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Prices independently verified by FDM on behalf of Community Fibre. Monthly price increases by £2 each year from 1st April 2026. At the end of your contract your price will increase by £4 versus your last month.

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Broadband comparison table

150 mbps  annual 24

CF 150 Mbps Fibre Broadband

Vodafone Full Fibre 150

BT Full Fibre 100 

Sky Ultrafast

Virgin M125 - (150)

TalkTalk Full Fibre 150mbps 

Plusnet Full Fibre 145

EE  Full Fibre 150 Essentials

Hyperoptic Superfast Comparison 24 months

150 Mbps

1 Gig 1 Gbps annual 24 (2)

CF 1gbps 24 months MAIN TABLE 

Vodafone

Vodafone 1 Gig 12 months

BT 1GigComparison 24 months MAIN TABLE

Sky Gigafast 24 months MAIN TABLE

Virgin media

Virgin 1 Gig Comparison 24 months

TalkTalk Future Fibre 900 24 months

Plusnet Full Fibre 900

EE 1Gig 24 months

Hyperoptic

Hyperoptic Hyperfast Comparison 24 months

G.Network Gigafast

1 Gbps

3Gig 3 Gbps annual 24

Discover 3 GigaFast

3 Gbps

43x faster than the UK download average*&nbsp; 163x faster than the UK upload average*&nbsp;
*UK average download and upload speeds are 69.4 Mbps and 18.4 Mbps respectively. Source: Ofcom - UK Home Broadband Performance - Published: 14th September 2023.

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<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-full-fibre-is-best">Full fibre</a> broadband means you benefit from a super-fast, reliable internet connection, thanks to future-proof technology. You can say goodbye to unsustainable, old-fashioned copper cables in your network.
Until recently, having a &lsquo;fibre&rsquo; connection could mean you&rsquo;d be connected to a &lsquo;part-fibre&rsquo; network with older copper or &lsquo;cable&rsquo; connections in some areas.
However, after Ofcom discovered that <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/tackling-consumer-confusion-broadband-technology/">27% of customers</a> don&rsquo;t understand the terminology around full vs part-fibre broadband, they released new industry guidance. We&rsquo;re here to unpack what this means, what to expect from your broadband provider, and why it&rsquo;s important to have a full fibre broadband connection, as well as answering your questions:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="#definition" rel="follow">What does full fibre mean?</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#need" rel="follow">Do you need a full fibre connection?</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#installed" rel="follow">How is full fibre installed?</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#compare" rel="follow">Full vs part-fibre connections: what&rsquo;s the difference?</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#benefits" rel="follow">The benefits of full fibre broadband</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#how" rel="follow">How can I tell if my connection is full fibre?</a>
</li>
</ul>
 
<h2 id="definition">What does full fibre mean?</h2>
A full fibre broadband connection means that a fibre-optic cable runs directly from your broadband provider to your home or business. This is also known as &lsquo;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/ftth-vs-fttp-vs-fttc#FTTP">Fibre-To-The-Premises</a>&rsquo; (FTTP.) As fibre-optic cables can transmit data at the speed of light, this means you receive a connection that is fast, reliable, and future-proof. Only a network which delivers solely full fibre to the premises can claim to be full fibre.
While more than half of the UK has access to full fibre, you may need to wait for it to be installed in your area before you can enjoy the full benefits.
In fact, the UK government has pledged that full fibre will be available to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bduk-corporate-plan-2024-to-2025/bduk-corporate-plan-2024-to-2025#:~:text=We%20will%20deliver%20gigabit%2Dcapable,gigabit%2Dcapable%20broadband%20by%202030.">85% of the map by 2025</a>, and nationwide by 2030. And with new fibre cables being installed all the time, it&rsquo;s likely you&rsquo;ll enjoy faster speeds (150+ Mbps) very soon! If you live in London, Surrey or Sussex, you can check if Community Fibre full fibre broadband is <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">available in your area</a>.
Essentially, full fibre broadband works in a much simpler way than part-fibre networks. Rather than being constantly rerouted through a mix of copper and fibre optic lines, the data you&rsquo;re paying for goes from your provider and through the network at lightspeed. When it arrives at your home, it is rapidly sent out from your router&rsquo;s WiFi signal to the device you&rsquo;re using- whether that&rsquo;s a laptop, phone, tablet or gaming system.
All homes and businesses on the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">Community Fibre</a> network are guaranteed a full fibre connection using the latest technology, allowing us to make sure you receive the same speeds for both uploads and downloads. For providers using a part-fibre network, the outdated technology will prevent them from delivering symmetrical speeds - and some even deliberately prevent matching upload and download speeds. As our network is 100% full fibre, there is no outdated technology pulling speeds down.
With unbeatable speeds at unbeatable prices ranging from 150 Mbps to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/3-gigafast" rel="follow">3 Gbps</a>, we offer Fibre-To-The-Premises solutions that fit the needs of your household.
<h3 id="need">Do you need a full fibre connection?</h3>
While part-fibre connections might seem like enough for your household right now, the demand for data is constantly growing. That&rsquo;s why Ofcom is making it a priority for people to understand what they&rsquo;re signing up for from their broadband provider.
While growing demand for efficient, high-speed broadband means eventually full fibre will be a must across the country, there are many everyday scenarios that benefit from the reliability it offers today, such as:
<ul>
<li>
Households with a love of streaming, e.g. <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/tv">live TV</a> programs, <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/gaming">gaming</a>, or YouTube channels.
</li>
<li>
Households with many devices connected to the WiFi at any given time. You might live in a busy household with lots of people, each with their own devices, or live alone with many devices connected at once. Bandwidth is shared across all the connected devices, making it necessary to have a larger bandwidth by opting for a higher speed <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">broadband package</a>.
</li>
<li>
Remote workers &mdash; <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/working-from-home-broadband-speed">WFH jobs</a> require a&nbsp; connection you can rely on, even during high-traffic periods and lousy weather. Video conferencing is essential for most home workers to connect with colleagues. For video calls,&nbsp; you don&rsquo;t just need fast download speeds to see and hear your colleagues, you also need fast upload speeds so they can see and hear you.
</li>
<li>
Students &mdash; More and more classes take place online, household Zoom calls have become a weekend tradition, and the pressure to submit coursework online is mounting. As a result, many people in higher education are <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-find-the-best-student-broadband-packages">looking for high-quality broadband</a> to support their efforts.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Small business owners &mdash; if your <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/business/why-full-fibre-is-best-for-business">business depends on the internet</a> for online operations, admin, emails, meetings, and marketing, you&rsquo;ll need 24/7 access to it all. And the faster your connection, the better.
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="installed">How is full fibre installed?</h3>
If you do decide to make the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">switch</a> to a full fibre connection, you can expect a straightforward <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/installation-process-faqs">installation</a> process that usually takes up to two hours. Community Fibre engineers are available to install your connection Monday to Saturday from 8am and 5pm.
<ol>
<li>
We arrive and determine the best route for internal cabling and your router.
</li>
<li>
We drill a small hole into a wall close to a door, balcony or window to feed the fibre optic cable into your home.
</li>
<li>
We install the necessary tech such as the modem and router, and we wall mount the fibre socket. We&rsquo;ll also place any additional routers you might have ordered to maximise coverage throughout your home.
</li>
<li>
We&rsquo;ll connect up to two of your devices, and perform a speed test through a fixed connection and WiFi to ensure everything is working as expected.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
We&rsquo;ll make sure to provide you with your username and password so you can connect all your other devices, and then we&rsquo;ll clean and tidy up after ourselves before leaving.
</li>
</ol>
 
<h2 id="compare">Full vs part-fibre connections: what&rsquo;s the difference?</h2>
We&rsquo;ve explained that part-fibre connections use a mix of cable, fibre and copper connections throughout their network, but how does this actually impact your broadband connection?
Part-fibre, or &lsquo;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/ftth-vs-fttp-vs-fttc#FTTC">Fibre-To-The-Cabinet</a>&rsquo; (FTTC) broadband doesn&rsquo;t travel at the speed of light through some portions of the network, which means your connection speeds are slower than you&rsquo;d expect from full fibre. Copper connections are also impacted by the distance from your home to the local exchange, where your provider supplies the broadband, and signals can degrade over distance.
<h3>New guidance for broadband providers</h3>
The difference can be surprisingly confusing, especially because until recently some providers have claimed to offer a &lsquo;fibre&rsquo; connection when in fact they are offering Fibre-To-The-Cabinet. Thankfully, <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/tackling-consumer-confusion-broadband-technology/">Ofcom&rsquo;s recent guidance</a> means this deceptive language will be replaced with clarity. Under the <a href="https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/10283-new-ofcom-guidance-on-broadband-marketing">new rules</a>, providers must:
<ul>
<li>
Remove ambiguous language &mdash; &lsquo;fibre&rsquo; on its own is not enough to clarify if a connection is part or full fibre, so this will now be clearly stated.
</li>
<li>
Explain broadband technology in detail &mdash; this means your questions will be answered in an accessible way by your provider.
</li>
</ul>
Simply put, part-fibre connections are generally slower and less reliable than full fibre broadband.&nbsp;
 
<h2 id="benefits">The benefits of full fibre broadband</h2>
So, how is full fibre broadband better than its traditional part-copper counterpart? There are six main benefits:
<h3>1. High-speed connectivity</h3>
Faster <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-speeds-guide">broadband speeds</a> are ideal for data-heavy activities like working from home, live <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-speed-for-4k-streaming">streaming</a>, gaming, and supporting multiple devices on the same connection at the same time.
For example, Community Fibre&rsquo;s most popular 1 Gbps package has an average upload/download speed of 920 Mbps, which is considered ultrafast. Our fastest plan, <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/3-gigafast">3 Gbps Premium</a> delivers a full-fibre connection that is lightning fast, even if you&rsquo;re live streaming on multiple devices, living in an area with high demand and high traffic periods, or if bad weather looms on the horizon.
<h3>2. Increased reliability</h3>
With a reliance on pure fibre optic cables instead of older technology, your network is less prone to signal degradation, so you can enjoy your connection regardless of weather or periods of high traffic. Community Fibre&rsquo;s network is <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre">up and running 99.9% of the time</a>, with no peak-time slowdowns.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>3. Low latency</h3>
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-ping-jitter-and-latency-affect-your-gaming-experience">Latency</a> refers to the time delay between sending information (the input), and the information being received and having an effect (the output). It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms). For example, let&rsquo;s say you are on a video call and there is a delay (or a lag) in the time it takes for your video and audio to reach the other person. Low latency is &lsquo;good&rsquo; latency, while high latency is &lsquo;poor&rsquo;. Full fibre offers lower latency, to keep your online experience smooth and seamless.&nbsp;
<h3>4. Future-proof sustainable technology</h3>
It&rsquo;s important to use sustainable alternatives wherever possible to help contribute to a better future. And for broadband, full fibre is the green choice&nbsp; that will keep everyone connected while limiting its environmental impact.
Full fibre broadband networks are built with high speed and high demand in mind. Signals travel at the speed of light, which means your connection won&rsquo;t suffer from an expanding population (with greater demands for data), increasingly smart (and bandwidth-demanding) technology, or even virtual reality systems. Fibre optic cables used to transmit signals are energy-efficient, requiring 70% less energy than copper cables to deliver faster connections.
Additionally, the materials used for fibre optics cables are more sustainable than traditional copper. While copper cables are made from non-renewable copper which has to be mined, fibre cables use ultra-clear glass made from sand. Not only this, but fibre optic cables have a longer lifespan than copper. This longevity reduces the need for regular maintenance, replacements or upgrades &mdash; and cuts down on unnecessary waste.
<h3>5. More secure</h3>
Fibre-To-The-Premises connections typically include encrypted data transmission and are less susceptible to signal degradation. This means your connection will be both stable and private, with an additional <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-set-up-a-secure-home-network">layer of security</a> between you and cybercriminals.
<h3>6. Increases property value</h3>
This isn&rsquo;t just a theory &mdash; a study by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media &amp; Sport found that having full fibre broadband can <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/broadband-speed-boost-sees-home-values-jump-by-3500">add roughly &pound;3,500</a> to a property&rsquo;s value.
With more of the population working from home and increased dependency on a solid WiFi connection, more and more buyers are looking for homes already fitted with the luxury of full fibre broadband.
 
<h2 id="how">How can I tell if my connection is full fibre?</h2>
It can be difficult to understand if your broadband connection is full fibre or if you need to upgrade, especially if you&rsquo;re renting or don&rsquo;t know your building&rsquo;s history.
Here are a few signs you can look for:
<ul>
<li>
Speed &mdash; full fibre connections typically offer ultrafast speeds and <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-check-wifi-signal-strength">strong connections</a>. We recommend looking for 300+ Mbps. In addition, you can take a <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest">free broadband speed test</a> online fairly easily.
</li>
<li>
An ONT should be present &mdash; this often looks like a white box with the fibre cable connected, and can be wall-mounted.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re still unsure, you can contact your provider to check what type of connection you have with them.
 
<h2>Start speedy browsing with Community Fibre</h2>
All <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages" rel="follow">Community Fibre broadband packages</a> use sustainable full fibre and come with no set-up fees for engineer callouts, as well as a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you&rsquo;re not happy with your broadband connection, neither are we &mdash; and you can leave with no exit fees.
If you&rsquo;re interested in upgrading to full fibre broadband, <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">check our availability here</a> to see if we can help.

Discover what full fibre means, and how you can be sure you’re getting the best broadband package available.

What is Full Fibre Broadband?

Full fibre broadband is fast, reliable, and future-proof. Learn more about how full fibre works and how it can elevate your online activity.

Understanding full fibre broadband

Thursday, 12th December, London: New broadband customers could save up to &pound;619 on their broadband bills₁ simply by switching to 100% full fibre thanks to <a target="_blank" href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/" rel="noopener">Community Fibre</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
With packages from 150 Mbps to 3 Gbps, Community Fibre boasts speeds that are 43x faster than the UK average download speed, and 163x faster than the UK average upload speed₂ with a 70% saving versus the national provider₃ that runs over 99.9% of the time4 with no peak-time slowdown.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Consistently beating all-comers including BT, Virgin, Sky and TalkTalk when it comes to price, new customers switching to Community Fibre could see savings of &pound;619 on their broadband bills over a 24-month period simply by switching to the faster, more affordable provider.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
See how Community Fibre&rsquo;s 100% full fibre 1 Gbps package compares with other providers below*:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 938px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 211.979px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 11.4pt;">
<td style="width: 118.417px; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Provider Name&nbsp;
</td>
<td style="width: 120.25px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
Community Fibre
</td>
<td style="width: 112.75px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
Vodafone
</td>
<td style="width: 112.563px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
BT
</td>
<td style="width: 116.542px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
Sky
</td>
<td style="width: 114.667px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
Virgin Media
</td>
<td style="width: 114.406px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
TalkTalk
</td>
<td style="width: 116.604px; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; padding: 0cm;">
Hyperoptic
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 11.4pt;">
<td style="width: 118.417px; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-top: none; padding: 0cm;">
Product&nbsp;
</td>
<td style="width: 120.25px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
1 Gbps Fibre Broadband
</td>
<td style="width: 112.75px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Full Fibre 910
</td>
<td style="width: 112.563px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Full Fibre 900
</td>
<td style="width: 116.542px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Full Fibre Gigafast Broadband
</td>
<td style="width: 114.667px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Gig1
</td>
<td valign="top" style="width: 114.406px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&nbsp;
Full Fibre 900
</td>
<td style="width: 116.604px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
Hyperfast
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 11.4pt;">
<td style="width: 118.417px; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-top: none; padding: 0cm;">
Initial In Contract&nbsp; Monthly Cost&nbsp;
</td>
<td style="width: 120.25px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;25.00
</td>
<td style="width: 112.75px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;38.00
</td>
<td style="width: 112.563px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;44.99
</td>
<td style="width: 116.542px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;44.00
</td>
<td style="width: 114.667px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;40.99
</td>
<td style="width: 114.406px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;45.00
</td>
<td style="width: 116.604px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;40.00
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 11.4pt;">
<td style="width: 118.417px; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-top: none; padding: 0cm;">
Total Additional Cost vs. Community Fibre including Price Increases&nbsp;
</td>
<td style="width: 120.25px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
-
</td>
<td style="width: 112.75px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;380.00
</td>
<td style="width: 112.563px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;547.76
</td>
<td style="width: 116.542px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;440.00**
</td>
<td style="width: 114.667px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;589.82**
</td>
<td style="width: 114.406px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;619.70
</td>
<td style="width: 116.604px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm;">
&pound;363.00
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
*Accurate as of 10/12/2024&nbsp;
**Providers without a fixed "Pounds &amp; Pence&rdquo; price rise policy do not have Price Increases included in their calculation. Virgin Media's current policy is: Monthly price shown will increase each April from April 2025 by the Retail Price Index rate of inflation announced in February each year plus 3.9%. Sky's current policy is: Prices may vary during your contract.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Those who join can also enjoy fixed contract prices on all 24-month Community Fibre packages until April 2026*** as well as no set up fee.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
LOWEST PRICE EVER: 1 Gbps Full Fibre broadband available at &pound;25/month on a 24-month contract with fixed contract prices until April 2025 as well as no setup fee. Ideal for heavy use households and great for live streaming ultra-high definition (UHD) content. Average wired download/upload speeds of 920 Mbps, with expected WiFi download/upload speeds of 450 - 700 Mbps.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
*** 24 months contracts - If your contract start date is between 10th December 2024 and 31st March 2025, your monthly price is fixed until April 2026, then increases by &pound;2 each year. At the end of your contract your price will increase by &pound;4 versus your last month.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
For new customers struggling to get online, Community Fibre also offers its own Full Fibre Essential 35 Mbps broadband at &pound;12.50/month. These discounted broadband deals are usually available for people on Universal Credit and other benefits. However, unlike most other providers, Community Fibre does not ask for proof of income support or government benefits &ndash; making it one of the most accessible and affordable social broadband tariffs on the market. More information about its Essential 35 Mbps Full Fibre broadband can be found at <a target="_blank" href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps" rel="noopener">https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
To find out more about the award-winning 100% full fibre provider, hailed by Which? as the UK&rsquo;s &lsquo;top-ranked broadband provider&rsquo;, new customers can head to <a target="_blank" href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/" rel="noopener">communityfibre.co.uk</a> or speak with a member of the team on 0808 196 6262 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 8pm, weekends and bank holidays, 9am - 5pm).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
End
&nbsp;
Contact&nbsp;
For more information, please contact <a target="_blank" href="mailto:press@communityfibre.co.uk" rel="noopener">press@communityfibre.co.uk</a> for all media enquiries.&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
Notes to editors&nbsp;
₁ Savings of up to &pound;619 based on data independently checked and verified by FDM UK (10/12/2024). <a target="_blank" href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/legal-stuff#promotional" rel="noopener">Ts&amp;Cs apply</a>.&nbsp;
₂ Source: UK average download and upload speeds are 69.4 Mbps and 18.4 Mbps, respectively - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/267926/march-23-home-broadband-performance.pdf" rel="noopener">Ofcom UK Home Broadband Performance,</a> download average based on median. Published September 2023.&nbsp;
₃ Source: Savings compared to national providers: Based on 24-month contract on 1 Gbps Fibre Broadband.&nbsp;
4 Source: Community Fibre's network has been running for over 99.9% of the time every month since March 2022. Data is measured monthly across all consumer connected homes on Community Fibre's network.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
About Community Fibre&nbsp;
<a target="_blank" href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/" rel="noopener">Community Fibre</a> is London&rsquo;s best quality broadband, providing fast, affordable, sustainable connections for everyone. As of November 2023, it has passed 1.3 million homes across and around the capital, with more than 185,000 London-based businesses within 200 metres of Community Fibre&rsquo;s network footprint. Using the UK&rsquo;s best broadband technology, it is bringing Gigafast broadband at unbeatable speeds and prices to the capital, helping Londoners do more and be more. Community Fibre also operates in parts of Surry and Sussex under its own brand, where prior to May 2024 it was operating as Box Broadband.&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
As the Best Internet Provider network on Trustpilot, commanding an &lsquo;Excellent&rsquo; rated service with more than 47,000 5-star reviews (December 2024), Community Fibre offers speeds of up to 3 Gbps for consumers &ndash; up to 43x faster than the UK average download speed and 163x faster than the UK average upload speed, as well as broadband packages of up to 10 Gbps for businesses.&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
In March 2024, Community Fibre achieved the top ranking by Which? in its 2024 customer satisfaction survey, as well as the UK&rsquo;s #1 leading broadband provider by Broadband Savvy (August 2023). Community Fibre was awarded 2023&rsquo;s Best Alternative Network by Uswitch. In November 2024, Community Fibre was recognised at the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) Awards as the UK&rsquo;s Best Consumer ISP in its category for the fifth consecutive year. Most recently, it picked up award wins for Consistent Quality, Download Speed, Upload Speed, Reliability Experience and Video Experience on Opensignal&rsquo;s London Regional Fixed Broadband Experience Table (December 2024).&nbsp;
&nbsp;

New broadband customers could save up to £619 on their broadband bills simply by switching to 100% full fibre thanks to Community Fibre

Save £619 on broadband by switching to Community Fibre

New broadband customers could save up to £619 on their broadband bills simply by switching to 100% full fibre thanks to Community Fibre.

Save £619 on broadband bills simply by switching broadband provider

<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">Switching broadband</a> has historically been a daunting process. You would previously have had to consider the potential service disruption, communicate the change between your current and new provider &ndash; taking up a lot of your time and effort.
Thankfully, a new development in the industry is set to make everything a lot simpler &mdash; and more painless. If you&rsquo;re looking to switch to full fibre broadband or simply a different provider, One Touch Switching is the way to go.
 
<h2>What is One Touch Switching?</h2>
If you&rsquo;re thinking of switching broadband providers, One Touch Switching (OTS) means you&rsquo;ll only need to contact your chosen new broadband provider to start the process. This applies whether your new provider uses the same network as your old one, or if you&rsquo;re switching to a completely new full fibre network.
While the OTS process was <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/simpler-broadband-switching-is-here/">announced by Ofcom</a> in late 2019, it did not become mandatory until September 2024. From this point, all you will have to do is alert your new provider &mdash; they will handle the process, and you can enjoy your new broadband services.
<h3>Options for switching broadband</h3>
There are two options to choose from if you are thinking of switching broadband providers:
<ul>
<li>
Classic switching between networks &mdash; this &lsquo;traditional&rsquo; method involves two-provider coordination involving you arranging cancellation and installation dates between both providers.
</li>
<li>
One Touch Switching, also known as one-touch switch, means you only need to discuss your switch and exchange personal details with your new broadband provider &mdash; they&rsquo;ll handle the rest.
</li>
</ul>
You will face early termination charges from your current provider, if you switch while still in your contract. However, some people find this cost is worth it if they&rsquo;re switching to a higher-quality broadband service &ndash; especially if that is cheaper!
 
<h2>What are the challenges around switching broadband?</h2>
Before the wider availability of One Touch Switching, <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/multi-sector/pay-tv-complaints/2024/switching-experience-tracker-2024---data-tables.pdf">20% of people considered switching their broadband</a> in 2024, only to delay or decide not to. This is because the process of switching could be drawn out and inconvenient, with roadblocks such as:
<ul>
<li>
Unknown cancellation fees &mdash; lack of clarity on exit fees can make it challenging to know if this cost is within a household's budget.
</li>
<li>
Downtime between services &mdash; this can range from hours to days or even weeks (in rare cases). Some providers can take weeks to get appointments set up, which just isn&rsquo;t feasible for many people - such as <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/working-from-home-broadband-speed">remote workers</a> who rely on a consistent at-home connection for their jobs. Community Fibre can install within 48 hours to keep the whole process as hassle-free as possible.
</li>
<li>
New installations &mdash; in some cases you may move to a new property where full fibre broadband has never been <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/installation-process-faqs">installed</a>. If that&rsquo;s the case, you&rsquo;ll need to arrange for your new provider to send an engineer out to you. Depending on how close your home is to their network, this can take some time to complete. We can install within hours if you&rsquo;re moving into a property with an existing Community Fibre connection.
</li>
<li>
Fear of the unknown &mdash; from being unsure if you&rsquo;re getting a better <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/deals">deal</a> to worrying that you&rsquo;ll receive lower speeds for your trouble, many worry that a new provider won&rsquo;t resolve their challenges &mdash; even if they aren&rsquo;t 100% happy with their current arrangement.
</li>
<li>
Incentives from your old provider to keep you &mdash; some broadband services will offer you incentives to stay, which can lead to multiple phone calls and long periods of re-evaluating if switching is really the best action for you.
</li>
</ul>
In the past, many of these factors have come together to stop people from switching to better deals or providers that suit their needs.
 
<h2>How does One Touch Switching work?</h2>
In simple terms, One Touch Switching works like this:
<ol>
<li>
You choose a new provider. This often involves researching bandwidth, plan pricing, download/upload speed, and connection type to make sure your new provider can meet your needs. Bandwidth is shared across all devices, so you&rsquo;ll need higher bandwidth capacity to keep up with the demand when there are lots of devices connected. Community Fibre&rsquo;s <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">broadband packages</a> offer speeds up to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/3-gigafast">3 Gbps</a> to meet the needs of everyone in your household.
</li>
<li>
You place an order with your new provider requesting OTS. They&rsquo;ll contact your old provider who will send you information to explain any early termination fees and other details you need to make an informed decision and officially begin your <a href="https://help.communityfibre.co.uk/signing-up/switching/what-is-switching-one-touch-switching">one-touch switch</a>. Share your details with your new provider to allow them to match up your details correctly and proceed with OTS. The surest way to get a match is to use the details as shown on your bill from your current provider. If they are unable to find a match, then you&rsquo;ll still be able to switch, but you&rsquo;ll have to use the old method!
</li>
<li>
Your new provider coordinates your switch. They will agree a start date with you, and then tell the old provider what the switchover date is. Unlike the old process, you don&rsquo;t need to contact your current provider.
</li>
<li>
Your new provider sets up your service. They will let your old provider know when this has been done. Once your old provider gets this notification, they will <a href="https://help.communityfibre.co.uk/signing-up/switching/what-is-the-cancellation-and-switching-process-arranged-by-community-fibre">cancel your contract</a> with them and send you a final bill for any outstanding charges or credit due. This ensures you don&rsquo;t experience any service downtime, as if the new provider has any problems getting you set up, the old provider can continue to provide service &mdash; so you can get through the switch seamlessly.
</li>
<li>
You can sit back and enjoy a seamless transition to the broadband of your choosing. In some cases, you won&rsquo;t even need to wait for an engineer to visit before your connection is live.
</li>
</ol>
 
<h2>The benefits of One Touch Switching</h2>
As you can already imagine, One Touch Switching provides a significant improvement on traditional methods of changing broadband. These benefits include:
<h3>Simplified broadband switching process</h3>
You don&rsquo;t have to act as a go-between caught in the middle of your old and new providers. This means no more lengthy calls and conversations trying to convince you to stay with your old provider, and a simpler experience overall.
<h3>Save time and enjoy your new broadband faster</h3>
With your new provider handling communications, service cancellations and setup, you&rsquo;re less likely to experience any errors or speedbumps along the way. This means a faster setup with no downtime compared to previous methods of switching, as well as fewer forms for you to fill out along the way.
<h3>Fewer issues overall &mdash; and automatic resolution</h3>
Not only does your new provider handle the switching process, but you&rsquo;ll also enjoy simplified problem resolution with One Touch Switching. Most switching-related technical or admin issues can be dealt with before you&rsquo;re even aware of them. At the very least, you won&rsquo;t be a liaison between providers, and your direct involvement won&rsquo;t be necessary. All you need to do is wait for your new provider to sort out any issues.
<h3>Better prices and services for you&nbsp;</h3>
With One Touch Switching becoming the new industry standard thanks to Ofcom, this means the pressure is on for providers to provide the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre">best possible switching experience</a> for you.
Ultimately, broadband customers can expect a better experience across the board, with more freedom of choice as the result of OTS.
 
<h2>One Touch Switching with Community Fibre</h2>
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">Community Fibre</a> makes switching hassle-free and risk-free, with some switches taking <a href="https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/10284-community-fibre-expecting-a-positive-impact-from-one-touch-switching">as little as 48 hours</a> to complete. With a commitment to OTS, you can expect continued excellence from your broadband connection when you <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre">choose us</a>.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">Explore Community Fibre&rsquo;s broadband packages</a> and discover unbeatable speeds at unbeatable prices.

We answer the question ‘what is one touch switching?’ (OTS) and show how it will change your experience of switching broadband providers. Read more.

One Touch Switching: Fast & Simple Broadband Changes

Switching broadband is now easier with One Touch Switching. Learn what OTS means for you.

One Touch Switching for broadband explained

Saturday, 7th December 2024, London, UK: Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western MP was joined this week by <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/">Community Fibre</a> Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Oxby, at Jobcentre Plus, Tower Hamlets to observe the full fibre Internet Service Provider&rsquo;s (ISP) digital skills training initiative, newly launched in collaboration with the Department for Workplace and Pensions (DWP).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Launched in July 2024, the London based full fibre broadband provider in partnership with DWP has rolled out free digital skills training sessions across JobCentre Plus sites to help equip attendees with the technical skills needed to navigate the digital landscape confidently.
&nbsp;
The scheme follows the ISP and DWP&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to providing free access to full fibre broadband for Londoners struggling to get online. In collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, those eligible for the service can receive 12 months of free full fibre broadband at speeds of 50 Mbps from Community Fibre. The offer is exclusively available across six Jobcentre Plus services within Woolwich, Peckham, Tower Hamlets, Harlesden, Barnsbury and Finsbury Park sites in London only.
 Greeted by Community Fibre&rsquo;s award-winning Digital Ambassador team of local volunteers, the Minister saw how the <a name="_Hlk183526470"></a>free digital resource and skills training are helping to enhance digital literacy to help participants get back into work. Commenting, Minister for Transformation Andrew Western said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen firsthand how brilliant initiatives like this are helping to close the digital divide &ndash; ensuring everyone has the skills they need to apply for jobs in this increasingly digital world. 
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a small part of this government&rsquo;s wider drive to get Britain working again and bring opportunity to every part of the country.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The ongoing partnership with DWP will play a vital role in helping eligible Londoners to get online and access new job opportunities and services, in a bid to bridge the digital divide. According to the ISP, 1-in-10 Londoners (11%) say they have missed out on job opportunities, or experienced disruption during virtual job interviews, because of an unreliable internet connection. In addition, 15% of Londoners report that they cannot access basic services such as GP appointments, online banking, or government services because of poor broadband connectivity.
&nbsp;
Discussing the wider partnership, Community Fibre Chief Executive Officer Graeme Oxby added: &ldquo;Our research has shown that two-thirds (69%) of Londoners view broadband in the same way they view their gas, water, and electricity services. To apply for new jobs, contact a GP or access government services, a reliable internet connection is key, as are digital skills, and we&rsquo;re proud to be working alongside the DWP and Jobcentre Plus to bring fibre broadband to those who need it most.&rdquo; &nbsp;
&nbsp;
End
&nbsp;
About Community Fibre
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/">Community Fibre</a> is London&rsquo;s best quality broadband, providing fast, affordable, sustainable connections for everyone. As of November 2023, it has passed 1.3 million homes across and around the capital, with more than 185,000 London-based businesses within 200 metres of Community Fibre&rsquo;s network footprint. Using the UK&rsquo;s best broadband technology, it is bringing Gigafast broadband at unbeatable speeds and prices to the capital, helping Londoners do more and be more. Community Fibre also operates in parts of Surry and Sussex under its own brand, where prior to May 2024 it was operating as Box Broadband.
&nbsp;
As the Best Internet Provider network on Trustpilot, commanding an &lsquo;Excellent&rsquo; rated service with more than 46,000 5-star reviews (November 2024), Community Fibre offers speeds of up to 3 Gbps for consumers &ndash; up to 43x faster than the UK average download speed and 163x faster than the UK average upload speed, as well as broadband packages of up to 10 Gbps for businesses.
&nbsp;
In March 2024, Community Fibre achieved the top ranking by Which? in its 2024 customer satisfaction survey, as well as the UK&rsquo;s #1 leading broadband provider by Broadband Savvy (August 2023). Community Fibre was awarded 2023&rsquo;s Best Alternative Network by Uswitch. In November 2024, Community Fibre was recognised at the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) Awards as the UK&rsquo;s Best Consumer ISP in its category for the fifth consecutive year.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
To enrol in digital skills training:
If you are a current claimant at Woolwich or Tower Hamlets JobCentre Plus, you can register your attendance for a Community Fibre Digital Skills training session by contacting your work coach. Please be aware that spaces are limited and are only available on a first come, first served basis.
&nbsp;
Community Fibre is passionate about giving back to local communities. It has connected more than 650 community spaces with a free 1 Gbps full fibre connection; it provides free digital skills training for residents and supports community-led initiatives through sponsorship. To find out more about how Community Fibre empowers local communities through digital inclusion, you can read more at&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect">communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect</a>.
&nbsp;
For those who may be struggling to get online, Community Fibre also offers its own social broadband tariff at &pound;12.50/month. These discounted broadband deals are usually available for people on Universal Credit and other benefits. However, unlike most other providers, Community Fibre does not ask for proof of income support or government benefits &ndash; making it one of the most accessible and affordable social broadband tariffs on the market. More information about its Essential 35 Mbps social tariff can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps">https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps</a>.
&nbsp;
How the free connection scheme works
From 29th April 2024, London-based Jobcentre Plus agents can signpost those within its service who may be eligible to receive free Community Fibre broadband for 12-months. Up to 1,000 12-month Community Fibre connections are available.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Eligibility criteria is at the discretion of Community Fibre, however DWP will only confirm entitlement to:&nbsp;
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 30px;">Income based Jobseekers Allowance&nbsp;</li>
<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 30px;">Income based Employment Support Allowance&nbsp;</li>
<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 30px;">Pension Credit&nbsp;</li>
<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 30px;">Income Support&nbsp;</li>
<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 30px;">Universal Credit&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Once Community Fibre confirms a person&rsquo;s eligibility, those nominated will then receive a letter from the provider to confirm or reserve its offer. Participants must call Community Fibre within four weeks of the date of the letter on 0808 196 6262.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Once confirmed, participants will then need to provide details to Community Fibre to set them up as a customer and book an installation date. Community Fibre will also require the name, contact, and direct debit details of the participant to confirm the installation. The direct debit bank details provided will not be used, and no payment will be taken during the direction of the 12-month free period. 
&nbsp;
Where is the scheme taking place?&nbsp;
The scheme is available to those currently in Jobcentre Plus services within Woolwich, Peckham, Tower Hamlets, Harlesden, Barnsbury, Finsbury Park, Streatham and Hoxton sites in London only.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Can participants cancel at any time during the free period?&nbsp;
Yes. Those who wish to cancel their contract during the 12-month free period must provide Community Fibre with 30 days&rsquo; notice by calling its Cancellation team on 020 3892 6005.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
What happens at the end of the free period?&nbsp;
Participants will receive an email notification from Community Fibre between 30 to 60 days before the 12-month free contract comes to an end. 
&nbsp;
The option to continue with Community Fibre on a paid contract will be given. Those who choose to discontinue their Community Fibre service must return the router provided at installation. Failure to return the router will incur a bill charge of &pound;160 to cover the cost of the replacement router. 
&nbsp;

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western MP was joined by Community Fibre CEO, Graeme Oxby, at Jobcentre Plus, Tower Hamlets

Minister for Transformation meets with Community Fibre

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western MP was joined this week by Community Fibre Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Oxby, at Jobcentre Plus, Tower Hamlets to observe the full fibre Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) digital skills training initiative, newly launched in collaboration with the Department for Workplace and Pensions (DWP).

Minister for Transformation observes digital skills training at Jobcentre Plus, Tower Hamlets

UK, London,  Thursday 24th October 2024: <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Community Fibre</a>, the UK&rsquo;s top ranked Broadband provider according to the UK&rsquo;s consumer champion Which? and the Internet Service Providers&rsquo; Association (ISPA), has today announced that it has signed a new finance facility provided and/or arranged by JP Morgan, Barclays, LBBW, SIMCo (Sequoia Investment Management Company) and Alpha Bank raising a total of &pound;125m, overachieving planned targets and bringing total investment in the company to &pound;1.1bn.
The company also announced it has been EBITDA positive since April 2024, news which was warmly welcomed by existing shareholders Warburg Pincus LLC, DTCP, Railpen and NDIF, and its lenders.&nbsp;
Community Fibre builds, operates, and owns its 100% full fibre network making available the most advanced technology with the fastest speeds to&nbsp;1.3m homes and businesses across London. Community Fibre has connected more than 310,000 residents and businesses across the capital and has seen an 85% increase in its customer base in the past 12 months as more people look to alternative networks (Altnets) for faster, more affordable 100% full fibre broadband along with better service. &nbsp;Businesses include Nando&rsquo;s and London Grid for Learning (LGFL). It has also signed multiple wholesale agreements with major UK internet service providers, making it the only London-based Altnet to do so.
Graeme Oxby, CEO of Community Fibre said&nbsp;&ldquo;Community Fibre has been and will continue to be highly focussed on delivering the best customer experience and the best value for money in the market. Our success here, growing from just 10k customers at the start of 2020 to over 310k in less than 5 years, has driven a strong lender appetite. We and our financial backers are aligned on driving acquisition growth and confident in overachieving our penetration targets.&rdquo;
Olaf Swantee, Chairman of Community Fibre added: &ldquo;The lenders and our shareholders share the view that Community Fibre&rsquo;s momentum will further strengthen its position as the best and largest full fibre only provider in London and is a vote of confidence in its strong management team and their ability to commercialise the large London network.&rdquo;&nbsp;
End
Contact
For more information, please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:press@communityfibre.co.uk">press@communityfibre.co.uk</a> for all media enquiries.
About Community Fibre
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/">Community Fibre</a> is London&rsquo;s best quality broadband, providing fast, affordable, sustainable connections for everyone. As of November 2023, it has passed 1.3 million homes across and around the capital, with more than 185,000 London-based businesses within 200 metres of Community Fibre&rsquo;s network footprint. Using the UK&rsquo;s best broadband technology, it is bringing Gigafast broadband at unbeatable speeds and prices to the capital, helping Londoners do more and be more. Community Fibre also operates in parts of Surry and Sussex under its own brand, where prior to May 2024 it was operating as Box Broadband.
As the Best Internet Provider network on Trustpilot, commanding an &lsquo;Excellent&rsquo; rated service with more than 41,000 5-star reviews (August 2024), Community Fibre offers speeds of up to 3 Gbps for consumers &ndash; up to 43x faster than the UK average download speed and 163x faster than the UK average upload speed, as well as broadband packages of up to 10 Gbps for businesses.
In March 2024, Community Fibre achieved the top ranking by Which? in its 2024 customer satisfaction survey, as well as the UK&rsquo;s #1 leading broadband provider by Broadband Savvy (August 2023). Community Fibre was awarded 2023&rsquo;s Best Alternative Network by Uswitch. In November 2023, Community Fibre was recognised at the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) Awards as the UK&rsquo;s Best Consumer <a name="_Int_nDsYtFef"></a>ISP in its category for the fourth consecutive year and Best Business ISP for the second year in a row.&nbsp;

Community Fibre today announced that it has signed a new finance facility raising a total of £125m

Community Fibre secures additional new funding

Community Fibre today announced that it has signed a new finance facility provided and/or arranged by JP Morgan, Barclays, LBBW, SIMCo (Sequoia Investment Management Company) and Alpha Bank raising a total of £125m, overachieving planned targets and bringing total investment in the company to £1.1bn.

London’s largest 100% full fibre only broadband provider Community Fibre secures additional £125m

<h2>What is the best upload speed for live-streaming games?</h2>
Most of us engage with videos from content creators who post on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms. These videos often reach audiences days or weeks after being filmed, and in an edited format.
Live streaming offers content creators the opportunity to put themselves in front of their fans and engage with their responses in real time. Live streams of games are incredibly popular, and you as the creator can even ask the audience questions or get them to help you make decisions. Instantaneous engagement can help professional and aspiring online streamers grow their image and reach new audiences.
Fast and reliable <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speed">broadband speed</a> is an essential part of a successful stream, whether you stream your games to show your skills to friends, or broadcast popular games to the world. Your broadband connection can be the difference between keeping and losing your audience. Viewership can decline if your stream keeps pausing, lagging, or cutting out.
But how can you make sure your broadband can support gaming and live streaming at the same time? Whether you&rsquo;re debuting a newly released game, or collaborating with another streamer on a <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/the-9-most-anticipated-multiplayer-games-for-2023">multiplayer game</a>, it ultimately comes down to the upload speed delivered by your broadband.&nbsp;
 
<h2>What is upload speed?</h2>
When live streaming content, you are transmitting data from your network &mdash; this is where upload speed comes into play. Upload speed refers to how many bits of data your device can send to the internet per second. You&rsquo;ll often see this data referred to as &lsquo;bitrate&rsquo; or &lsquo;Mbps&rsquo;.
Download speed is the opposite, where data is transferred to your device from the internet. An example of this would be loading a new game.&nbsp;
Advertised <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-speeds-guide">broadband speeds</a> are not a guaranteed indicator of how fast your upload and download speeds will be. The advertised Mbps or Gbps refers to your speeds over a wired connection, over an Ethernet cable.&nbsp;
Many providers deliver a much slower upload speed compared to download speeds over WiFi &mdash; which leads to your broadband playing catch up with itself. This is less than ideal for content creators who rely on fast uploads to stream videos directly to all their viewers, possibly while playing an online game at the same time.&nbsp;
Community Fibre <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">broadband packages</a> guarantee symmetrical speeds, so you can stream in the highest quality while maintaining a reliable connection.
 
<h2>Live streaming on different platforms</h2>
Whatever platform you choose, the ideal upload speed will depend on the frame rate and resolution you want to stream in for the best quality.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Frame rate - how many images (or frames) can be shown within one second. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the visuals appear. Frame rate is measured in frames-per-second (fps). To give you an idea of how frame rates differ depending on content type, video games are often 60 fps while movies and shows on TV are usually 30 fps.
</li>
<li>
Resolution - how many pixels are within each frame. The more pixels, the more details can be seen. You might see this displayed as (p), such as 720p, which means 720 pixels will be within each frame.
</li>
</ul>
As a general guide, having an additional 5 Mbps of speed acts as a contingency during speed fluctuations. With this in mind, let&rsquo;s take a look at the minimum upload speed suggestions for popular streaming platforms:
<h3>Streaming on Twitch</h3>
Twitch is an absolute must for anyone who wants to get serious about streaming games.
When you stream gameplay on Twitch, you&rsquo;ll likely use a PC or laptop for your regular streams. These devices will allow you to make use of a wired connection, so definitely get hold of an Ethernet cable if you don't have one already to optimise your bitrate.&nbsp;
You can also use your phone to stream on Twitch, ideal for giving your viewers a quick on-the-go update.
Your viewers will appreciate good quality video. Ideally, you should stream in HD, which uses a resolution of 1080p and 60 fps. This quality requires a minimum of 6 Mbps per second &mdash; if we take our 5 Mbps of extra speed in case of fluctuations into account, this brings our optimum upload speed to 11 Mbps.&nbsp;
See the minimum upload speeds from Twitch:
1080p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 6 Mbps
1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 4.5 Mbps
720p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 4.5 Mbps
720p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 3 Mbps
Refer to Twitch&rsquo;s broadcasting guidelines for full details on <a href="https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/broadcasting-guidelines?language=en_US">video and audio quality</a>. Twitch&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/creatorcamp/en/paths/going-live/">Creator Camp</a> has a lot of resources to help you get set up for streaming, so be sure to check it out to make sure you have all your bases covered.
<h3>Streaming on YouTube Live</h3>
Live streaming on YouTube is possible at pretty much any quality, thanks to clever transcoding that optimises the viewer&rsquo;s experience automatically.&nbsp;
YouTube helpfully provides recommendations for a broad range of video quality levels &mdash; though it may be best to aim for around 1080 (60 fps) as this will provide the best balance for your audience and your broadband.&nbsp;
Streaming in this HD quality will require a minimum upload of 4 Mbps. Adding our 5 Mbps contingency, this brings the optimal speed to 9 Mbps.
See the minimum upload speeds from YouTube Live:
<ul>
<li>2160p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 10 Mbps</li>
<li>2160p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 8 Mbps</li>
<li>1440p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 6 Mbps</li>
<li>1440p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 5 Mbps</li>
<li>1080p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 4 Mbps</li>
<li>1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 3 Mbps</li>
<li>720p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 3 Mbps</li>
<li>720p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 3 Mbps</li>
</ul>
<div align="center"></div>
Refer to&nbsp;<a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853702?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=9257892&amp;sjid=12372752253270642364-EU">YouTube&rsquo;s guidelines</a> for detailed information on live streaming from any device.
<h3>Streaming on Facebook Live</h3>
Facebook Live streams tend to be slightly lower quality than other streaming platforms, but if you aim for around 1080p and 60 fps, this should be similar to quality delivered elsewhere. To achieve this quality, you&rsquo;ll need a minimum upload speed of 4.5 Mbps.&nbsp;
If we add 5 Mbps to allow for any speed challenges, this brings it up to 9.5 Mbps &mdash; similar to YouTube Live.
See the minimum upload speeds from Facebook Live:
<ul>
<li>1080p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 4.5 Mbps</li>
<li>1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: 3 Mbps</li>
<li>720p resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps Minimum upload speed: 2.5 Mbps</li>
<li>720p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: &nbsp;&gt; 1 Mbps</li>
<li>480p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps Minimum upload speed: &gt; 1 Mbps</li>
<li>360p resolution Minimum upload speed: &gt; 1 Mbps</li>
</ul>
<div align="center"></div>
Refer to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/help/162540111070395?id=1123223941353904">Facebook&rsquo;s guidelines</a> to see their full technical requirements for live streaming, in addition to content requirements and policies.
<h3>Streaming on TikTok Live</h3>
TikTok doesn&rsquo;t have any specific minimum upload speed recommendations for live videos. However, your TikTok Live streams will likely be from a smartphone or a tablet rather than a PC or laptop.
&nbsp;It&rsquo;s safe to assume that if your broadband speed is enough for live streaming your games from a computer, it should have no trouble handling your mobile updates, which will be much shorter and less intense.&nbsp;
 
<h2>How can I improve my live stream quality?</h2>
Don&rsquo;t settle for poor quality. There&rsquo;s a lot you can check, optimise, and test to find the best setup for your streams. Try some of our tips:
<h3>Test your current speeds</h3>
Check your upload speeds before attempting live streaming to avoid any video disasters. A simple online <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest">speed test tool</a> will let you know your upload and download speed, as well as <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-ping-jitter-and-latency-affect-your-gaming-experience">ping and jitter</a>, which could affect your overall gaming experience.
<h3>Choose a wired Ethernet connection</h3>
Upload and download speeds are much faster over a wired connection. When streaming your content, consider using an Ethernet cable for a more reliable connection with guaranteed speeds.
&nbsp;Plug an Ethernet cable into the back of your WiFi router, and simply plug it into your PC or laptop. Most PCs should have this port available, though newer laptops might not &mdash; but you can easily get an adapter to enable this connection.
<h3>Reduce the pressure on your bandwidth</h3>
Your broadband speed is spread across all connected devices in your household &mdash; this is called bandwidth. While streaming, it would be beneficial to disconnect unused devices from the WiFi network so your streaming device can get a bigger portion of the bandwidth available.
<h3>Keep software and hardware updated</h3>
Your computer and devices should be able to cope with running high-quality video and fast-paced games, in addition to streaming. These are quite heavy demands, so it&rsquo;s important to keep software updated.
Your PC and laptop should also be able to run the latest software. If you haven&rsquo;t had a new computer since dial up internet was around, it&rsquo;s definitely time to get an upgrade!&nbsp;
<h3>Try a cloud-based streaming service</h3>
Consider utilising a multistreaming cloud based services, such as Restream and Streamlab. Multistreaming platforms reduce the pressure on your bandwidth and CPU, which is ideal if your broadband is struggling to keep up with your rapid gameplay.&nbsp;
Additionally, these services allow you to broadcast your streams onto several platforms at once. Instead of choosing one primary platform to be live on, or doing several streams across different platforms, you can stream onto multiple platforms at the same time. Reaching new and existing audiences in this way could really be a gamechanger for anyone serious about making a name for themselves through streaming games.
<h3>Switch to a more reliable provider</h3>
If your current broadband just can&rsquo;t support your streaming dream, it could be time to switch to a new provider that values reliability and speed.
For streamers based in London, Surrey or Sussex, we offer fast and reliable broadband at unbeatable prices. Our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-full-fibre-is-best">full fibre broadband</a> delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds, 99.9% uptime, and no slowdown periods to keep your live streams up and running.&nbsp;
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">Explore broadband packages</a>

Content creators need reliable and fast broadband to stream live feeds to viewers. Learn the ideal speeds to keep video streams lag-free on all platforms.

Best Internet Speed for Live Streaming Games

Content creators need reliable internet to stream their videos live to their audiences and build real-time connections. Learn what speed is best to keep your streams smooth.

Broadband for streamers

<h2>Broadband for renters: Tenant and landlord guide</h2>
Whether you're a new renter, part of a family, a single person, or sharing a home, getting the right internet connection can enhance your experience.&nbsp;
In this guide, we'll help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and options when it comes to broadband as a tenant &mdash; or as a landlord.
 
<h2>Is it my landlord&rsquo;s responsibility to provide broadband?</h2>
Landlords are not legally obliged to provide broadband, though some do include it in the rent. This is most common in professional house shares that may benefit from <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/premium-wifi" rel="follow">Premium WiFi</a>.
Tenants and landlords should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when it comes to setting up broadband in a rented flat or other type of property:
<h3>Landlord responsibilities</h3>
Landlords are typically responsible for:
<ul>
<li>
Access to existing services: Landlords must ensure tenants can access existing utilities, like broadband, but are not obligated to install a new broadband connection.
</li>
<li>
Transparency: Landlords need to provide information about any broadband contracts that are currently in place &mdash; and the terms associated with them.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tenant responsibilities</h3>
&nbsp;As a tenant, you are generally responsible for:
<ul>
<li>
Payment: Tenants are responsible for paying the broadband bills unless their tenancy agreement specifies otherwise.
</li>
<li>
Fair use: Tenants need to use the internet responsibly and consider the needs of others who may be sharing the property&rsquo;s broadband.
</li>
</ul>
As a renter, you&rsquo;ll need to get permission from the landlord if you want to install a fibre line. Not all broadband requires an installation &mdash; so permission may not be necessary if a connection is already available.
If you&rsquo;ve <a href="https://help.communityfibre.co.uk/signing-up/residential-customers/i-just-moved-in-and-theres-community-fibre-equipment-in-my-home.-what-are-my-options">just moved in</a> and there&rsquo;s Community Fibre equipment in place, we can get you set up without an installation &mdash; simply start a new web chat with us and we&rsquo;ll get started.
 
<h2>Choosing the best broadband in a rented property</h2>
The best broadband for renters depends on the type of renter you are and your needs:
<h3>New renters</h3>
Check with the landlord or lettings company about the availability of broadband in the area before signing a tenancy agreement. You should consider broadband availability as a factor when choosing your rental property &mdash; the same as you would with other services.
<h3>Families</h3>
Families often require a higher-speed, more reliable broadband connection due to multiple devices and simultaneous usage. Look for plans with enough bandwidth to support everyone's needs. Learn more about the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-for-large-families">best broadband for large families</a>.
<h3>Single-person households</h3>
Single renters may be fine with lower-speed residential packages, but they should still consider the provider&rsquo;s reliability and customer service in case of any issues &mdash; especially when working from home. Learn more about the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-for-one-person">best broadband for one person</a>.
<h3>House shares</h3>
It's crucial to discuss broadband arrangements with the other occupants in a house share, like a student flat. Decide on the package, the provider, and how the bills will be split. This can avoid conflicts in the future. Learn about the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-find-the-best-student-broadband-packages">best broadband for students</a>.
<h2>Finding the best deals</h2>
To find the best broadband, whatever type of renter you are, ask yourself the following:
<ul>
<li>
What speed can my household get?: Speeds in rural areas are slower than in cities like London, where we offer the fastest <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speed">speeds in the capital</a>. Household demands will also affect how fast your broadband feels. You can <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speed">check your speed</a> with our free tool.
</li>
<li>
What if there are lots of people in the household?: More people in a home, just visiting, living there, or otherwise using the network, increases your broadband demands. Think about how many people will be using the network, and how often.
</li>
<li>
How can I get the best price?: Costs vary depending on a variety of factors, such as speed or contract length, but you can always get the best price by assessing the cost/need balance. See <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/deals">our deals</a> for unbeatable full fibre prices in the London area.
</li>
</ul>
Take a look at our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband">comparison chart</a> for more detail on how we stack up against other providers in the UK in terms of speed, service, and prices.
Compare broadband deals for renters
In conclusion, finding the right broadband can enhance your quality of life as a renter. Understand your position, communicate with your landlord, and choose the right plan.
When searching for the best broadband as a renter, think about the following:
<ul>
<li>
Speed: Choose speeds that match your household needs. Faster speeds are essential for households with many users or devices.
</li>
<li>
Reliability: Look for providers with a good reputation for consistent service. For example, our network is up 99.9% of the time.
</li>
<li>
Contracts: Look for shorter-term contracts, easy cancellations, and <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">simple switch</a> providers. This way broadband is one less hassle when it&rsquo;s time to move.
</li>
<li>
Customer service: Check independent reviews to find providers known for excellent customer service. <a href="https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/communityfibre.co.uk">Trustpilot</a> is an excellent source of unbiased ratings.
</li>
<li>
Price: Stick to a budget by choosing a broadband package that aligns with your financial situation.
</li>
</ul>
Doing so lets you enjoy a reliable internet connection while renting your property.
If you live in London, Surrey or Sussex? See this <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband">comparison table</a> for a quick breakdown of how our service performs in all the above areas.
Remember, the best broadband for you depends on your unique circumstances and preferences.&nbsp;
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">Check your postcode</a> to see if the fastest speeds at unbeatable prices are available in your area.
 
<h2>FAQs about broadband for renters</h2>
<hr>
<h3>Can my landlord force me to use a specific broadband provider?</h3>
Generally, no. You have the right to choose your broadband provider, but if a broadband connection is already established in the property and offered as part of the rental agreement,&nbsp; it may be more convenient to use the existing service.
<hr>
<h3>Can I install my broadband connection in a rental property?</h3>
It depends on your agreement and the landlord's policies. Some landlords may allow you to install a connection at your expense, while others may not permit it.
<hr>
<h3>Can I take my broadband with me when I move?</h3>
Yes. If Community Fibre is available at the new address, you can still <a href="https://help.communityfibre.co.uk/managing-my-account/account-holder-changes/i-am-moving-out-what-are-my-options">use our service when you move</a> home. Use our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">postcode checker</a> to make sure we&rsquo;re available in your new place.
<hr>
<h3>Do I need permission from my landlord to set up broadband?</h3>
It's advisable to seek permission from your landlord before setting up your broadband, especially if it requires any installation work or changes and adjustments to the property&rsquo;s existing utilities.
<hr>
<h3>How can I find the best broadband deals when renting?</h3>
You can use broadband comparison websites to explore available options, or contact providers directly. When you&rsquo;re doing your research by yourself, compare speeds, prices, and contract terms to find the best package for your needs.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband">Compare us</a> to providers in London.&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>What can I do if my landlord refuses to address broadband issues?</h3>
If your landlord is offering broadband but it&rsquo;s not working properly, you&rsquo;ll need to document the issues, communicate with your landlord in writing, and check local tenant laws. If the issues persist, you may need to contact your local housing authority too.
<hr>

Renting a property comes with its own set of joys and challenges, including the quest for reliable broadband. Learn more about broadband for renters.

What’s the Best Broadband for Renters?

Renting a property comes with its own set of joys and challenges, including the quest for reliable broadband. Learn more about broadband for renters with our tenant and landlord guide.

Broadband for renters

<h2>Increasing your PC computer download speed</h2>
Whether you&rsquo;re working from home and need to review a long report or want to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-speed-up-steam-downloads">download a new game on Steam</a> and enjoy a gaming session, it&rsquo;s reasonable to expect large downloads to be complete after making a cup of tea at the very least.&nbsp;
If you return to your desk and find your PC is still processing the download, there&rsquo;s no need to admit defeat and accept the same download speeds we saw in the early 2000s.&nbsp;
Our guide covers some of the main causes of slow download speeds and provides some tips to try and correct the issue and get you back to work &mdash; or play.
 
<h2>Four factors that can affect your download speed</h2>
There are several reasons why your download speed is slower than you expect, from the number of people in your house to the broadband package itself.&nbsp;
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest">Test your speed</a>
We&rsquo;ve outlined a few of the common culprits below:
<h3>PC health and age</h3>
Older PCs with an outdated operating system might find it hard to keep up with advanced software. Unfortunately, old PCs can&rsquo;t be taught new tricks and could be stopping you from experiencing the full benefits of your newest game.&nbsp;
Viruses and malware use up a lot of data. If you&rsquo;re seeing a significant slowdown in speed, despite your activities being unchanged, it could suggest something malicious working in the background of your PC and slowing down performance.&nbsp;
Having lots of programs and apps open puts unnecessary pressure on your CPU, and makes it work extra hard to keep up with the demands of each.
<h3>Number of connected devices</h3>
Your internet speed is shared across all devices &mdash; this is referred to as bandwidth.&nbsp;
The more devices connected to your home network, the more your bandwidth is stretched and less speed will be available to your PC. This includes smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and even smart appliances.&nbsp;
If there are several people in your household, they may have a few devices of their own. While there is no limit on the number of devices that can be connected, your bandwidth can only go so far.
<h3>Type of connection</h3>
Connecting to your broadband with a wired connection delivers much faster upload and download speeds. If you&rsquo;re connected through WiFi, this will result in slower speeds.
Perhaps your PC is in a different room to your WiFi router &mdash; possibly with several floors between you <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/what-materials-can-block-a-wifi-signal">blocking your WiFi signa</a>l. These physical barriers can&rsquo;t be torn down obviously, but there are ways to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-boost-wifi-signal-through-walls">boost your signal</a> in your home.&nbsp;
The combination of using WiFi when you are also physically far away from your router is doubly challenging for speed &mdash; a very common challenge that could be avoided with reliable technology such as <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/what-is-mesh-wifi-and-how-does-it-work">Mesh WiFi</a>.
<h3>Internet service provider</h3>
The broadband service itself could be a challenge. Some providers may be delivering poor connections over old copper cable connections &mdash; some of which were laid over 100 years ago!&nbsp;
Full fibre broadband is much faster and more reliable and is available to millions of homes. There&rsquo;s still a long way to go to roll out full fibre to every property, especially in rural areas. But, if your broadband is still using copper, it&rsquo;s worth reaching out to your provider about upgrading.&nbsp;
Your broadband package could also be holding you back. Some plans come with a data limit, which could be slowing you down to prevent you from going over your allowance. Or possibly, the speed of your plan simply isn&rsquo;t enough to keep up with the demands of your entire household.
 
<h2>Four ways to increase your download speed on PC</h2>
Now that we&rsquo;ve looked into some of the reasons your download speed is slower than you need, let&rsquo;s see what you can do to improve it. Here are our tips:
<h3>1. Optimise your PC</h3>
Sometimes simply turning your PC off and on again will do the trick. A restart will close down any background programs that you may have forgotten about but could have slowed down your PC performance.&nbsp;
Keeping your apps, programs, and operating system up to date will allow your PC to perform at its best and run everything more smoothly. So if you&rsquo;re consistently dismissing the update notifications, it could be time to get everything up to their current versions.
Top off your PC health by installing antivirus software and taking other security measures to protect your device from unauthorised downloads.&nbsp;
<h3>2. Disconnect unnecessary devices</h3>
Reduce pressure on your bandwidth by temporarily disconnecting your smartphone from the WiFi while you complete a large download.&nbsp;
Look around your house for any unnecessary excessive use of your broadband. Perhaps someone in your house is letting Netflix autoplay episodes of Friends (again), but they&rsquo;re actually watching a YouTube video on their phone instead of watching the TV.
If your download speed is only sufficient when nothing else is connected, this is bound to be frustrating for anyone else who also needs to use the internet at the same time. Consider reviewing your overall broadband plan and upgrading to a faster package to find a speed that suits your household.
<h3>3. Boost your connection</h3>
Try connecting to your broadband network with an Ethernet cable to eliminate any speed being lost over WiFi.&nbsp;
Ethernet cables need to be plugged into your router and your PC, which could be a challenge if they are in different rooms without a pre-existing port on the wall. However, PCs are stationary by design. Once you&rsquo;re happy with your computer setup, you can arrange to get a port installed or run a cable between rooms.
Your signal can be improved with Mesh WiFi technology, which is more reliable and secure than typical WiFi extenders. Community Fibre uses Mesh technology to guarantee <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/premium-wifi">Premium WiFi</a> for our customers, guaranteeing a signal in the rooms&nbsp;that matter most (12 rooms in total with up to five bedrooms across a maximum of three floors).&nbsp;<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}">&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>4. Find the best broadband to increase your download speed</h3>
If your current provider is unable to offer full fibre to you or your plan is limiting your online activities, consider <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">switching</a> to a competitor who can offer you the package you need. Look for a provider which can guarantee <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-full-fibre-is-best">full fibre broadband</a> for the fastest and most reliable connection.&nbsp;
Community Fibre delivers 100% full fibre broadband to London, Surrey and Sussex-based customers with <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre">unbeatable speeds</a> and outstanding value. We provide symmetrical upload and download speeds so you can expect a consistent and smooth experience, whether you rely on the internet for work or simply want to enjoy the latest online games.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband">Compare us to competitors</a>
 
<h2>Download speed FAQs</h2>
<hr>
<h3>Why is my download speed slow even though I have fast internet?</h3>
The speed you see advertised for broadband packages is usually indicative of speeds over a wired connection. Most of us connect to our broadband over WiFi, which delivers slower upload and download speeds.
Run an <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest">online speed test</a> to see the speeds your broadband is providing, and try some of the tips in our guide above to resolve the slow speeds.
<hr>
<h3>What is a good download speed?</h3>
A download speed of around 10 Mbps should be enough to support moderate internet usage, such as streaming movies. You&rsquo;ll benefit from faster speeds for gaming, especially if you often play online.
<hr>

Waiting hours to download games, movies, and files is so 2000s. Learn how to improve download speeds on your PC over WiFi and wired connections.

How to Increase Download Speed on PC

Struggling to quickly download files and games on your PC? Read our guide to find out the causes of slow downloads and how to improve your speed.

How to increase your download speed on PC

<h2>Broadband for remote work: What speed do you need for working from home?</h2>
Working from home offers greater flexibility, and has established itself as a regular practice in the last few years. But to do your job at home, you need an internet connection that you can trust to provide sufficient speed and reliability.&nbsp;
This guide will cover what you need to consider when selecting the right speeds to support your home working requirements, from upload and download speeds &mdash; to coverage in every room.
 
<h2>What are the requirements for working from home?</h2>
More and more jobs can be done remotely these days, such as graphic design and development, logistics management, and even sales. At a minimum, anyone working from home needs a desk or a table, and a supportive chair for all-day comfort.&nbsp;
The ideal home office setup for you will depend on what you do for a living and the complexities of your role. If you manage large data sheets or need to use several tabs at once, multiple monitors and a large desk are going to help you achieve this full view.
A wireless keyboard and mouse with wrist support is a good idea for anyone who spends much of their workday typing up reports, emails, or writing blogs. Your workplace should aid home working by providing you with all the equipment you need.&nbsp;
The one essential thing every remote worker needs is a reliable and fast internet connection. Whether you need to access live databases, present via video call, or send large files, you&rsquo;ll want to get your job done without broadband disruptions.
Fibre broadband is the best connection type to ensure your internet can support home working.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">Check availability in your area</a>
 
<h2>What broadband speed do I need to work from home?</h2>
The minimum speed for remote working will be different for everyone, depending on your job and the online activities required to complete your role.&nbsp;
At the absolute minimum, a broadband speed of 25 Mbps should be able to support lighter tasks such as emails and working on a small report.&nbsp;
However, more bandwidth is essential for uploading and downloading large files, video calls, and other demanding tasks, which could see 25 Mbps struggling to keep up.

<h3>Remote work applications and activities&nbsp;</h3>
Take a look at how you use the internet throughout a regular workday at home to find out what speed will be the most suitable for you.&nbsp;
Do you screen share a presentation over a Zoom video call? Do you send reports, images, and other large files through WeTransfer regularly?&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s important to consider upload and download speeds too, as not all providers offer symmetrical connections.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s use video calling as an example of how upload and download speeds differ:
<ul>
<li>
Upload - this speed controls how well you can see other people&rsquo;s incoming video feeds.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Download - this speed controls how well your video is seen by others, as well as anything you might be screen sharing.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<h4>Recommended upload and download speeds for common work applications:</h4>
Google Meet
<ul>
<li>Type: Video and audio</li>
<li>Recommended upload speed:&nbsp;3.2 Mbps</li>
<li>Recommended download speed:&nbsp;3.2 Mbps</li>
</ul>
Zoom
<ul>
<li>Type: Video and audio</li>
<li>Recommended upload speed: 3 Mbps</li>
<li>Recommended download speed:&nbsp;25 Mbps</li>
</ul>
WeTransfer
<ul>
<li>Type: File sharing</li>
<li>Recommended upload speed: 5 Mbps</li>
<li>Recommended download speed: 5 Mbps</li>
</ul>
Slack
<ul>
<li>Type: Messaging</li>
<li>Recommended upload speed: 1 Mbps</li>
<li>Recommended download speed: 1 Mbps</li>
</ul>
<div align="center"></div>
Your exact requirements could be impacted by factors such as the number of call participants, video resolution, and file size &mdash; so take the above information as a general guideline.
You might also have other people in the house, who have their own devices connected online. Your speed will be spread across various activities simultaneously, and suddenly a speed of 25 Mbps isn&rsquo;t enough anymore.
So how can you determine what speed is best for your remote job? The main concerns are the type of activities your job requires and whether there are people and devices in your household who will also need to use the internet while you are working.

<h3>Is 35 Mbps good for working from home?</h3>
If you live alone &mdash; or are the only person home during the day &mdash; and your job is mostly light online work, then <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps">35 Mbps</a> might work for you. This small package is fast enough to keep you connected to your team through video calls and share files with your colleagues throughout the work day.
Be aware that if you have other devices using your broadband connection, then this will reduce the speed your laptop or PC can use. So if you have a work computer and a work phone both eating into your bandwidth, you might experience some delays.
Additionally, if you have family members or friends who come home in the evenings, then 35 Mbps will be stretched across even more devices. So, while it could be enough for your workday, it might not be enough for everyone&rsquo;s needs when work is over.

<h3>Is 150 Mbps good for working from home?</h3>
Speeds of <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages#postcode-search-modal:~:text=Check%20Availability-,150%20Mbps%20%2B%20Calls%20(24%20months),-%C2%A325">150 Gbps</a> can cope with the demands of moderate online activities. If you&rsquo;re working with large files, online databases, and videos, 150 Gbps could be the one for you.&nbsp;
Even if there are two of you working from home at the same time, you should both be able to carry out your duties without causing disruptions to each other.&nbsp;

<h3>Is 1 Gbps good for working from home?</h3>
Remote workers with high-internet work activities and other household members will benefit from the generous bandwidth provided by <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/speed-guide-1-gbps">1 Gbps</a> speeds.
If you want to join a video call, but someone else is home from school or work and wants to stream a movie at the same time, this won&rsquo;t be an issue at all. 1 Gbps can manage the requirements of several devices at once without annoying connection disruptions.
Our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">1 Gbps package</a> is ideal for households with heavy internet use. Need to send designs over fast? No problem &mdash; downloading and uploading large files is quick and painless. It can also handle back-to-back video calls without compromising on visual quality.&nbsp;
Plus, our 1 Gbps speed is available with <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/premium-wifi">Premium WiFi</a> to guarantee whole home coverage.


 
<h2>What kind of broadband coverage do I need for working from home?</h2>
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-full-fibre-is-best">Full fibre broadband</a> offers the most reliable connection and fastest speeds for home working, with the top speeds always given over a wired connection. But this isn&rsquo;t always possible if your access points are in an inconvenient place, such as by your front door &mdash; which probably wouldn&rsquo;t be very practical to set up your workspace.&nbsp;
A high-quality <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/superior-wifi">WiFi router</a> should be equipped to give you the connection you need at your desk. Some homes experience bad coverage in certain areas due to layout, house size, and thick walls. WiFi extenders are offered by some providers to correct this issue &mdash; though the encryption on these devices poses potential security risks.&nbsp;
Community Fibre&rsquo;s <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/premium-wifi">Premium WiFi</a> uses innovative <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/what-is-mesh-wifi-and-how-does-it-work">Mesh WiFi</a> technology to guarantee coverage in the rooms&nbsp;that matter most (12 rooms in total with up to five bedrooms across a maximum of three floors). So your home office will be fully covered with a fast and reliable connection.
 
<h2>Best internet provider for working from home</h2>
The best provider for your home will depend on availability in your area, so be sure to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband">compare</a> prices and speeds to find the best option for your needs.
London, Surrey and Sussex-based customers can benefit from Community Fibre&rsquo;s reliable full fibre broadband at unbeatable prices. <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">Check your postcode</a> to check availability.

Considering remote work but worried your broadband speed won't be able to keep up when working from home? Find out what speed is best for WFH.

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Does your job offer remote working, but you're unsure if your broadband is fast enough to keep up? Read our guide to find out the best speed for working from home.

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<h2>Understanding WiFi security protocol types</h2>
Strong <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-protect-your-digital-privacy">digital security</a> helps keep everyone in your home protected from hackers online &mdash; but a good password manager isn&rsquo;t enough. It&rsquo;s crucial to ensure the WiFi connection itself is protecting you as well.&nbsp;
Your WiFi will have a security protocol in place to protect data encrypted as it travels over your connection, and you probably never think about it. But, if your router is using an outdated protocol, this leaves you open to attacks.&nbsp;
Our guide will explain what WiFi security protocols are, how to find out what type your network is using, and if you need to take action.

<h2>What are WiFi security protocols?</h2>
WiFi security protocols are security standards that use encryption technology to protect your sensitive data online. Essentially, the protocols will scramble your data so that it can&rsquo;t be interpreted in the event of an attack or unauthorised access. They will only reveal information when proper authentication is provided.

<h2>Types of security protocols</h2>
There are currently four WiFi security protocols which are used by WiFi routers and access points.&nbsp;
These security standards were first introduced in the 90s, and have gone through several phases to address new threats that come from changing technologies.&nbsp;
While the protocols are an important part of wireless security, many people don&rsquo;t know about them &mdash; and won&rsquo;t know if their WiFi is using the most up-to-date version or not.
<h3>Security protocol: WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)</h3>
Introduced in: 2018 
Key fact: Currently being rolled out as the latest generation of protection.
Should you use it? Yes.
<h3>Security protocol: WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)</h3>
Introduced in: 2004 
Key fact: Widely available and commonly used on home networks.
Should you use it? Yes, if WPA3 is unavailable
<h3>Security protocol: WiFi Protected Access (WPA)</h3>
Introduced in: 2003 
Key fact: Brought in to temporarily correct WEP issues, though it is still sometimes used today.
Should you use it? No
<h3>Security protocol: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)</h3>
Introduced in: 1999 
Key fact: Abandoned and not recommended for use.
Should you use it? No

<h2>WiFi security type FAQs</h2>
<h3>What is WPA3 protocol?</h3>
The most recent and secure protocol is WPA3 (WiFi Protected Access 3), introduced in 2018. WPA3 hasn&rsquo;t been widely rolled out yet, but is gradually being introduced to the market as the highest standard of wireless security.
Not only does WPA3 protect from external attacks, but it adds extra protection for personal errors, such as weak passwords.&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>What is WPA2 protocol?</h3>
Before WPA3, WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access 2) was the leading protocol since its introduction in 2004. In fact, WPA2, is currently the most commonly used protocol.&nbsp;
For 20 years, WPA2 has been favoured because it typically uses AES, or the Advanced Encryption Standard. Adding reliable encryption was a game changer for home networks, which were previously left fairly unprotected from attacks under WPA.
<hr>
<h3>What is WPA protocol?</h3>
Unlike WPA2, WPA (WiFi Protected Access) doesn&rsquo;t have much to offer in terms of encryption, with only basic protection that could easily be broken by attacks.&nbsp;
WPA was introduced in 2003, and since it was very quickly surpassed by WPA2 in 2004, it&rsquo;ll be no surprise to hear that WPA was only meant to be a temporary solution to address vulnerabilities of its predecessor. Despite this, some home networks still use WPA today. WPA uses a weak encryption standard called TKIP, or the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol.
<hr>
<h3>What is WEP protocol?</h3>
The first ever security protocol was WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), established in 1999. At the time, WEP aimed to provide the same level of security that wired networks offered, but vulnerabilities in the protocol were very quickly identified.&nbsp;
Unfortunately, WEP is beyond saving, and cannot always be properly upgraded. It&rsquo;s very rare to find a system that relies on WEP &mdash; if you do come across one, upgrade or replace the system immediately!
<hr>
 
<h2>Why is secure WiFi necessary?</h2>
If your WiFi is unsecure, attackers can get in at the source of your connection and compromise your devices. It&rsquo;s like keeping your valuables in a locked box but leaving the key on top.
You should only connect to networks which use WPA2 or WPA3 for the best level of protection. If you do come across a system using WEP, maybe you&rsquo;ve time-travelled and it&rsquo;s 1999? Either way, connecting to networks with older security protocols leave you open to attacks and privacy breaches.
Security protocols are just one aspect of network security, check out more tips on <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-set-up-a-secure-home-network" rel="follow">setting up a secure home network</a> to keep everyone in your home protected online.
 
<h2>How to check my WiFi security protocols?&nbsp;</h2>
Now that you know what WiFi security protocols are, how can you find out which is being used by your home network?&nbsp;
Checking this varies from device to device, and depends on your operating system. We&rsquo;ve outlined ways to check security on common devices and OS below.
<h3>Find WiFi security on Android</h3>
Checking your security type may differ depending on your particular Android device, but you&rsquo;ll likely find this information in the same settings area you use to find and connect to networks. Follow these steps:
<ol>
<li>
Open up the settings in &lsquo;Settings&rsquo;.
</li>
<li>
Depending on your device, either navigate to &lsquo;Connections&rsquo; or WiFi&rsquo;.
</li>
<li>
Find the network you&rsquo;re currently connected to. Click on the network name or the cog icon to view the settings.
</li>
<li>
Security type will be listed somewhere in this area.
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Find WiFi security on iOS</h3>
Unlike Android phones and tablets, it&rsquo;s not possible to check your WiFi security directly on an iPhone and other iOS devices.&nbsp;
However, Apple is pretty hot on user security. So if you do connect to a network with weak security, a message will pop up within the WiFi settings area.
<h3>Find WiFi security on macOS</h3>
Checking security protocols on Apple Macbooks and other macOS devices is much easier than on iOS, but will still vary depending on your specific device:
<ol>
<li>
While holding down the Option key, click on the WiFi icon in your toolbar.
</li>
<li>
This will open up details about your network, and your security type will be listed here.
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Find WiFi security on Windows 10</h3>
All Windows devices should be using Windows 10 now, and have the same process to finding your WiFi security type:
<ol>
<li>
Open up your WiFi settings by clicking the connection icon in the task bar, or through the settings area.
</li>
<li>
Find the network you&rsquo;re currently connected to, and click &lsquo;Properties&rsquo;.
</li>
<li>
There will be an item called &lsquo;Security Type&rsquo;, and this will include the protocol your network is using.
</li>
</ol>
 
<h2>Can I change my WiFi security type?</h2>
Home networks that use the older and less secure WPA or WEP protocols should be configured or replaced as soon as possible.&nbsp;
Try to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/weak-wifi-security-fixes">change your WiFi security protocol</a> to a more reliable type through your router management settings. If this isn&rsquo;t possible due to the outdated technology, it&rsquo;s time to get on the phone with your provider and demand a new router, or consider switching.
If your network is using WPA3 protocol, it doesn&rsquo;t get any better than that &mdash; so there's no need to take any further action. Many WiFi networks currently use WPA2, which is sometimes seen as WPA2 Personal or WPA2 (AES).&nbsp;
This type is suitable for now, though you can still check your configuration settings to see whether WPA3 is available with your current system.
 
<h2>The best security types for WiFi are WPA3 or WPA2</h2>
The ideal security type for your WiFi router is WPA3, though this isn&rsquo;t widely available as not all systems can support it yet. The next best type is WPA2, which is a valid option for now. As WPA2 has been around since 2004, you&rsquo;ll be unlikely to find any tech that can&rsquo;t support this.
If you find yourself on a weak security WiFi using WPA or WEP, this leaves you especially vulnerable to attacks. This can usually be resolved by upgrading your router &mdash; though if you&rsquo;re also having persistent connection issues, it might be time to consider <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/switching">switching</a> to a new provider entirely.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre">Community Fibre</a> packages include high-quality <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/superior-wifi">WiFi 6 routers</a> to keep you safe and secure online. We don&rsquo;t use WiFi extenders, which sometimes have security vulnerabilities due to the encryption methods. Instead, our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/premium-wifi">Premium WiFi</a> uses innovative <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/what-is-mesh-wifi-and-how-does-it-work">mesh technology</a> for guaranteed strong connections around your home.
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal" rel="follow">Check availability</a> in London, Surrey, and Sussex.

There are four WiFi security protocols available - WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. Learn what type is best and how to check which your WiFi network has.

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