What broadband speed do I need?

Choosing the best broadband provider is a tricky business but before you start looking your first question should be what broadband speed do I need? We explain how to work it out.

Angela Kerr Director, Editor

When deciding what broadband speed you need, it depends what you plan to use it for, how many people in your household use it and what’s available in your area. Then you’ll need to weigh up the costs and look for the best broadband deal for you. So read on for advice on all aspects of picking a broadband deal and details of the best broadband providers.

Why is broadband speed important?

When you’re deciding which broadband package to pick, it’s vital you ask yourself what broadband speed do I need? That’s because if it’s too slow you won’t be able to do what you want to do. But if it’s too fast you’ll be paying for something you won’t get the benefit of.

By choosing a package with a fast speed, you’ll get quicker downloads and reduce the chance of having problems if different family members use it at the same time. If you’re asking what broandband speed do I need, bear in mind that providers must advertise their average download speeds with their deals. However they aren’t required to tell you how consistent that speed is or how reliable their service is so always check reviews before signing up.

What is a good internet speed?

There isn’t a one size fits all answer to this because a good internet speed is one that matches your needs the best. Broadband speeds in the UK start from around 10Mbps and can go faster than 1Gbps, which is 100 times faster. So when you’re asking what broadband speed do I need, what makes a ‘good’ internet speed for you is one that’s fast enough to handle everything your household does online – but not so fast you’re paying for a speed that you don’t need.

Do I need to switch to get faster broadband?

Not all broadband providers offer the same speeds. So you may be able to get a faster connection by choosing a different provider. It’s important to check what broadband deals are available in your area. You can also use Ofcom’s broadband coverage checker to see what broadband speeds are available in your area.

Standard vs fibre broadband: What broadband speed do I need?

Choosing the right broadband deal and speed can seem confusing because there are lots of different terms you’ll need to understand.

Standard broadband

These broadband packages use ADSL technology, this means they use the existing Openreach phone/copper network. As a result standard broadband is widely available, however average standard broadband download speeds are typically around 10-11 megabits per second (Mbps).  Although the speed you receive could be much slower than this if you live quite far from the nearest telephone exchange.

Standard broadband used to be the most popular option but most households have opted for faster options where available. However you may find it serves your purposes if you’re just using your broadband to browse the web, check your emails, upload photos to social media accounts and even stream from BBC iPlayer. However, even if you think this is all you need it’s a good idea to check if you can get a cheap superfast deal first – it might cost less.

What is fibre broadband?

With this type of broadband, the majority of packages use fibre to connect the exchange to the cabinet in your street and then use the phone line to get from the cabinet to your house. And it’s much faster than standard broadband; these Fibre to the Cabinet or FTTC connections generally offer average speeds between 36Mbps – 76Mbps. However around one third of UK homes get fibre directly from the exchange – known as FTTH or Fibre to the Home or FTTP Fibre to the Premises. Of these homes, more than two thirds can get speeds of up to 1000Mbps (1Gbps).

Who needs fibre broadband?

If you’re asking ‘what broadband speed do I need?’ you are likely to benefit from superfast broadband if you regularly:

• Use broadband at home at the same time as others in your household
• Download films
• Use online TV catch-up services on more than one device
• Enjoy playing online video games
• Use video-calling services like Skype
• Or if standard broadband speeds in your area are slow.

What is ultrafast broadband?

Connections are usually considered ultrafast if it’s 100Mbps or faster. Some providers that use the Openreach network like BT offer ultrafast connections, however whether you can get access to this or not will depend on where you live.

While Virgin Media uses its own fibre optic cables to connect its street cabinets to the telephone exchange. It then uses coaxial cables to link customers’ homes to the street cabinet. Coaxial cable is faster than standard phone lines and as a result most Virgin Media broadband deals are ultrafast. And while it doesn’t have the same broad coverage as Virgin Media, the provider Hyperoptic also has its own fibre network.

What are my other options?

Alternatively, you may opt to get your broadband via satellite. This may be an option in rural areas where there is poor network coverage. While mobile broadband is another option if your cable options are limited; this uses your mobile signal to connect to the internet.

Reviewing your broadband as part of your move, don’t forget to sort your removals too. Get instant removals quotes now.

How do I know what broadband speed I’ll actually get?

So you may know the answer to the question ‘what broadband speed do I need?’ – but how do you know what speed you’ll actually get? According to Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice you should get clear information about speeds when you buy a broadband service. And if your service doesn’t deliver the speeds you were promised by your provider, you should contact them.

Ofcom says, ‘if the problem is on their network and they can’t fix it within 30 days, they must let you leave your contract without having to pay an early exit fee.’ The rule is part of a voluntary code that providers can sign up to. BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media have all signed up to the code.

It also says this right to exit applies to ‘bundled’ products too. ‘Until 21 December 2022, this will apply to bundled services such as landline services on the same line, or pay-TV services purchased at the same time as the broadband service. From 21 December 2022, the bundle will include any products which are linked financially, contractually, or technically.’

When it comes to what broadband speed do I need, you can check the broadband speed you’re actually getting using online tools like this one. And you can find out what speed you should be getting by contacting your provider.

What broadband speed do I need to stream movies and TV?

If you’re asking what broadband speed do I need to stream movies and TV, to use BBC iPlayer, the minimum recommended speed is 1.5Mbps for standard TV and 2.8 Mbps for HD. While for Netflix it’s recommended you need 3 Mbps for standard TV, 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for full HD.

And to stream music, you’ll need a recommended minimum of 0.5 Mbps to stream Amazon Music Unlimited while Apple Music (iTunes) needs a recommended minimum of 0.256 Mbps.

What broadband speed do I need for video calling?

For anyone asking what broadband speed do I need to use popular video-calling apps like FaceTime, Zoom and Skype, it’s usually recommended that you have upload and download speeds of around 3 Mbps. You need both speeds as your connection will be receiving and sending data at the same time.

Broadband contract length

Most broadband contracts are between 12 and 24 months. They tend to levy hefty exit penalties if you want to leave early. Make sure you are happy with the deal before you sign.

If you sign up to a broadband deal by phone, post or, in most cases, online then you have the right to cancel within 14 days. This is thanks to consumer regulations on distance selling. So, if you aren’t happy cancel quickly.

Work out the total broadband cost

You will pay your broadband bills monthly but always compare the total cost of different deals over the length of the contract. Make sure you include any set-up costs. This will give you a simple figure so you can compare like with like. It will stop you getting lured in by a low initial cost only to find an introductory deal ends and you are left paying through the nose for your broadband.

Also, make a note of when your contract ends and make sure you shop around for a new deal. Loyalty, when it comes to broadband at least, never pays.

For more ways to cut household bills read our guide on Top 10 energy saving tips.

What else should I watch out for?

Do some research online into the router your broadband firm will give you. The quality of the hardware can affect your Wi-fi speeds so you may be better off buying your own.

What about broadband bundles?

Most broadband providers also offer telephone and TV services. If you need these too then look at bundled deals. You will usually save money by going for a bundled package.

I’m moving house: When do I need to get broadband?

There’s plenty to think about when moving house, but most of us should put broadband pretty high up the list. When thinking about broadband and moving house, most of us will want internet up and running as soon as possible after we move.

If you have broadband at your current property you may well be able to move your current contract to your new home. You will need to speak to your provider to see if they can provide the same service at your new address. If they can then simply tell them your move date and they should be able to activate broadband at your new address that day. See our dedicated guide on broadband and moving house for further advice to prepare for your move.

However, if you aren’t tied into a contract then a home move can be a great time to shop around for a better deal. Once you’ve exchanged contracts on your new home it is time to start arranging utilities.

In addition to sorting your broadband, get ready for your moving day with our moving house checklist, including getting your removals quotes sorted…

Getting broadband in a new build home

When considering broadband and moving into a new build home or anywhere else that doesn’t yet have internet? You’ll need to arrange to have a broadband line installed and activated. Most providers will offer you free phone line installation if you sign up to a broadband package with them.

Getting internet set up for the first time can two weeks. Make sure you start making arrangements early – right after exchange is ideal – to make sure you’ll be up and running as soon as you move in.

You might have trouble working out what broadband is available at your new home. This is because your new postcode may not be working in broadband checkers yet. You can find out more about postcode problems with our guide to what you need to do when moving into a new build home.

How long does it take to get broadband?

It’s impossible to give you a precise answer to this as times will vary by company. But, allow around 10 working days.

Can I get broadband without a phone line?

Most broadband providers require a physical phone line connected to your phone to get broadband because the internet is connected through the same cables. This is the case for all providers that use the Openreach network including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet and EE.

But this doesn’t mean you must have a landline telephone set up in your home. With some providers you sign up for a broadband package that includes a free landline connection and it’s up to you if you plug a phone in.

While with others you can choose if you want a landline phone when you sign up. Some providers offer a discount if you opt for broadband-only.

However, some providers don’t require a landline at all. For example, Virgin Media connects to your home via its own, separate sets of cables. So it’s up to you if you want to add a landline.

The best broadband providers 2023

Virgin Media Broadband

When it comes to speed Virgin Media can’t be beaten. It offers speeds of up to 1130Mbps. Unfortunately, we can’t all enjoy these super speeds. You need to live in an area that has Virgin’s cable network. Virgin Media Broadband packages start from £26 a month including line rental and free weekend calls to UK landlines. This has an average download speed of 132Mbps. There’s no set up fee and the contract lasts 18 months. At the top end, its Gig1 Fibre Broadband, which has average download speeds of 1130Mbps, costs £45 a month for 18 months with no set up fee.

NOW

Now offers a range of broadband packages, which all include a landline phone service. For example its Now Super Fibre deal has an average speed of 63Mbps, for £22 per month for 12 months and with an upfront cost of £5.

Plusnet

Again there’s a range of options such a Plusnet Unlimited Fibre Extra at £24.99 per month for average speeds of 68-72 Mbps on an 18 month contract. There are no setup costs and you’ll get a £50 reward card (subject to terms and conditions).

BT Broadband

BT is the biggest broadband provider in the UK and it impressed Ofcom. Their recent survey found that it had the highest level of customer satisfaction with a score of 88%. It offers packages from £28.99 a month on a 24 month contract.

Frequently Asked Questions