UK Broadband Speeds Explained

In this article, I will explain the different terminologies used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), when it comes to speed, delivery method, and validity of their claims. UK’s broadband market is very competitive, but only up to a certain speed. This means that there’s a lot you can save by shopping around if you’re looking for an average speed internet, but if you want the fastest and most reliable connection, often you will only have one choice.

There’s some light in the tunnel that this is about to change, however. With more and more companies starting to offer limited area fibre internet trials and even more companies using BT’s fibre infrastructure to deliver faster internet.

But, as with everything IT related, it’s a lot more nuanced than that. I will try to shed some light on the options available for UK households, and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have if you leave a comment.

For anyone needing advice to their specific needs, you can contact me via the form to schedule a visit where we will explore the options available for you, and I will help you to make the best and informed decision.

Types of broadband infrastructure

If you live in an urban area, the three most common choices you will have will be Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Cable Network. If you live in a rural area, you’re most likely stuck to an old DSL/VDSL connection. Let’s have a look at a THEORETICAL speed you can get out of these connections as offered by UK ISPs (as of September 2020).

DSL/VDSL – 8Mbps/24Mbps

FTTC – 76Mbps

FTTP – 1Gbps

Cable – 512Mbps

While only the first option looks like a really slow connection, only the latter two (FTTP and Cable) usually offer a fixed speed, rather than “up to” or “average” speed. Let’s go over these technologies now and very simply explain the differences in technologies used. But before we do that, let’s introduce the concept of an exchange. It’s usually a metal box at the end of your street, or somewhere within your residential area, that serves as the main point by which your area is connected to the ISP’s backbone network. All of the traffic from your home, and your neighbours, or your village, before it reaches the ‘internet’, has to go through the exchange. From there it also travels higher up to the ISP’s network centres.

TBC