Best broadband in my area

How to check broadband in your area

Dan Howdle | September 10th, 2024

Before choosing a new broadband deal, the very first thing you need to consider is what's available where you live. It may be that you'd really like to get a super-fast gigabit full-fibre deal but, ultimately, you're going to be limited by the broadband network technologies available in your postcode.

Enter your postcode in the box at the top of this page and we'll show you what you can get. It's that simple. For those curious about the details, we’ll get into which technologies exist, how they differ, and how likely you are to get each of them in our guide below.

How to use our broadband postcode checker

You're in the right place to find out which broadband deals are available in your postcode. Compare like a pro in five easy steps:

• Step 1: Enter your postcode at the top of the page. Our checker will find exactly what's available where you live
• Step 2: The list presented will initially be sorted by 'Best match' – that is, we've prioritised deals and providers which closest match your requirements, and which deals are currently the most popular. The closer a deal is to the top of the page when it's sorted this way, the stronger our recommendation
• Step 3: You can and should re-sort the list using the dropdown menu above the top-listed package. If you have a budget or a speed in mind, this can be a useful way to see how all providers compare on a sliding scale
• Step 5: Once you've narrowed things down to one or two deals, you can hit the 'more info' button to see more stats about the package or packages

Of course, not everyone comes into their search knowing what speed they need. Don't worry! We have a tool that'll help you find out. Just hit 'Get started' below:

Types of broadband

The speeds available to your home depend on the types of broadband technology running through your street. Let's take a look at the types of broadband that are widely available in the UK so you can better understand why you get certain speeds in your area.

Common types of fixed-line broadband technology

Where you live will determine which of the two widely available broadband networks (Openreach and Virgin Media) you’re able to get, and which technologies are available on those networks. These networks are the physical web of cables, cabinets and exchanges that bring the technology to our homes.

Here's a look at the four types of broadband technology:

Don’t worry if any of that terminology is confusing. All you really need to understand is:

• The types of cables running past your home determine the technology available to you
• The technology available to you determines the speed you can get

How do broadband speeds vary in different areas?

Broadband speeds can vary significantly depending on several factors, including connection type, your distance from the nearest green cabinet, and whether you live in a rural or built-up area. Here’s a breakdown of the elements affecting your broadband speed:

Type of broadband connection

The type of broadband connection you have plays a significant role in the speeds you can achieve. For example, Full Fibre (FTTP) offers the fastest speeds, reaching up to 1.6Gbps (or even faster with some small altnets), while ADSL provides the slowest at around 10-17Mbps. Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC), which combines fibre-optic and copper cables, delivers speeds up to around 74Mbps in a best-case scenario, but this decreases depending on your distance from the nearest green cabinet on the street. Cable broadband, mind, is its own thing – exclusively available through Virgin Media and reaching speeds of up to 1.13Gbps (or 2Gbps to a handful of UK homes).

Here's a look at the key broadband types available in the UK, including their download/upload speeds and national availability (%) as of September 2024:

*Only offered to customers who cannot get anything else

The broadband options available in your area will depend on your location. Large towns and cities typically have more access to Full Fibre or Virgin Media’s cable network, both of which can offer ‘gigabit’ speeds, while rural areas may only have slow ADSL or limited fibre availability. Full Fibre is currently available to around 62% of UK homes, though this figure is growing steadily.

Distance from the cabinet

If you’re using ADSL or FTTC Fibre, your distance from the nearest green street cabinet or exchange will impact the speed you can get. This is why rural and remote homes often come with disastrously slow broadband: Speeds typically start to decline beyond 300m from the cabinet. At around 500m, the download speed drops to a maximum of about 60Mbps, at 1km speeds may reduce to around 28Mbps, and at 1.5km, speeds fall to under 15Mbps.

Wi-Fi limitations, obstructions and interference

You can go out and get that 1Gbps broadband deal if you want, but if you're expecting your Wi-Fi devices to be able to use that speed we have some bad news for you: Even bleeding edge Wi-Fi 6 routers, coupled with mid-range devices often won't deliver a signal much over 600-700Mbps to any one device, and that's if your device is right next to the router. If there are walls and electronics and other routers present from neighbouring homes, obstruction and interference can and will slow your Wi-Fi further.

The only way to get your full speed from the fastest connections is to connect via a LAN cable, and if you want strong, fast Wi-Fi in every room of your house, we recommend taking out a whole-home Wi-Fi add-on like Complete Wi-Fi from BT, Sky Wi-Fi Max or Virgin Wi-Fi Max. These bolt-ons add repeaters to your home router layout as required, thereby extending the range and strength of your Wi-Fi.

Real-world vs advertised speeds

The speeds advertised by providers are the speeds received by at least 50% of their customers at that package level. But the real-world performance may differ depending on all of the above factors. Bear that in mind when choosing a broadband deal and remember that it's always safer to go for the next package up from the speed you feel suits your household.

Internet providers in your area

There are three types of providers:

• Those on the Openreach network, which mostly offer similar speeds
• Virgin Media, which is the only provider that’s widely available using its own discrete network
• Altnets, which are local providers running their own network

Most providers are on the Openreach network. Here’s a brief overview:

Do any internet providers offer coverage across the UK?

No single broadband provider covers the entire UK, but several providers offer services to the vast majority of the population. Here’s an overview of the major networks and their coverage:

Openreach

Openreach operates the largest broadband network in the UK, providing access to a wide range of broadband providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Plusnet. Openreach covers almost all UK homes via ADSL and 96 % via fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connections. Full Fibre (FTTP) availability, however, is more limited and currently reaches around 62% of UK homes, as rollout continues.

The Virgin Media network (cable broadband)

Virgin Media offers coverage to approximately 60% of UK homes. It delivers some of the fastest broadband speeds available via its cable network. Its Gig1 service provides on average 1.13Gbps to its entire existing network, while the Gig2 package is currently available, but only to a handful of UK homes. Virgin Media’s coverage tends to be focused on urban and suburban areas, with far less availability out in the sticks.

Alternative networks (altnets)

Altnets like Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, and Gigaclear are expanding their reach but are still limited to specific areas. These providers often focus on urban centres, blocks of flats, or underserved rural locations. While their national coverage is smaller, they play a critical role in providing ultrafast broadband in select locations where larger providers may be a very long time coming to.

Your chances of getting a particular altnet where you live aren't good. However, with so many of them up and down the country, your chances of getting an altnet aren't vanishingly small either. Altnets tend to provide very fast broadband more cheaply than national providers. Here are a selection of the altnets you can compare on Cable.co.uk, along with the areas you'll typically find them:

Local broadband providers (altnets)

Most UK homes will only see the main providers pop up in their search results after entering their postcode – Sky, Virgin Media, and so on – but some may also find a local provider or two is available. Local providers are usually what's known as an 'altnet', or 'alternative network'. They operate on their own network (not Openreach or Virgin Media) and serve clusters of homes and businesses in specific towns, cities and villages. Some, such as Gigaclear, even specialise in bringing ultrafast broadband to very, very rural locations.

If you see an altnet listed when you enter your postcode, do consider signing up to it. Most of them are very good indeed, providing extremely fast broadband via truly excellent equipment. They also tend to offer exceptional value for money.

Here are some things most, but not quite all, altnets have in common:

• Full Fibre – Altnet networks are almost universally full fibre, meaning they can and do offer extremely fast broadband
• Extremely fast speeds – Almost all altnets offer speeds of up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps), but some even offer 2Gbps, and we know of one that offers a frankly insane 8Gbps
• Symmetrical speeds – Most altnets offer upload speeds that are the same as their download speeds across all of their packages, unlike widely available providers, where upload speeds are fractional
• Mesh router systems – All altnets we've looked into offer a stellar Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system that ensures every corner if your home is reached with fast wifi
• No mid-contract price rise guarantee – Pretty much all altnets promise not to raise the price while you're under contract

Should that have piqued your interest about altnets, we've reviewed a whole bunch of them in our reviews section.

What should I consider when choosing a broadband deal?

Choosing the right broadband deal means taking into account several factors to ensure that it meets your household's needs, while also offering good value. Here are the key aspects to consider when making your decision:

Expert tip: If you've worked out what speed you need, go for the next speed up from it. The cost difference is usually negligible, but the harmony of your household will likely increase with the extra headroom!

1. Broadband available in your area

The first step is to check what broadband providers and technology are available in your area. Full Fibre (FTTP) and Virgin Media’s cable network are known for offering the fastest speeds, but their availability isn't universal, unlike ADSL and FTTC Fibre, and that's particularly the case in rural areas. Make use of our availability checker at the top of this page to confirm what’s available at your address.

2. How fast do you need?

Your required broadband speed depends on your household’s usage. For basic browsing and streaming in HD, speeds of 30+Mbps should be enough for the whole house. If your household streams in 4K, plays a lot of videogames, or frequently downloads other sorts of large files you will need 100Mbps-plus. Full Fibre packages can offer speeds up to 1.6Gbps (or higher with some altnets), but be mindful that you may not need such high speeds, and that speeds beyond 1Gbps require special networking hardware that most households simply don't have.

3. Do you want to bundle?

Some providers offer packages that bundle broadband with TV and/or phone services. If you’re already paying for a TV service or home phone line, a bundled deal may offer better value. For example, providers like BT (EE TV), Sky (Sky TV), and Virgin Media (Virgin TV) offer attractive bundles combining broadband with TV, as well as home phone packages for those who need them. Assess whether a bundle is useful to you or whether instead you’re going to simply add unnecessarily to your monthly costs.

4. Contract length and flexibility

Broadband contracts usually last between 12 and 24 months. While shorter, rolling contracts are available from the likes of NOW Broadband and Virgin Media, they typically come at a higher monthly cost. Sadly, 24 month contracts are fast becoming the norm – restricting customer choice while typically offering no counter-benefits like fixed pricing.

5. Extras and add-ons

Consider any extras the provider might offer, such as Wi-Fi mesh systems or speed guarantees. Providers like BT and Sky offer add-ons like BT Complete Wi-Fi and Sky Wi-Fi Max, which improve Wi-Fi coverage across your home – particularly useful if you live in a large property. Other extras might include free streaming service trials, antivirus software, or public Wi-Fi access, which can add value depending on your needs.

6. Price and mid-contract price rises

Price is a key factor when choosing broadband, but be mindful of potential mid-contract price rises. Most providers increase prices annually in line with inflation plus 3.9%. However, some providers (like Vodafone Broadband and Rebel Internet) offer contracts that guarantee no mid-contract price hikes. However, from 17 January 2025, Ofcom will ban mid-contract price rises due linked to inflation.

7. Customer service and support

Good customer service is crucial. Even the best broadband service can experience issues, so it’s important to choose a provider with a solid reputation for customer support. Ofcom's annual report on the number of complaints and satisfaction with how those complaints were handled is a great resource, but sadly doesn't cover smaller providers.

Complaints to Ofcom per 100,000 customers, 2023-2024

Source: Ofcom

What our expert says...

"When choosing broadband in your area it's vital to check which providers offer the fastest speeds and best deals. Availability can vary dramatically depending on your location, so always compare what’s available using our postcode checker."

Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert

What is the best broadband in my area?

There's no simple answer to this question. The best broadband for you depends on two main factors: your budget and the speed you need for your household. Start by checking which providers and packages are available using our postcode checker at the top of this page. If you're a light internet user, a more affordable package with lower speeds may be suitable, but if your household streams, games, /and/or works from home, opting for a higher-speed Full Fibre packages or a top-end Virgin Media package will better suit your needs.

Here's a quick rundown of how some of the most notable national providers choose to differentiate themselves from the pack:

• BT – Great coverage, excellent customer service, and extra features like BT Halo for hybrid connectivity (fixed line, 4G) and Complete Wi-Fi for whole-home coverage
• EE Broadband – Great for mobile and broadband bundles, with added benefits for EE mobile customers like data boosts and discounts. EE also offers the best broadband for gamers with its gamer-focused 1.6Gbps Full Fibre offering
• NOW Broadband – Budget-friendly, no-frills broadband deals with no credit checks, easily paired with flexible NOW TV streaming passes
• Plusnet – Excellent value for money and customer service combine at Plusnet – a great service at a fair price
• Rebel Internet – Is all about transparency and fairness, offering straightforward pricing with no hidden fees
• Sky Broadband – Known for excellent TV bundles, including Sky Stream, Sky Glass, and access to Sky Cinema and Sky Sports
• TalkTalk – Affordable broadband deals focusing on simplicity and value for homes seeking reliable internet without a lot of fussy extras
• Virgin Media – Still some of the fastest widely available speeds (1.13Gbps available to 60% of UK homes), good TV offering, excellent bundles that can include an O2 SIM
• Vodafone Broadband – Competitive mobile and broadband bundle options, astonishingly good router in their Pro II packages, Full Fibre broadband available up to 1.6Gbps

What’s the cheapest broadband in my area?

The cheapest broadband you can buy is now likely to be a 35Mbps fibre service, with prices starting at around £20 per month. Although standard ADSL broadband connections tend to be cheaper than fibre packages, providers are no longer offering them in areas where fibre connections are available (almost everywhere). Standard broadband connections are also slower and can be subject to usage limits and traffic management policies.

A 35Mbps fibre connection is ideal for general browsing, as well as streaming Netflix in a smaller household. It only costs a little more than a standard broadband connection, so it’s very affordable.

Compare cheap broadband

How much does broadband cost in the UK?

Broadband pricing in the UK varies significantly based on the provider, speed, and type of connection. Packages can range from entry-level ADSL deals to top-end Full Fibre (FTTP) and cable broadband services (Virgin Media). The table below summarises the pricing and speed ranges of the providers you can compare on Cable.co.uk:

*Pricing is correct at the time of writing