What Is Fibre Broadband? FTTC vs FTTP vs Cable Explained
The Three Types of Fibre Broadband in the UK
When providers talk about 'fibre broadband', they're actually describing three distinct technologies that deliver vastly different speeds and performance. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing a service that genuinely meets your household's internet needs.
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) - marketed as 'superfast' or 'partial fibre' - runs fibre optic cables to a green roadside cabinet, then relies on existing copper phone lines for the final stretch into your home.[1] This technology reaches 99% of UK premises and typically delivers speeds between 30-70 Mbps, though real-world performance depends heavily on your distance from the cabinet.[1]
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) - known as 'full fibre' or 'ultrafast broadband' - delivers fibre optic cables directly into your property, eliminating the copper bottleneck entirely.[1] Now available to over 90% of UK premises through Openreach's network expansion, FTTP packages range from 50 Mbps to 900 Mbps, with some providers offering speeds up to 1.6 Gbps.[2][6]
Virgin Media Cable operates on a separate network using coaxial cables rather than traditional phone lines.[1] Available to approximately 18.4 million premises (60% of UK coverage), it delivers speeds up to 1.13 Gbps, though upload speeds remain limited due to cable infrastructure constraints.[2]
| Broadband Type | Technology | Typical Speed Range | How It Works | Market Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) | Fibre to street cabinet + copper final stretch | 30-70 Mbps | Fibre-optic cables connect to street cabinet, then copper telephone lines complete the connection to homes | Superfast broadband |
| FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) | Full fibre-optic cables end-to-end | 50 Mbps - 8.5 Gbps | Fibre-optic cables run directly from exchange to individual homes, enabling symmetric speeds and future scalability | Ultrafast, Gigabit, and next-generation tiers (now including XGS-PON up to 8.5 Gbps) |
| Cable | Hybrid fibre-coaxial network | Up to 1 Gbps (fixed wireless variant) | Fibre backbone with coaxial copper cables for final delivery to homes; typically asymmetric speeds | Ultrafast broadband |
Real Performance Differences
The performance gap between these technologies is substantial. FTTP consistently matches advertised speeds because fibre optic cables maintain signal quality over long distances. A 900 Mbps FTTP connection will typically deliver exactly that speed, both for downloads and uploads.[2]
FTTC performance varies dramatically based on your distance from the cabinet and the condition of copper lines. BT's 67 Mbps FTTC package achieved an average of 63.4 Mbps in testing, but some properties may see significantly lower speeds.[2] Upload speeds remain modest at around 8 Mbps across all FTTC packages.[2]
Virgin Media cable delivers strong download speeds but asymmetrical performance, with uploads typically capped at 35-37 Mbps regardless of your download tier.[2][3] Performance can also degrade during peak hours when multiple households share the same cable segment.[3]
Current Market Pricing and Packages
Major providers offer full fibre packages across a range of price points in 2026:[3]
- Virgin Media: £17-£24/month (132-1,100 Mbps)
- Plusnet: £23-£33/month (74-900 Mbps)
- Vodafone: £23-£60/month (150-1,600 Mbps)
- BT: £28-£37/month (150-900 Mbps)
- Sky: £25-£35/month (75-1,000 Mbps)
- EE: £25-£48/month (74-1,600 Mbps)
Most providers offer broadband only deals no landline, with standard 24-month contracts, though some like Fibrely provide shorter 18-month terms for those seeking more flexibility.[3]
Which Speed Do You Actually Need?
For general browsing and single-device streaming, 50-150 Mbps packages provide adequate performance. Households with multiple users streaming 4K content or regularly video conferencing benefit from 300-500 Mbps connections. The fastest 900 Mbps packages suit large families with six to eight people using multiple devices simultaneously.[4]
To put this in perspective: a 900 Mbps connection can download 45 minutes of streaming content in approximately two seconds.[4] However, most households won't notice the difference between 500 Mbps and 900 Mbps for typical internet usage.
Geographic Availability and Alternatives
Despite widespread FTTP rollout, geographic disparities persist. Urban areas averaged 62.1 Mbps versus 39.4 Mbps in rural locations as of recent measurements - a 58% difference.[1]
For properties without full fibre access, alternatives include 5G home broadband from EE, Vodafone, and Three, offering speeds of 30-300 Mbps for £25-£35/month.[2] Satellite broadband via Starlink and others provides 25-100 Mbps connectivity for truly remote locations.[2]
The government's Project Gigabit programme continues expanding FTTP coverage in underserved areas through 2027, with eligible premises receiving £4,500 vouchers to subsidise deployment.[2]
Making the Switch
When switching between broadband types, services like Join Lodo can handle the comparison and switching process for you, navigating the technical specifications and contract terms to find the best match for your needs.
Remember to check availability at your specific postcode, as coverage varies significantly even within the same area. Compare broadband ni tools and similar postcode checkers provide accurate availability data for your location.[1]
Let Lodo Handle the Switch for You
Lodo is a free AI assistant that compares and switches your mobile, energy, or broadband, without any forms. Just tell it what you need via chat or WhatsApp and it does the rest: finds the best deal, handles the paperwork, and confirms the switch. It takes a few minutes instead of a few hours.
We monitor the market for the newest deals. After switching with us once, we can notify you about a better deal, you confirm with one click and Lodo handles the switching admin.
Try Lodo FreeWhat is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables for faster speeds than copper; it includes FTTC (fibre to the cabinet, part-fibre, up to 67Mbps) and FTTP (full fibre to the premises, up to 1.6Gbps symmetrical).[1][2] In 2026, FTTP covers 60%+ of UK premises with real-world speeds matching advertised tiers on Openreach networks.[1] Virgin Media uses hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC), not true FTTP except Gig2.[2]
What is the difference between full fibre and part-fibre broadband?
Full fibre (FTTP) delivers fibre optic all the way to your home for symmetrical speeds up to 1.6Gbps; part-fibre (FTTC) uses fibre to the cabinet then copper to home, limited to ~67Mbps download and 8Mbps upload.[1][2] FTTP offers reliable ultrafast performance without copper bottlenecks, available to 18.4M premises in 2026.[1] FTTC reaches 99% UK but with lower speeds.[1]
What speeds can I expect from fibre broadband deals?
Full fibre tiers range from 74Mbps to 1.6Gbps download (symmetrical on CityFibre/Openreach), with Virgin Media up to 1.1Gbps HFC (516Mbps average on M500).[1][2][3] Real-world FTTP matches specs like 900Mbps down/up; FTTC tops at 67Mbps.[1] Providers like EE and Vodafone offer 1.6Gbps in 2026.[2]
Which providers offer the best full fibre broadband deals with free gift in 2026?
Top 2026 broadband deals with free gift include Virgin Media M500 at £20.99 (516Mbps avg), Plusnet Full-Fibre 900 at £29.99, and Vodafone Pro 3 at £37 with Wi-Fi 7 router and 4G backup.[3] EE offers 74Mb-1.6Gb for £25-£48 on 24-month broadband only deals no landline.[2] Check postcode for rewards on comparison sites.[2][3]
Are there broadband only deals no landline for fibre?
Yes, broadband only deals no landline are common in 2026, like EE 74Mb-1.6Gb (£25-£48), BT 150-900Mb (£28-£37), Sky 75Mb-1Gb (£25-£35), all 24 months.[2] Virgin Media starts at £17-£24 for 132Mb-1.1Gb fibre.[2] These avoid bundled phone lines for flexibility.[2]
What are short term broadband or no contract wifi options like fibre?
Short term broadband includes Fibrely (18 months, 80Mb-1Gb £27-£34) and Cuckoo (12/24 months, 150-900Mb £34-£47).[2] No contract wifi alternatives: Three 5G Hub (150Mbps avg, rolling contract with £2 April rises) or EE/Vodafone 5G home broadband (30-300Mbps £25-£35).[1][4] Starlink satellite for remote areas (25-100Mbps).[1]
How does Sky broadband moving house affect fibre services?
For Sky broadband moving house, check FTTP/FTTC availability at new address via postcode; Sky offers 75Mb-1Gb full fibre (£25-£35, 24 months).[1][2] Transfer maintains service if covered, but speeds depend on Openreach (90%+ FTTP).[1] Contact Sky for seamless switch without downtime.[1]
Can I compare broadband NI for fibre options?
Yes, compare broadband ni shows Openreach FTTP (90%+ coverage, 50-900Mbps) and CityFibre alternatives like Vodafone 150-1.6Gb (£23-£60).[1][2][5] Northern Ireland has high FTTC (99%) but growing FTTP; use postcode tools for local fibre broadband deals.[1] Providers like EE and BT match UK speeds.[2]
What about Tesco PAC code for switching to fibre broadband?
Use your Tesco PAC code to port mobile number when switching providers for fibre broadband bundles; broadband switches separately via Openreach (FTTP/FTTC).[1] Tesco Broadband isn't prominent in 2026 top deals, but compare via postcode for FTTP like Plusnet or Virgin.[2][3] PAC ensures seamless mobile retention during broadband upgrade.[1]
Does fibre broadband affect electricity consumption?
Fibre broadband routers have low power draw; use an electricity consumption calculator to estimate ~5-10W for hubs like EE Smart Hub 7 Plus (Wi-Fi up to 1Gbps).[3] FTTP setups are efficient vs. copper, with negligible household impact in 2026.[1] High-speed tiers like 900Mbps add minimal extra consumption.[1][3]
Sources
- UK Broadband 2030: Technology & Speed Projections - comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk
- Openreach Publish UK Pilot Pricing for FTTP Broadband Speeds to 8500mbps - ispreview.co.uk
- What are the different types of broadband? - heybroadband.co.uk
- Fibre Broadband Deals: Compare in February 2026 - Uswitch
- Compare Broadband NI data
- CityFibre network coverage data