Fiber vs Cable: What's the Difference?
Fiber Broadband
How it works:
Uses fiber optic cables to your street cabinet, then copper wires to your home (FTTC) or fiber directly to your home (FTTP).
Typical speeds:
- • Standard fiber: 36-67 Mbps
- • Superfast fiber: 67-150 Mbps
- • Ultrafast fiber: 150-900 Mbps
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- ✓ Wide coverage (95%+)
- ✓ Reliable connection
- ✓ Good upload speeds
Cons:
- ✗ Requires phone line
- ✗ Speeds vary by distance
- ✗ Setup fees common
Cable Broadband
How it works:
Uses coaxial cable network (same as cable TV). Dedicated connection without sharing with phone lines.
Typical speeds:
- • Basic cable: 54-108 Mbps
- • Superfast cable: 200-516 Mbps
- • Gigabit cable: 1000+ Mbps
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- ✓ Very fast speeds
- ✓ No phone line needed
- ✓ Good for streaming
Cons:
- ✗ Limited coverage (60%)
- ✗ Shared bandwidth
- ✗ Upload speeds lower
Top UK Broadband Providers 2025
Virgin Media
CableMax Speed:
1130 Mbps
Avg Speed:
516 Mbps
From:
£28/month
Coverage:
60%
Advantages:
- Fastest speeds available
- No phone line needed
- Good TV bundles
Disadvantages:
- Limited coverage
- Upload speeds slower
- Price increases
BT
FiberMax Speed:
900 Mbps
Avg Speed:
67 Mbps
From:
£27.99/month
Coverage:
95%
Advantages:
- Excellent coverage
- Reliable service
- Free virus protection
Disadvantages:
- Can be expensive
- Requires phone line
- Setup fees
Sky
FiberMax Speed:
900 Mbps
Avg Speed:
59 Mbps
From:
£25/month
Coverage:
88%
Advantages:
- Good TV packages
- Competitive prices
- Flexible contracts
Disadvantages:
- Average speeds
- Requires phone line
- Installation wait
TalkTalk
FiberMax Speed:
900 Mbps
Avg Speed:
65 Mbps
From:
£21.95/month
Coverage:
85%
Advantages:
- Very competitive prices
- Simple packages
- No setup costs
Disadvantages:
- Poor customer service
- Slower peak speeds
- Basic router
How to Choose the Right Broadband
1. Check What's Available in Your Area
Coverage varies significantly by postcode. Use provider checker tools to see all options:
- • Ofcom broadband coverage checker
- • Individual provider websites
- • Comparison site postcode checkers
- • Ask neighbors about their experience
2. Calculate Your Speed Needs
Consider Your Usage:
- • Number of simultaneous users
- • Streaming habits (HD vs 4K)
- • Gaming requirements
- • Video calling frequency
- • File uploading needs
Speed Recommendations:
- • 1-2 users: 30-50 Mbps
- • 3-4 users: 60-100 Mbps
- • 5+ users: 100+ Mbps
- • Work from home: 50+ Mbps up
- • 4K streaming: 25 Mbps per stream
3. Compare Total Costs
Look beyond the headline price - consider all costs over the contract period:
Upfront Costs:
- • Connection/setup fees (£0-80)
- • Router costs (usually free)
- • Engineer visit fees (£0-65)
- • Postage & packaging (£5-10)
Monthly Costs:
- • Broadband package price
- • Line rental (fiber only)
- • Call packages (optional)
- • Mid-contract price rises
4. Read the Small Print
Important contract details that affect your decision:
- • Contract length: Usually 12, 18, or 24 months
- • Early exit fees: Can be £100+ if cancelling early
- • Price guarantees: When and how prices can increase
- • Speed guarantees: Minimum speeds and compensation
- • Fair usage policies: Data limits or throttling
Money-Saving Tips
🎯 Negotiate at Renewal
Call your provider 2-3 weeks before contract ends. Mention competitor prices - many offer retention deals to keep you.
💰 Bundle Services
TV + broadband bundles often cost less than separate services. Even if you don't watch much TV, it might be cheaper.
📅 Timing Matters
Best deals often appear during school holidays when demand is lower. Black Friday can also offer good discounts.
🔄 Regular Switching
New customer deals are usually the best. Consider switching every 12-18 months to get the latest offers.
Broadband Trends 2025
🚀 Full Fiber Expansion
Full fiber (FTTP) coverage expected to reach 85% by end of 2025. This means gigabit speeds becoming standard across most of the UK.
💸 Price Competition
More providers entering the full fiber market means increased competition and better deals. Expect prices to stabilize or decrease in competitive areas.
🎮 Gaming & Streaming Focus
Providers increasingly offering gaming-optimized packages with low latency and prioritized traffic for streaming services.
🌱 Green Broadband
More providers highlighting renewable energy usage and carbon-neutral services as environmental concerns grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between download and upload speeds?
Download speed affects how quickly you receive data (streaming, browsing). Upload speed affects sending data (video calls, file uploads, cloud backups). Most people need much more download than upload speed.
Why is my actual speed lower than advertised?
Advertised speeds are "up to" maximums under ideal conditions. Real speeds depend on distance from exchange, network congestion, router quality, and device capabilities. Expect 80-90% of advertised speed as good performance.
Do I need a new router when switching?
Usually yes - most providers supply a free router optimized for their service. Using your own router is often possible but may require technical setup and void speed guarantees.
How long does switching take?
Switching between providers on the same network (fiber-to-fiber) takes 10-14 days. Switching technologies (cable-to-fiber) may take 2-4 weeks and require engineer visits.
What happens if my broadband is too slow?
Providers must offer compensation if speeds fall below guaranteed minimums. You may be entitled to free exit from contract or speed improvement measures at no cost.