Choosing the right broadband speed can feel confusing – especially with providers throwing around numbers like 36Mbps, 67Mbps, 150Mbps and “full fibre”.
The truth is: most people either overpay for speed they don’t need, or choose a package that’s too slow for how they use the internet.
This guide explains exactly what broadband speed you need, based on:
Broadband speed affects:
If your speed is too slow, you’ll notice:
Recommended speed: 10–25 Mbps
Good for:
Recommended speed: 30–50 Mbps
Good for:
Recommended speed: 60–100 Mbps
Good for:
Recommended speed: 150 Mbps+
Good for:
| Activity | Minimum speed |
|---|---|
| Browsing & email | 5–10 Mbps |
| HD streaming | 10–20 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25 Mbps per stream |
| Video calls | 5–10 Mbps upload |
| Online gaming | 25–50 Mbps |
| Working from home | 50+ Mbps |
The type of fibre broadband available at your address has a big impact on the speeds you can actually get — especially if you work from home, stream in 4K, or have multiple people online at once.
If you’re unsure what the difference actually is, our guide to fibre vs full fibre explains how FTTC and FTTP work — and why it matters for speed and reliability.
Standard fibre broadband — often called FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) — uses fibre cables to your local street cabinet, then copper phone lines into your home.
FTTC is widely available across the UK and works well for light to moderate usage, such as browsing, HD streaming, and video calls.
Full fibre broadband (FTTP – Fibre to the Premises) uses fibre-optic cables all the way into your home, with no copper involved.
Full fibre is ideal for busy households, remote work, online gaming, and 4K streaming on multiple devices.
For a deeper breakdown of how these connections work and when the difference really matters, see our guide to fibre vs full fibre.
If both options are available at your address:
Availability still varies by location, so not all homes can get full fibre yet — but rollout is expanding rapidly across the UK.
Not necessarily.
If:
Choosr helps you:
If changing provider is part of your decision, it’s worth understanding how switching broadband works before you compare deals.
The broadband speeds available to you depend on your address and the type of network in your area.
1. Check by postcode or address
Enter your postcode or full address into a broadband checker to see:
This is more accurate than checking by town or city alone.
2. Look beyond “up to” speeds
Providers advertise “up to” speeds, but real-world performance is often lower.
When comparing options, focus on:
3. Check the type of fibre available
Knowing whether your home has FTTC or FTTP helps set realistic expectations.
4. Match speed to how you use the internet
Just because faster broadband is available doesn’t mean you need it. Review our section in this guide that will help you understand what speed you actually need.
For most UK households, 30–60 Mbps is enough for everyday use including streaming, video calls and multiple devices.
Yes if:
Otherwise, you may not notice much difference compared to cheaper options.
Yes – but your router and home layout also matter. Even fast broadband can feel slow if Wi-Fi coverage is poor.
Yes. Many providers allow switching at the end of your contract, and some offer early-exit options.
In most cases, your new provider handles the switch for you, with little or no disruption.
