The Smarter Way to Compare Broadband Deals

You likely can get fibre broadband in some form, since part fibre is available nationwide, and full fibre now covers about three quarters of UK homes.

To see what fibre broadband options you have at your home, enter your postcode on our fibre broadband page. We’ll show you which providers and packages are available in your area. Then, you can compare unlimited broadband speeds and prices to find a good deal for your household.

Essentially, broadband allows you to connect to the internet, carrying information at high speed to your web enabled devices. These include smart TVs, smartphones and desktop computers.

Broadband replaced dial up connection, providing a faster alternative. It’s supplied to your home via an ISP (internet service provider). 

There are several types of broadband; the one you can get will depend on where you live.

The common types are:

Satellite broadband:

Generally used in the very few areas where the other options aren’t available 

ADSL broadband:

This works over the same line as your landline, and it has the slowest average download speeds (around 11-12Mbps) and is likely to be retired on the 31st of January 2027, as Openreach makes the switch to a fibre network. However, if you live in rural or remote areas, this could still be your best option (at least for now). 

Mobile broadband:

This method doesn’t need a landline, but speeds vary depending on the signal strength where you live. Typically, you’ll connect to this with a USB dongle, a wireless MiFi device or a data SIM, creating yourself a mini broadband hotspot.

Cable broadband: 

This method uses the same wiring as a cable TV package, and currently offers the fastest average download speeds in the UK. Its main provider is Virgin Media.

Fibre broadband: 

This method offers a more stable performance at peak times, and is the most popular choice for internet users. This is the perfect choice for those who like online gaming, listening to music or watching videos. The download speeds you get with this type can vary depending on your deal and the type of connection, as well as what you can get in your area. Depending on where you live, you may get:

• Superfast fibre broadband (minimum 30Mbps)
• Ultrafast fibre broadband (minimum 300Mbps)
• Gigabit capable full fiber broadband (up to 1,000Mbps)

You likely won’t need to cancel your old contract when you switch to a new provider.

As of September 2024, all customers can now complete their switch by simply contacting their new provider. This is thanks to One Touch Switch, a new switching process implemented by Ofcom that providers must adhere to.

Previously, if you switched to a provider on a different broadband network (such as BT to Virgin Media), you would need to cancel your old contract too, but this is no longer the case. You should now be able to switch to any other broadband network without contacting your old provider, which makes it simpler for everyone.

You can choose from a range of contract lengths, depending on what is best for your needs. You can choose from as short as 30-day rolling options to 24-month terms.

If you need student broadband or you’re renting, shorter contracts might be easier to align with the end of your tenancy period. But if you own your home, you could get away with a longer contract if you’re unlikely to move properties anytime soon.

It’s worth noting that shorter contracts usually come with higher monthly prices. So, if your priority is keeping your monthly bills down, and you don’t plan on moving home in the shor term, a longer contract might suit you better. However, it also means you’ll be tied to the same price for longer. And this might make it harder to regularly switch to better deals.

Unless you’re with one of a small number of fixed price broadband providers, you’ll likely have to handle at least one price increase during your contract.

2025 saw inflation linked broadband price rises of up to 7.5%, with most providers attaching their price rises to the CPI inflation rate at the start of 2024.

However, under a new Ofcom ruling, many customers who signed up for a contract at some point in 2024 could now be on a fixed rate price increase instead. So, if you recently signed up for a new deal, your monthly bill will likely increase by a fixed amount rather than an unpredictable inflation figure.

Most big brands, such as BT, Virgin Media, Plusnet, TalkTalk and Vodafone, include yearly price rises in their contract terms, so you can’t cancel your contract with them early for free.

Others, like Sky and NOW Broadband, usually increase their prices, too, but they currently let you cancel your contract early without paying any exit fees (provided you do so within 30 days of being notified).

Some providers (YouFibre, Trooli, Brsk, BeFibre and more) don’t have any price increases during the initial contract period.

Find out which providers do and don’t increase your prices mi contract.

The right time to switch broadband providers is when your current contract comes to an end. That way, you can move straight onto a brand new tariff without paying early exit fees, but before your current provider moves you onto a more expensive out of contract monthly price.

If you’re already out of contract and paying higher fees, you can switch without charge at any point. You just have to give your current provider 30 days’ notice.

Learn more with our guide on the best time to switch broadband.

In a lot of cases, you’ll experience little to no service interruption when switching providers. However, if you’re switching to a provider that runs on a different network, activation may take longer. Your new provider should let you know if you’re likely to lose your connection on the day it’s set up. However, it shouldn’t last for longer than an hour. If it’s anything longer than one working day, you’re entitled to compensation.

If you can’t remember when you last signed up, you should be able to find your contract end date in your online account on your provider’s website. Your provider also has to send an ‘end of contract’ message when your end date is approaching, so if you’ve already received that you may already be out of contract.

If you signed up for a Uswitch account when you got your last broadband deal, we’ll also send you a reminder when your contract ends.

If it has already ended, you should look to switch or renew it immediately to avoid paying expensive out of contract prices.

An end of contract notification is an email, text, or letter your broadband provider must send you before your contract ends.

Providers used to just increase your monthly price once you fall out of contract without even telling you. But since end of contract notifications were rolled out, they now have to tell you when your contract is ending, plus what other deals you could move onto for a better price.

You probably can get satellite broadband, but it’s currently quite expensive.

Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX, is now available everywhere in the UK. However, prices are high right now because it’s a relatively new service that costs a lot of money to run.

Other satellite broadband companies, such as the UK’s OneWeb and Amazon’s Kuiper project, are improving their internet coverage. But Starlink is the only modern satellite provider currently available to regular customers.

Yes, you can get full fibre, mobile, satellite and cable broadband without paying for line rental if you don’t use a home phone.

This depends on your provider if you get in touch with them, you will be able to find out. A second line could be helpful if you’re someone who works or studies from home, and want a dedicated line to use while the rest of your house is busy streaming or gaming.

Price is definitely something to consider, but the answer depends on your broadband needs. Is compromising on price going to give you the speed you need, or is it worth paying a few pounds extra for a faster connection? Contract lengths are also a factor worth considering, as longer contracts may be cheaper, but it depends whether you want to be tied in for that long.

If you find that the speeds you’re experiencing don’t quite match up with what your provider guaranteed you when you signed up, let them know. Normally, if it’s a fault with their network, they have 30 days to fix it. If they don’t, you then have the right to leave your contract without paying a penalty.

No clue where to start? Roo does.

Run a quick comparison and Roo will help you pick the perfect fit, faster than you can press play on your favourite show.

With Roo, it’s easy to compare broadband tariffs side by side, based on what really matters: price, contract length, flexibility, and more. No pressure, no jargon, just real results, ready when you are.