Full Fibre

What’s Full Fibre (FTTP) Broadband?

Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) delivers fibre optic cables directly to homes and businesses, enabling gigabit capable speeds. This is the most advanced broadband technology available, offering futur proof performance for any online activity.

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

Full Fibre Speeds and Performance

• Download speeds: 150 Mbps to 1000+ Mbps
• Upload speeds: Much higher than FTTC or ADSL
• Latency: Low latency ideal for gaming and video conferencing
• Symmetrical options: Equal upload and download speeds available

Full Fibre Networks Available in the UK

When Do You Need Full Fibre Speeds?

• 4K video streaming on multiple TVs
• Online gaming with competitive responsiveness
• Working from home with video conferencing
• Large file uploads/downloads
• Multiple household users simultaneously
• Content creation and professional use

Full Fibre Availability and Rollout

Over 30% of UK premises can now access full fibre FTTP. Openreach and CityFibre are leading deployment with targets to reach 70%+ by 2027. Check your postcode to see current and planned FTTP availability.

Full fibre now covers over half the country. If it’s available in your area and you haven’t switched yet, there’s a real chance you’re leaving speed and reliability on the table.

How Full Fibre Broadband Is Installed

Full fibre FTTP installation is straightforward if you understand the process. An engineer runs fibre from the street cabinet to your home’s external wall. They drill a small hole (unless your home is pre ducted, meaning ducts are already installed). The fibre enters a terminal box on your external wall. Internal wiring runs from this terminal to your router location. Typical installation takes 2–4 hours. You’ll be at home during installation. The engineer tests the connection, hands over the router, and runs through basics. Post installation, you’ll receive a welcome pack with router login details. Some providers include professional installation in the package cost. Others offer it optionally. Budget £100–150 if paying separately. Installation quality varies between engineers and providers. If the installation seems rushed or sloppy, request a follow up inspection, providers typically offer this on request.

Full Fibre vs Standard Fibre: Rea World Differences

Full fibre (FTTP) delivers symmetric speeds, download and upload match. 100Mbps down means 100Mbps up. Standard fibre (FTTC) caps uploads at 3–10Mbps regardless of download speed. This matters more than people realise. Video conferencing, streaming broadcasts, and large file uploads all benefit from good upload speeds. FTTP consistency during peak hours is remarkable. FTTC performance degrades as network load increases (typically after 6 PM). FTTP barely fluctuates. Latency on FTTP is typically 5–10ms. FTTC adds 20–30ms. For gaming, this difference is noticeable. Reliability statistics show FTTP experiences fewer service interruptions. Fewer faults to resolve, faster resolution when problems occur. Home workers and gamers notice FTTP’s superiority most acutely. For light streaming and browsing, differences matter less. But if you’re staying put long term, FTTP’s combination of symmetrical speeds, consistency, and reliability justifies the modest price premium.

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.