A low-cost broadband provider is increasing speeds across parts of the UK, giving customers faster internet without increasing monthly prices.
The upgrade affects a number of full-fibre areas where providers are boosting download speeds as competition intensifies among cheaper broadband brands. Some of the strongest value deals currently come from providers such as Sky, Vodafone, Plusnet and TalkTalk, particularly in areas with full-fibre coverage.
Sky recently cut the price of its Full Fibre Gigafast package to £30 a month, offering speeds of up to 900Mbps in eligible areas. The deal also includes up to £200 in credit for customers switching from another provider and is available across around 60% of UK households with full-fibre access.
For households looking for cheaper mid-range fibre, providers including Sky, Vodafone and Plusnet are offering full-fibre packages between 145Mbps and 150Mbps for around £20 to £23 a month. These speeds are generally enough for streaming, gaming, home working and multiple connected devices.
The areas most likely to benefit from faster upgrades are those already covered by full-fibre networks such as Openreach, CityFibre and Virgin Media. Multi-gigabit broadband is also becoming more common in London and other major cities, with providers like Sky and Community Fibre offering speeds of up to 5Gbps in selected postcodes.
The exact speeds available still depend heavily on postcode. In some regions, households can access only basic fibre or copper broadband, while others now have access to gigabit and multi-gigabit connections. Comparison sites recommend checking availability by postcode before switching providers, as neighbouring streets can often have very different network access.
Author: George Nathan Dulnuan