Community Fibre Essential Broadband

Community Fibre Essential is one of the cheapest full fibre broadband plans in London, offering 35Mbps average download and upload speeds. It is ideal for one or two people who mainly browse websites, watch HD videos, make video calls and use online banking.

Unlike most broadband social tariffs, you do not need to receive government benefits to qualify. Anyone living at an address covered by Community Fibre can apply, subject to its usual customer checks.

Essential comes with unlimited data, free installation, a Wi-Fi router and a 12-month contract. The monthly price stays the same throughout the minimum contract period.

Community Fibre Essential at a glance

Detail	Essential 35Mbps
Monthly price	£12.50
Average download speed	35Mbps
Average upload speed	35Mbps
Network	Community Fibre full fibre
Contract	12 months
Price increase during contract	None
Price after 12 months	£16.50/month
Setup fee	Free
Broadband usage	Unlimited
Router	Linksys WHW01 (Wi-Fi 5)
Benefits eligibility check	Not required
Availability	Covered addresses in London and surrounding areas

Who can get Community Fibre Essential?

Community Fibre makes Essential available to everyone within its network coverage. You do not need to provide evidence of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support or any other benefit.

This makes the plan suitable for pensioners, students, people on low incomes and anyone who needs affordable broadband.

Existing Community Fibre customers can also ask to move to Essential if they want to reduce their monthly bill. You can check coverage and other options in our Community Fibre broadband guide.

Contract and price rises

Essential has a 12-month contract with no annual price increases during that period. Unlike Community Fibre’s standard broadband packages, it is exempt from April price increases while you remain within the minimum term.

At the end of 12 months, your monthly bill increases by £4 if you remain on the same plan. Community Fibre’s published out-of-contract policy also provides for £3 annual increases each April thereafter.

You can contact Community Fibre before your contract ends to discuss renewing, upgrading or cancelling.

Router and Wi-Fi

Community Fibre supplies the Linksys WHW01 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 mesh router with Essential. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless connections and has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of which is normally used for the incoming broadband connection.

The router can comfortably handle the plan’s 35Mbps speed. It also supports additional compatible Linksys mesh units if you need better coverage in other rooms.

However, Essential does not include the newer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 routers supplied with faster packages. See our Community Fibre Linksys router comparison for details.

Is Community Fibre Essential fast enough?

A 35Mbps connection is suitable for routine internet use, particularly in smaller households.

HD and 4K streaming: Essential can handle HD television and video streaming without difficulty under normal conditions. One 4K stream is also possible, although it leaves less bandwidth for other devices.

Working from home: Its symmetrical 35Mbps connection is great for Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. You can make video calls, send emails and upload documents without needing a faster package.

Online gaming: The connection is fast enough for multiplayer gaming, provided other household members are not using most of the bandwidth. However, downloading a 50GB game takes about three hours and ten minutes under ideal conditions.

For households with several regular internet users, Community Fibre’s 150Mbps or 500Mbps packages provide more room for simultaneous streaming, gaming and large downloads.

How to apply for Community Fibre Essential

You can order Essential through Community Fibre’s website.

1. Visit Community Fibre and enter your postcode.
2. Check whether its full fibre network covers your address.
3. Select the Essential 35Mbps plan.
4. Complete your order and arrange an installation appointment if required.

There is no benefits verification process. New customers receive the router and standard installation without an additional setup charge.

Community Fibre Essential pros and cons

Pros

• Affordable full fibre broadband.
• No government benefits or income checks for tariff eligibility.
• Equal 35Mbps download and upload speeds.
• Unlimited broadband usage.
• Free router and installation.
• No annual price rises during the 12-month contract.
• Existing customers can enquire about switching to Essential.

Cons

• 35Mbps may be insufficient for several heavy internet users.
• Large games and software updates take longer to download.
• Older Wi-Fi 5 router instead of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
• No Premium WiFi coverage guarantee.
• Monthly charge increases after the 12-month term.
• Limited to Community Fibre’s network coverage.

Community Fibre Essential FAQs

Is Community Fibre Essential available to people who work full-time?

Yes. Your employment status and income do not affect eligibility for Essential. You can apply even if you work full-time and do not receive government benefits.

Can I upgrade to a faster broadband plan later?

Yes. Community Fibre allows customers to request a speed upgrade. Moving to another package may change your monthly charge and contract terms.

Does Essential include the same full fibre connection as faster plans?

Yes. It uses Community Fibre’s own fibre-to-the-premises network, just like its faster broadband packages. The main difference is the speed limit applied to your plan.

Do I need a telephone line for Essential?

No. Essential is a broadband-only service, and you do not need to pay for traditional telephone line rental.

Can I leave Community Fibre Essential before 12 months?

Essential has a 12-month minimum term, rather than a rolling monthly agreement. Check the early cancellation conditions in your contract before ordering. Community Fibre also provides a satisfaction guarantee for new connections, subject to its conditions.