When you are ready to upgrade your internet, fibre broadband seems like the best option. The service is becoming more affordable, similar to the cost of ADSL.
You are also not limited to providers, multiple companies are offering fibre broadband deals to consumers. With more people working from home, the deals keep improving.
So, which internet provider is offering the best fibre broadband deals? It depends on what you want the package to include, and the price you are willing to pay.
Best Fibre Broadband Deals
Here’s a look at seven internet providers who are offering the best fibre broadband deals.
Virgin Media M350
Virgin Media is currently offering the fastest broadband to consumers through the company’s private fibre network. Consumers with Openreach and others will notice the difference in speed when they switch providers.
Switching from one provider to Virgin Media isn’t easy. The companies do not like losing business, but it is faster if you take care of the cancelation rather than letting Virgin tackle the task.
You can expect to pay around £35 for the setup fee. You are also required to sign a 12-month contract, which is short compared to other providers. If you don’t want to get locked into a year-long contract, Virgin Media offers monthly plans for a higher rate.
If you only want broadband, without a phone line, you can save £6 per month. It equals a savings of £72 per year. Other plans offer calls to international numbers. It adds around £7 a month to your bill. You can reduce the rate by selecting only the country you most frequently call.
The M350 bundle also covers HD TVs for £51 per month, after the £35 setup fee.
Going with a slower speed will also reduce the cost but be careful it doesn’t interfere with productivity. Dropping from 362Mbps to 213 Mbps isn’t that drastic for most broadband users but be careful if you choose the company’s less expensive M100 plan. Speeds are 108Mbps, and this may cause frustration when pages take a while to download.
The Virgin Media fibre broadband deal also includes unlimited free calls to landlines in the UK, and to Virgin mobile devices on the weekend. Virgin also throws in their Hub 3 router. You can’t take advantage of their fast broadband speeds without the free device.
Pros
Fast broadband speeds
Multiple broadband deals
Short contract (12-months)
Free Hub 3
Free calls
Cons
Virgin Media uses a private network which can limit compatibility with other devices.
BT Superfast Fibre 2
Consumers that want to stay on Openreach but don’t want to pay the price will want to look at BT. You have three plans to choose from with varying speeds and prices.
Superfast Fibre Essential: 36Mbps with unlimited usage and no phone line for £24.99 per month
Superfast Fibre: 50Mbps with unlimited usage and no phone line for £26.99 per month.
Superfast Fibre 2: 67Mbps with unlimited usage and no phone line for £24.99 per month.
BT Full Fibre: 900Mbps with unlimited usage and no phone line for £35.99 per month.
Higher broadband speeds mean you pay more, but you may pay a lower activation fee. It’s based on your monthly subscription. All subscriptions are for 24-months. They do not offer flexible plans.
BT offers additional deals to new customers that can include a rewards card. It works the same as a gift card and is valid wherever Mastercard is accepted. Other deals can include a refund on your activation costs.
The broadband isn’t as fast as some of the other providers, but it’s affordable and usually comes with bonuses.
Pros
Good broadband speeds for the price
Comes with freebies
Low activation fee
Easy to switch since it’s on Openreach
Cons
New customers are required to sign a two-year contract.
Hyperoptic Fibre
Hyperoptic Fibre is a new provider specialising in fast broadband. They connect a fast cable to your home, ensuring you have access to some of the fastest fibre broadband offered to UK customers.
The broadband provider offers four plans, with prices going up to match the speed. You can choose from a 50Mbps plan or a 150Mbps if you want to keep costs low. Consumers that are willing to pay more can go for 500Mbps or the lighting-fast 1000Mbps plan.
Coverage with Hyperoptic Fibre is limited, but you can cheque their homepage to see if they are in your postcode.
Along with four broadband speeds to choose from, Hyperoptic also provides customers with a free router and phone support. Other advantages to their plans include the symmetric speed. Your download speed matches your upload speed, and contracts are only for one year.
Their plans include
50Mbps: for £15 per month for the first two years before going up to £25. You will also need to pay a £29 activation fee.
150Mbps: for £20 during the first 24-months before going up to £35. A one-time activation fee also applies.
500Mbps: for £30 per month for the first two years before going up to £50. The activation fee is waived for new customers.
1Gb: for £35 for the first two years before going up to £60. Installation and activation are free, and it also includes the use of a router.
Pros
Fast broadband speeds
Free router
Uninterrupted service
24/7 phone support
Cons
The service is not available throughout the UK, it is limited to specific postcodes.
Plusnet Unlimited Fibre Extra
Plusnet’s plans are similar to the ones BT is offering. You get similar speeds and don’t have to switch off of Openreach. You have two plans to choose from, each with a specific use in mind.
Unlimited Fibre Extra: is perfect for households with multiple devices. Line rental is included, and you can skip the activation fee. It comes with an 18-month contract, and you pay £24.99 per month for a 66Mbps download speed.
Unlimited Fibre: is ideal for multitasking on multiple devices. You do not need to pay an activation fee, and line rental is included in the £22.99 a month fee. The contract is for 18 months, and you get a download speed of 36Mbps.
The plans also come with a Plusnet Reward card for new customers. The rewards card is valid anywhere you use Mastercard.
Where Plusnet comes out ahead is with its contracts. You can choose from the cheaper 18-month plan or go with the higher priced 12-month contract. You also get excellent customer service and a consistent connection.
The only downside to Plusnet is the broadband speeds. They are noticeably slower than other providers, but you still get a fibre connection.
Pros
Flexible contracts
Low prices
Do not need to switch from Openreach
Excellent customer service
Cons
The broadband speeds are slower than some of their competitors.
EE Fibre Plus Broadband
Ofcom rates EE at the top for its customer service, but you will pay a little more for the high level of support. If super-fast and consistent broadband speeds are key, it is worth paying the price.
You can find out how fast your fibre speeds are on the company’s website. Enter your postcode and the site will show you the average speeds in your area. It’s a helpful tool to have when you are trying to decide which plan to choose.
EE is currently offering six plans, making it easy to find the perfect one for your flat. Prices and speeds vary, and some come with free activation.
Standard: You get 10MBps for £22.50 per month, along with a free setup. It comes with a 24-month contract, but you also get 5GB of mobile data each month. It’s ideal for basic streaming and internet browsing.
Fibre: With 36Mbps, the £27 a month plan is great for families that are always online. It comes with a free setup, a 24-month contract, and 5GB of mobile data every 30 days.
Fibre Plus: is great for HD streaming and gaming across multiple devices. The monthly cost is £31, with free setup, 5GB of mobile data, and a 24-month contract.
Fibre Max 100: Gives your 145Mbps for £39 per month, along with a £25 and 24-month contract. You also get 20GB of free mobile data every billing cycle. The plan is ideal for homes that use 4K and HD devices.
Fibre Max 300: You have the speed you need for gaming on 4K devices for £47 per month, along with a £25 setup fee. It comes with a 24-month contract and 20GB of mobile data every billing cycle.
Full Fibre Max 900: The fastest plan offered by EE gives you 900MBps for £60 a month, along with a £25 setup fee. It comes with a 24-month contract and 20GB of mobile data every 30 days.
If you decide on the Fibre Plus plan, it offers the fastest speeds, you can skip the setup fees. You do have to sign an 18-month contract, but it’s worth it for some people.
Pros
You can stay on Openreach
Best customer service rating
No setup fees with some plans
You can cheque minimum speeds by postcodes
Cons
Slightly more expensive than other fibre providers
Little to no contract flexibility
John Lewis Fibre Extra
John Lewis offers three plans at reasonable prices. They are one of the cheaper fibre broadband providers in the UK. They are also on Openreach, so you don’t have to worry about switching. It makes signing up a little easier.
The contracts are shorter, around 12 months which is great for anyone that doesn’t want to get stuck with a provider for years. There is a downside. Once your contract expires, prices increase significantly.
Unlimited: Covers broadband and phone for £19 per month. Line rental is included with the cost, and you get an evening and weekend calling plan. Usage is unlimited, but speeds are around 10Mbps.
Fibre: Offers the same perks as the unlimited plan when it comes to usage and calling landlines. For £24 a month, you get 36MB download speeds along with a £45 e-gift card. You can use the card wherever Mastercard is accepted.
Fibre Extra: Gives you free line rental, unlimited usage, and free evening and weekend calls. For £27 a month, you get download speeds of around 66MBps. The plan also includes a £70 e-gift card to use wherever Mastercard is accepted.
It can take 60 days for your e-gift card to arrive in your inbox. The delay is annoying, but it does ensure customers stay with the yearlong plan.
Pros
Affordable price
Short, one-year contract
On Openreach, so you don’t need to switch
Multiple deals to choose from
Cons
The prices for the plans increase significantly when your contract expires.
Post Office Fibre Plus
Post Office or Shell Energy Broadband, depending on which name you like to use, is a combination of other fibre broadband providers.
They offer affordable pricing and short 12-month contracts. You also don’t have to worry about paying for installation or setup. There aren’t any upfront fees.
Post Office also lets you cheque broadband speeds in your postcode, so you have a better idea of which of the two plans to choose.
One thing you do want to watch is the contract end date. Once the contract expires, you will be paying significantly higher fees.
Ultrafast Fibre Plus: For £46.99 per month you get average download speeds of around 290MBps.
Ultrafast Fibre: When you pay £41.99, download speeds are around 140MBps.
Both of their Ultrafast Fibre Plans come with plenty of benefits that include.
Unlimited upload and download usage
A UK-based customer service team
Wi-Fi router and line rental are included at no charge. Some customers may need to cover the P&P charge.
Activation is free
Professional installation from an Openreach engineer
Perks at Shell Service Stations that include discounted fuel and personalised rewards.
Pros
Low prices
Short, 12-month contract
Free setup and installation, along with no charge for line rental
Do not need to switch from Openreach
Cons
The low prices are only good for the first year, before being raised to rates similar to other fibre broadband providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you switch to fibre broadband, you may have some questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones.
What is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is similar to traditional broadband, only with faster upload and download speeds. Instead of using copper cables, it uses fibre optic lines. Data is transferred faster, meaning you can do more online in less time.
Do I need fibre broadband?
You don’t need fibre broadband if you only browse the web. However, if you want to game, stream content, or multitask on multiple devices, you need a broadband speed that can keep up. Homes with HD and 4K devices will benefit from the faster speeds.
What’s the difference between standard broadband and fibre?
It’s easy to confuse standard broadband and fibre. Both share infrastructure to transmit data, but it’s where the similarities end. Whether you are referring to ADSL, FTTC, or FTTP, it can be either standard or fibre broadband, the difference is in the type of cables used. Only fibre broadband uses the faster fibre optic cables.
Can I get fibre broadband in my area?
Only your internet provider can answer this question, along with any company you are considering switching to. Some fibre broadband providers like Hyperoptic, EE, and Post Office let you cheque your postcode on their websites.
Not only can you see if their services are available in your area, but also the average upload and download speeds. You’ll know before you sign a contract if the speed is fast enough for your needs.
What are the Cheapest Broadband Deals?
The cheapest fibre broadband deals often depend on the speed. Providers with multiple plans, often discount the ones with faster speeds. They can also include extras to help offset the monthly subscriptions costs by including free routers, line rental, and even e-gift cards.
If speed is a concern, only price, look at Plusnet, EE, and John Lewis. You get acceptable fibre broadband speeds at a minimal cost. You do want to watch for the contract’s ending date. Most budget-friendly providers raise the price when the contract ends.
If you still want to stay in the low range, you may have to switch fibre broadband providers every year or so.
What are the Fastest Broadband Deals?
When you want the fastest fibre broadband deals, there are three providers to look at. The pricing is similar for each one, but you want to consider the differences.
Virgin Media M350 is a high-speed fibre broadband connection, but they are not on Openreach. You will have to switch, and it can be a hassle. Hyperoptic Fibre is another option when you want the fastest broadband deals, along with EE’s Full Fibre Max 900 plan.
Installation and line rental are often included with the deal, along with routers. Some even offer additional incentives for signing up like e-gift cards redeemable wherever Mastercard is accepted.
Can I get fibre without phone line rental?
Virgin Media allows you to use their fibre broadband without renting a phone line. The company brings the fibre optic cable to your home. Most of the other fibre broadband providers do require a phone line. Some even include it in the package you choose.
If you don’t want to use a phone line, your other option is using mobile broadband. It is an effective solution, but it can come with risks. Your connection may not be secure, and it can also be prone to service interruptions.
Your best option is to choose a fibre broadband provider that includes the phone line rental with your monthly subscription.