These guides explain the parts of broadband that trip people up, without the jargon. Each one answers a single question properly and points you to a deal or provider page when you are ready to choose.
Choosing broadband
The broadband speed your home needs: household size, streaming, gaming and upload speed turned into a simple number. Start here if you are asking what broadband speed you need or what counts as a good broadband speed.
Full fibre vs fibre vs ADSL: the connection types explained, plus installation. It answers what full fibre broadband is and how FTTP differs from FTTC.
5G and mobile broadband: how 5G home broadband and mobile broadband work, the signal you need and when they beat a fixed line.
Rural broadband: your options when you live outside towns, from rural full fibre networks to 5G and the right to request a better connection.
Once you know the speed and connection type, our best broadband picks set out the strongest options, and the broadband checker narrows them down to your address.
Contracts and costs
Broadband price rises: every provider’s yearly increase, your right to leave and the providers with fixed prices.
Leaving a broadband contract early: exit fee rules, the situations where you can leave for free and offers that pay your fees.
No contract broadband: rolling monthly and 12 month deals, and when a short contract costs less overall.
Broadband social tariffs: cheaper broadband if you claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits.
Switching and moving
Switching broadband provider: One Touch Switch step by step, your rights during the switch and automatic compensation. It covers how to change broadband provider, including moving to Virgin Media or a full fibre network.
Broadband when moving home: taking your contract with you, what happens if your provider can’t serve the new address, and how to avoid a gap in service.
The best time to switch is when your contract ends. If you are still in contract, read our guide to leaving a broadband contract early first.
Speed and Wi-Fi
Broadband speed test: how to check your broadband speed properly, what the results mean and what to do if your broadband is slow.
Wi-Fi boosters, extenders and mesh: why Wi-Fi drops in some rooms, and when a booster, extender or mesh system is the right fix.
Prefer your provider to handle it? BT Complete Wi-Fi, Vodafone Super WiFi, Virgin Media WiFi Max and Sky WiFi Max are mesh services built around each provider’s own router. For the router itself, start with our BT Smart Hub 3, Virgin Media Hubs, Vodafone routers and Sky routers pages.
Home phone
Landline switch off: what the move to digital phone lines means for your calls, your number, telecare alarms and power cuts.
Already with BT, Vodafone or Virgin Media? Their digital phone services are covered on our BT Digital Voice, Vodafone Home Phone and Virgin Media Home Phone pages.
Guides for your situation
| Your situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Student house share | Student broadband deals |
| Renting or moving soon | Moving home and no contract broadband |
| Claiming benefits or Pension Credit | Broadband social tariffs |
| Living in a flat or apartment block | Hyperoptic |
| Living in London | Community Fibre |
| Living in a rural area | Rural broadband and 5G and mobile broadband |
| Weak Wi-Fi upstairs or at the back of the house | Wi-Fi boosters, extenders and mesh |
| Working from home or creating content | Upload speed and full fibre providers |
| Gaming | Broadband speed for gaming |
| Using a telecare alarm or landline | Landline switch off |
Broadband terms explained
Broadband comes with its own language: FTTP and FTTC, altnets, Mb and MB, upload speed, ping, mesh, One Touch Switch, exit fees and social tariffs. Our broadband glossary explains each term in a sentence or two and links to the guide that covers it in full.
Ready to compare?
Our deals pages give one clear pick for each situation, and our provider guides explain who each provider suits.
FAQs
What broadband speed do I need?
Most homes are well served by a package in the 100Mb to 150Mb range. Busy households with lots of streaming and gaming in the evening may want 500Mb or faster. Our guide to what broadband speed you need walks you through it.
Is full fibre worth it?
In most cases. Full fibre holds its speed better at peak times, and the entry packages are often priced in line with older part fibre deals. See full fibre vs fibre for the detail.
How do I change broadband provider?
Pick a new deal and order it. That single order sets the switch in motion: the new provider lets your old one know and agrees a date for the changeover. Our guide to how to switch broadband provider covers every step.
Why is my broadband slow?
Often it’s Wi-Fi rather than the line itself, especially in rooms far from the router. Our broadband speed test guide shows how to find the cause, and our Wi-Fi boosters and mesh guide covers the fixes.