Freedom Fibre

About Freedom Fibre

Freedom Fibre is a regional broadband provider delivering full fibre (FTTP) across the North West of England. They offer gigabit capable speeds with strong customer service and competitive pricing.

Switching broadband provider saves the average household around £156 a year, according to Ofcom, and most providers now handle the switch for you.

Freedom Fibre Packages and Speeds

Freedom Fibre Pros and Cons

Is Freedom Fibre Available at My Address?

Freedom Fibre operates in the North West of England. Check their postcode checker to confirm availability. If not available, check CityFibre or Openreach FTTP as alternatives.

How to Get Freedom Fibre Broadband

1. Check availability on Freedom Fibre’s website
2. Select your speed package and contract length
3. Complete online signup
4. Freedom Fibre confirms installation appointment
5. Expert installation team sets up your connection

What Is Freedom Fibre?

Freedom Fibre is a regional alternative network provider focused on the North West of England. They build full fibre FTTP infrastructure in areas where commercial providers aren’t prioritising investment. Freedom Fibre’s strategy emphasises underserved communities, bringing gigabit capable broadband where legacy technology previously dominated. Their business model mirrors other alt net, direct infrastructure build, independent operation, consumer sales without intermediaries. This independence allows competitive pricing and control over service quality.

Freedom Fibre Coverage and Availability

Freedom Fibre operates primarily in Lancashire and surrounding North West areas. Coverage is growing but remains regional. Check their coverage map on the Freedom Fibre website for current areas and expansion timelines. If not covered, timelines vary, some areas have announced dates, others show future plans with no specific timeline. Installation process is standard FTTP, fibre to external wall, internal routing to router, typical 2–4 hours.

Freedom Fibre vs BT in Covered Areas

Where Freedom Fibre is available, they typically offer faster speeds (gigabit capable vs BT FTTP’s gigabit options), more competitive pricing, and newer infrastructure. Installation is direct through Freedom Fibre rather than through BT and Openreach subcontracting. Customer reviews are positive in covered areas. Reliability is excellent. Speed consistency during peak hours is notable advantage. If BT and Freedom Fibre both available in your area, Freedom Fibre often provides superior value.

Key Factors to Consider When Comparing

Speed alone isn’t the only metric. Look at upload speeds, which matter increasingly with video conferencing and cloud storage. Check latency (ping time) if you game or use video calls extensively. Examine contract flexibility, are you locked in for 24 months or can you switch monthly? Don’t ignore customer satisfaction ratings. Independent reviews reveal service quality beyond marketing claims. Check specific reviews for your postcode to understand real world performance. Consider whether the provider includes a new router or charges separately. Installation fees vary significantly. Some offer free installations; others charge £50–150. Check if you’re eligible for any switching incentives or loyalty discounts. Calculate the total cost over the full contract period, including setup fees, rather than focusing only on monthly costs. Price comparisons can be misleading if they ignore these extras.

Understanding Your Broadband Speed Results

You signed up for ‘up to’ 100Mbps but you’re getting 60Mbps. Is that normal? Yes, ‘up to’ speeds are marketing maximums, not guarantees. Real world speeds depend on network congestion, distance from exchange (for FTTC), WiFi signal strength, and time of day. Download a speed testing app and test during off peak hours (midday weekdays) versus peak hours (6–9 PM evenings). Peak hour speeds should still meet your Minimum Guaranteed Access Speed (MAP). If they fall short, contact your provider to report faults. Use multiple speed tests, single tests can be misleading due to temporary congestion. Test on wired connection versus WiFi to identify WiFi issues separately. Expect variations of 10–15% around advertised speeds as normal. Consistent speeds 30%+ below advertised warrant complaint to your provider.

Cost Comparison: Total Contract Cost vs Monthly Price

A provider advertising £20/month might actually cost more than one advertising £25/month. The difference? Hidden charges. A £20/month deal might include £80 setup fee, £10/month router rental, and annual price rises reaching £35 by month 12. A £25/month plan might have £0 setup, included router, and price lock. Total 24-month cost for the first: £20×12 + £32×12 + £80 = £704. Total for the second: £25×24 = £600. The cheaper monthly offer cost you £104 more overall. Always calculate total cost including all fees over the full contract period. Many people make switching decisions based on misleading comparisons. Use a calculator entering exact fees to compare accurately. Don’t trust advertised monthly rates alone.

Switching Process: What Actually Happens

Day 1: You sign up online or phone the new provider. Day 2–3: New provider contacts your existing provider to notify of the switch. Your current provider confirms disconnect date (typically 7–14 days away). Day 5–7: New provider arranges installation engineer visit. Day 7–10: Engineer installs new broadband service at your home. Day 10–14: Your previous broadband disconnects automatically. Throughout the process, you maintain broadband, no period without service if switching properly. The new provider provides a migration code so you keep your phone number (important if you have landline). Your old provider may contact offering retention discounts. These sometimes beat new provider offers. You have 14 days to cancel if unsatisfied. Most providers offer money back guarantee within this cooling off period. Keep documentation of what you signed up for in case disputes arise.