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All the different names for broadband can be confusing. Get to grips with standard, fibre and full fibre broadband with our easy guide.

Fibre vs standard broadband: What's the difference?

All the different names for broadband can be confusing. Get to grips with standard, fibre and full fibre broadband with our quick and easy guide.

<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

<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

In our digitally connected world, broadband speed is a must-have for a good online experience. Whether you're streaming a remastered movie in high-definition, playing online with friends, or working from home, your broadband connection can make or break your day.
This article will guide you through the world of broadband speeds, by looking at how they are measured, what it means to have &lsquo;fast&rsquo; broadband, testing and choosing speeds, and tips to compare providers.
Article contents:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="#understanding" rel="follow">Understanding how broadband is measured</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#whatspeed" rel="follow">What broadband speed do I need?</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#testing" rel="follow">Testing my current broadband</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#comparing" rel="follow">Comparing broadband providers</a>
</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;
<h2 id="understanding">Understanding how broadband speed is measured</h2>
Broadband speed is the rate that data moves between your device and the internet, and is measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and Gbps (gigabits per second). You can read more about <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/mbps-gbps-meaning" rel="follow">Mbps and Gbps</a>, but for now, just know that 1,000 Mbps is equal to 1 Gbps.
You&rsquo;ll often see upload and download speeds mentioned when comparing broadband speeds. These measurements refer to the rates at which data is transferred to and from your device and the internet. Uploading includes tasks like sharing files, taking part in video calls, and posting pictures on social media. Whereas, downloading might involve tasks like watching videos, browsing the web, and downloading files.
Various factors can affect your broadband speed, such as the technology used, how busy a network is, and of course, your broadband package itself.

&nbsp;
<h3>What is a fast broadband speed?</h3>
What we consider to be &ldquo;fast&rdquo; broadband can vary from person to person because of individual preferences and internet usage. Generally speaking, <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speed" rel="follow noopener">broadband speeds</a> between 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps will provide a smooth performance and minimal disruption when carrying out demanding online activities, such as 4K video streaming.
Many of us now benefit from <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-full-fibre-is-best" rel="follow">fast fibre-optic broadband</a> connections, which offer low latency and high bandwidth, making our online activities instant and smooth. They also benefit from symmetrical download and upload speeds, and a more secure connection with no peak-time slowdowns.
It&rsquo;s worth mentioning here that <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/the-difference-between-broadband-and-wifi" rel="follow noopener">broadband is not the same as WiFi</a>. Broadband is the connection between your internet provider and your home, and comes in many forms. WiFi on the other hand, is the technology used to connect multiple devices to a router and allows you to access the internet connection available.
Traditionally, most properties would use ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), which uses copper wiring to connect networks. Nowadays, properties are increasingly using fibre optic broadband connections, which use glass or plastic cables for quicker data transfer. An apartment building may have fibre optic capabilities, and each household within that building will have their own WiFi in order to access the internet with that capability. So, if your&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-check-wifi-signal-strength" rel="follow noopener">WiFi speed is slow</a>, it could have more to do with the signal of your router than the actual broadband connection. What&rsquo;s more, <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/what-materials-can-block-a-wifi-signal" rel="follow noopener">WiFi is more susceptible to interference</a>, which can also be a cause of connectivity issues.

&nbsp;
<h2 id="whatspeed">What broadband speed do I need?</h2>
There is a wide range of speeds available, starting with essential <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/35-mbps" rel="follow">35 Mbps</a>, with faster options such as&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/speed-guide-1-gbps" rel="follow">1 Gbps</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/3-gigafast" rel="follow">3 Gbps</a>. Deciding which level of speed is suitable for you will depend primarily on your online activities and the number of devices in your household. Here are a few key factors to consider when determining your speed requirements:
<h3>Internet usage and purpose</h3>
How much do you do online? If most of your activity consists of casually browsing websites, using social media, and watching the occasional YouTube video, a low-speed plan could work for you. However, if you enjoy streaming high-definition movies, playing lots of online video games, or work remotely most of the time, a higher-speed plan might better support your lifestyle.
<h3>Household size</h3>
How many people live in your home? If <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-for-one-person" rel="follow">you live alone</a>, it&rsquo;s unlikely you&rsquo;ll be putting much strain on your broadband with light-medium online activities. But if you live with <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/broadband-for-large-families" rel="follow">several other people</a>, all with their own habits and needs, this will definitely come into play when choosing a speed that can cope with each of your demands.
<h3>Multiple devices</h3>
Can you think of all the devices in your home that require an internet connection? Every one of these will be simultaneously connected and can impact overall speed. Each device uses up bandwidth, so think about mobiles, tablets, laptops, and don&rsquo;t forget about smart devices&mdash;smart TVs, watches, and even everyday appliances like washing machines and baby monitors.

&nbsp;
<h2 id="testing">Testing my current broadband</h2>
Before upgrading or switching broadband providers, it&rsquo;s a good idea to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest" rel="follow noopener">test your current broadband speed</a>. This will help you identify any issues, try ways to improve your speed, and decide whether you could benefit from a faster broadband plan.
To get accurate results from your test, try the following:
<ul>
<li>
Close background applications across all devices, ensuring any downloads or uploads are paused.
</li>
<li>
Connect the device you are testing on to your WiFi router using an Ethernet cable, if one is available. This will help reduce any <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-boost-wifi-signal-through-walls" rel="follow noopener">WiFi signal</a> issues you might have.
</li>
</ul>
For those based in Greater London, check out our detailed guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/the-search-for-the-fastest-broadband-speed-in-london" rel="follow noopener">getting the best broadband speed in London</a>.

&nbsp;
<h2 id="comparing">Comparing broadband providers</h2>
Now that you have a better understanding of what broadband is, your current speed, and the demands of your household, you can explore different options available to you. With so many providers out there, have this checklist on hand to help you narrow down the search:
<ul>
<li>
Speed levels: Providers typically offer multiple speed options at different price points, generally being more expensive the quicker it is. Are the options enough to support your usage and devices? Community Fibre offers speeds up to 3 Gbps, with same upload and download speeds.
</li>
<li>
Network reliability: There are few things more frustrating than a network outage putting an end to your evening plans at the end of a long day. While you might assume the UK&rsquo;s biggest networks have the most stable infrastructure, this isn&rsquo;t necessarily the case. When shopping for a broadband package, it&rsquo;s a good idea to look for a provider with a<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre" rel="follow noopener"> proven track record of reliability</a>.
</li>
<li>
Location: Check the provider's services are available in your area. Cities are generally well serviced, but some rural areas may have limited options. Community Fibre&nbsp;<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/why-choose-community-fibre" rel="follow noopener">serves London's fastest speeds.</a>.
</li>
<li>
Contract length and terms: Carefully review the terms of any contract, including contract duration, fees if you leave early, and any data caps that could leave you cut off. It&rsquo;s not a fun read, but the small print will protect you from unexpected costs. What&rsquo;s more, it&rsquo;s a fairly common practice for provider&rsquo;s to increase their prices after the initial promotional period of a contract ends.
</li>
<li>
Customer reviews: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Read through real customer feedback to see if the provider is reliable, and how they respond to any issues. Review websites and social media can help here.
</li>
<li>
Bundles: Some providers offer bundled packages that include TV and calls too, which could help you save money in other areas and cut down on the number of providers you use.
</li>
<li>
Offers and deals: Many providers offer introductory offers, or run regular discounts and promotions such as reduced costs for the first few months of your plan.
</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#comparison-broadband" rel="follow noopener">Compare Community Fibre to leading competitors</a> to see if you can benefit from faster and more reliable broadband in London, Surrey, and Sussex.

&nbsp;
<h2>Check your broadband speed now</h2>
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/speedtest" rel="follow">Test your broadband speed</a> to see if your broadband is living up to the demands of your household.
If you&rsquo;re not happy with the results, we&rsquo;re here to help. As London&rsquo;s top-rated provider, with the <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/deals" rel="follow noopener">fastest broadband speeds at the best prices</a>, you&rsquo;re sure to find a package to suit your needs.

Wondering what broadband speed you need? Learn all you need to know about fast broadband speed in our guide, and decide if you need to switch.

Complete guide to broadband speeds

Broadband speeds guide: Finding the fastest connection

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