Traditional copper broadband was a game-changer when it burst onto the scene at the turn of the millennium, replacing dial-up for easy access to the wonders of the web. But technology and our internet habits have evolved since, and fibre has emerged as a better match for our busy lives.  

There's still lots of confusion about exactly what fibre broadband is, though. This isn't helped by some providers referring to part-fibre, part-copper networks as fibre broadband either. (Spoiler alert: our 100% full fibre network uses no copper for the fastest and most reliable connection).  

Get to grips with standard, fibre and full fibre broadband in this handy guide. You'll find out what's right for you and what's available in your area too. 

Fibre vs standard broadband: The basics 

Let's get things straight early on: fibre is still broadband, it's just a newer type than standard or 'ADSL'.  

What is standard broadband (ADSL)? 

Standard broadband uses old copper telephone lines to deliver the internet to a street cabinet and then to your home. Its technical name is Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL).  

ADSL was a big upgrade on dial-up internet back in the day, but it's showing its age (just like we are by mentioning dial-up). It struggles to cope with some of the basic things many of us use the internet for every day, with average speeds of only 11Mbps. (Psst: check our broadband speeds guide if you're not sure what Mbps means). 

This technology is so past it, in fact, that the copper telephone lines used by ADSL are being retired permanently in 2027.       

Understanding fibre broadband 

Fibre is the newer, faster and more reliable upgrade to copper broadband. It uses fibre-optic cables instead of old copper lines. These cables can carry broadband signals at the speed of light – using a fraction of the energy in the process – making it easier to do more online like streaming, gaming and working.  

However, many people don't realise that not all fibre broadband is built equal. Let's break down the two types: FTTC (part fibre) and FTTH/FTTP (full fibre), and why the latter is best.  

Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) 

FTTC uses fibre cables to carry internet up to a street cabinet, then old copper cables for the final stretch to your home. Some providers sneakily call this 'fibre broadband' even though it still relies on slower copper part of the way. 

Don't get us wrong – FTTC is still better than standard ADSL broadband, offering typical speeds between 30–70 Mbps. However, it can slow down during peak times and generally gets worse the further away from the cabinet you are, which is out of your control.    

Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) / Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP)

This type runs fibre optic cables directly to your property, meaning you get a fast, reliable connection that lives up to its potential. There are no copper cables to slow it down along the way – hence why it's known as full fibre. 

You might see it referred to as Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) or Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), which can also be used to describe business connections.  

Whatever you call it, full fibre brings you speeds of up to 1 Gbps and beyond with no dips in performance. We even offer a 3 Gbps broadband – enough to handle the most internet-hungry households – with ease.    

Want to know more? Check out our guides to understanding full fibre broadband and FTTC vs FTTH vs FTTP.   

Key takeaway: All fibre broadband is better than standard copper broadband. But FTTP and FTTH broadband like ours is better than FTTC broadband, which is still part-copper, making it slower and less stable.     

Old or part-fibre broadband getting you down? Here are six great reasons to take the step up to full fibre: 

• Faster speeds: With no copper cables slowing you down, you can go full speed ahead whether working from home, live streaming or gaming – and so can the rest of your household. It'll handle even the most data-heavy activities across multiple devices in a high-demand area, no sweat.  

• More reliable connection: With fibre-optic cables doing the hard work instead of outdated part or full-copper, it's a connection you can count on. No more sad signal slowdowns or drop-outs – our 100% full fibre network is up and running 99.9% of the time, including during peak hours and bad weather.    

• Lower latency: Latency, measured as ping in milliseconds (ms), is technical speak for the time delay between sending information and it being received and having an effect – like speaking on a video call. With high latency, your audio takes longer to reach the other people on the call, creating an annoying lag. Full fibre promises lower latency, so your online chats are seamless.  

• Future-proof: Upgrading sets you up for a better future. Your home will be ready for all the latest tech when you are, from 8K streaming to smart home devices and the metaverse.

• More secure: Time to layer up. Full fibre plugged directly into your home (and your home only) usually includes encrypted data transmission, keeping your connection and online activity hidden from cybercriminals. 

• Property value: Need one last incentive? Kitting out your property could even add value to it as more buyers depend on top-notch WiFi, as found by a study by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.    

Is full fibre broadband right for me?   

Discover London's best full fibre broadband today 

Hopefully, this guide has clued you up on the different types of broadband. Remember, some fibre broadband out there isn't full fibre like ours is. 

If you're ready to experience the fastest, most reliable internet connection, simply enter your postcode to see if we can set you up. Or head to our Content Hub for more guides on understanding and choosing broadband as well as making the most of it.