competitive.

What to Look For When Comparing Fibre Deals

Check the type of fibre first. Full fibre and part fibre are both sold as "fibre broadband" by most providers. The difference matters, so it's worth checking which type you're being offered. If full fibre is available at your address, prioritise it over part fibre even if the monthly price is slightly higher.

Average speed versus guaranteed speed. Providers are required to advertise the average speed that at least 50% of their customers receive during peak hours (8pm to 10pm). The actual speed at your address can be higher or lower depending on your distance from the cabinet (for part fibre) or your specific connection (for full fibre). If speed is critical, look for providers that offer a speed guarantee and the right to exit your contract if speeds fall below a promised minimum.

Contract length. Most fibre deals run for 18 or 24 months. New customer deals are almost always cheaper than what existing customers pay, so the best strategy is to compare and switch when your contract ends rather than letting it roll over onto a higher out-of-contract price. Providers are required to notify you when your contract is coming to an end.

Setup fees and equipment. Some providers charge an activation fee, a router delivery fee, or both. These can add up to around £30 on top of the monthly price. Factor these into your comparison rather than looking at the monthly cost in isolation.

Price after the introductory period. Many deals advertise a low price for the first 12 months that then increases. Always check the full contract price, not just the headline offer.

Frequently asked questions

Is full fibre available at my address?

Use our comparison tool above with your postcode to see which providers offer full fibre at your address. Full fibre currently reaches 82% of UK homes, so there's a good chance it's available — but the only way to confirm is to check by postcode, as availability varies street by street.

What is the difference between full fibre and superfast broadband?

Superfast broadband is usually part fibre (FTTC), which uses fibre to the street cabinet and then copper wire to your home. Full fibre (FTTP) uses fibre optic cable all the way to your property. Full fibre is faster, more consistent, and not affected by the distance from a cabinet. Superfast broadband is still widely available and suitable for many households, but full fibre is the better option where it's available.

Do I need an engineer visit to get full fibre?

In most cases yes, at least for the initial installation. An Openreach engineer will connect the fibre cable to your home, usually taking a couple of hours. Most providers include this as part of the deal for new customers, though some charge a setup fee. After installation, switching between providers on the same full fibre network doesn't usually require another visit.

Can I get gigabit broadband?

89% of UK homes can now access a gigabit-capable network, which delivers speeds of 1,000Mbps or more. Most major providers offer gigabit packages on their full fibre networks. Whether you need gigabit speeds depends on your household — for most homes, a 150 to 300Mbps full fibre package is more than sufficient, but gigabit is increasingly affordable if you want future-proofing.

Will I need a new router?

Your provider will almost always send a new router as part of your fibre installation. If you're switching between providers on the same full fibre network, you may need to replace your existing router with the new provider's equipment. Most providers include this in the package, though some charge for delivery.