Fibre-Optic Internet Explained and the Cheapest Fibre Broadband Deals

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The modern household likely uses the Internet for far more than just checking emails or a spot of web surfing. This means it’s not ideal to rely on a basic broadband connection, which will struggle to download and upload data quickly. And if you’re one of the many customers who depend on online streaming or video calling, a faster, more reliable broadband connection is a necessity. The most widely-available solution to slow Wi-Fi is a fibre broadband connection. This uses fibre-optic cables to transmit data at very high speeds, resulting in fast Internet speeds. Thankfully, fibre broadband is widely available across the UK – so you’ve got plenty of choice when searching for the cheapest fibre broadband deal.
Last updated in: November 2022 In this article, we’ll explain all you need to know about fibre broadband. This page also shows you the cheapest fibre broadband-only deals if you’re keen to avoid line rental fees.

Your guide to getting the cheapest fibre broadband

Before deciding on a deal, it’s important to understand what fibre broadband is, and why it’s worth considering. This will help you make an informed decision before connecting your home to fibre broadband.

What is fibre broadband?

Fibre broadband is a type of Internet connection that relies on fibre-optic cables. It uses pulses of light to transmit data across plastic or glass cables at high speeds – much higher than those of basic copper phone lines. The result is very fast downloads, so you can enjoy high-definition streaming or seamless video calling.

How is fibre broadband different from standard broadband?

The main difference between basic asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband and fibre broadband is that ADSL uses copper phone cables, not fibre-optic ones. Copper cables are capable of transmitting data at rather slow speeds, so they’re not ideal for online gaming or downloading videos or music.

Another major difference is that speeds decrease over long distances with ADSL lines. This isn’t the case with fibre broadband, which offers high speeds regardless of your distance from the nearest street cabinet or telecoms exchange.

What are the main types of fibre broadband?

There are two main types of fibre broadband to be aware of:


Types of Fibre Broadband
Type of Fibre Description
Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) A FTTC fibre-optic cable connects from a provider’s telephone exchange to your local cabinet. Copper wires then continue the connection to your home.
Fibre to the premises (FTTP) A fibre-optic cable connects you to the telecoms exchange directly – with no street cabinet or copper wires. This ‘full fibre’ connection is faster and more reliable.


How fast are fibre broadband speeds?

Fibre broadband speeds will vary depending on your deal and provider. However, you can be sure that all fibre broadband is fast – and very capable of handling streaming, web browsing, or video calling. It’s worth noting that FTTP connections offer the best speeds of any fibre broadband type, so they’re perfect for HD streaming or online gaming.

Generally, these are the speeds you can expect from FTTC and FTTP connections, respectively:


Fibre Broadband Speeds
Type of Fibre Speeds
Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) 30-100 megabits per second (Mbps)
Fibre to the premises (FTTP) 100Mbps – 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps)


Can I get cheap fibre broadband in my area?

Fibre broadband is widely available across the country, and most fibre broadband deals available include fibre connections. You can receive fibre broadband services from most providers, and prices vary, resulting in a competitive selection of fibre deals.

However, fibre broadband isn’t available in every location, especially some rural areas. You can check the availability of fibre broadband deals with Ofcom’s postcode checker.

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What are the benefits of fibre broadband?

Fibre broadband presents a range of benefits that you wouldn’t get from a basic connection:

  • fast Internet speeds, allowing for HD video or audio streaming
  • less lag or slowdown during video calls or streaming
  • the power to connect multiple devices at once
  • better reliability overall, resulting in a more stable connection.

Cheapest fibre broadband deals

Here are the cheapest fibre broadband deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Fibre Broadband Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
hyperoptic logo 30Mb Fibre Broadband Monthly: £15
One-off: £9.99
Overall: £369.99
24 33Mbps No
Community Fibre Logo 150 Mbps Fibre Broadband Monthly: £20
One-off: –
Overall: £480
24 150Mbps No
Now Broadband logo NOW Broadband: Super Fibre Monthly: £20
One-off: £5
Overall: £245
12 63/Mbps Yes
Community Fibre Logo 150 Mbps Fibre Broadband Monthly: £22
One-off: £9.95
Overall: £273.95
12 150Mbps No
hyperoptic logo 150Mb Fibre Broadband Monthly: £19.99
One-off: –
Overall: £239.88
12 158Mbps Yes


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest superfast fibre broadband deals

These are the cheapest superfast fibre broadband deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Superfast Fibre Broadband Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
hyperoptic logo 30Mb Fibre Broadband Monthly: £15
One-off: £9.99
Overall: £369.99
24 33Mbps No
Community Fibre Logo/td>

150 Mbps Fibre Broadband Monthly: £20
One-off: –
Overall:480
24 150Mbps No
Now Broadband logo NOW Broadband: Super Fibre Monthly: £20
One-off: £5
Overall: £245
12 63Mbps Yes
Vodafone logo Vodafone Superfast 2 Monthly: £22
One-off: –
Overall: £528
24 67Mbps No


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest ultrafast fibre broadband deals

Here are the cheapest ultrafast fibre broadband deals currently available. Remember that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Ultrafast Fibre Broadband Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
hyperoptic logo Hyperoptic 500Mb Fibre Broadband Monthly: £30
One-off: –
Overall: £360
12 522Mbps No
Community Fibre Logo 500Mbps Fibre Broadband Monthly: £29
One-off: £9.99
Overall: £357.99
12 500Mbps No
Virgin Media logo M500 Fibre Broadband Monthly: £36
One-off: £35
Overall: £683
18 516Mbps Yes


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest gigabit broadband deals

This table will all of you to compare the cheapest gigabit broadband deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available to every UK home or business, as the rollout of gigabit broadband is still underway.


Cheapest Gigabit Broadband Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
Virgin Media logo Gig1 Virgin Fibre Broadband Monthly: £60
One-off: £35
Overall: £1,115
18 1.1Gbps No
Vodafone logo Gigabit 900 Broadband Monthly: £45
One-off: –
Overall: £1,080
24 900Mbps No
hyperoptic logo Fibre Broadband Phone – 1 Month Monthly: £54
One-off: £29
Overall: £83
1 900Mbps Yes


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest fibre broadband bundle deals

Fibre broadband connections can provide fast, smooth, and reliable Internet access – and the best part is that fibre broadband deals can be affordable. You even have the option of bundling your fibre broadband connection with TV or phone services, which can be cheaper and more affordable than receiving these services separately.

Cheapest fibre broadband and phone deals

Here are the cheapest fibre broadband and phone deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Fibre Broadband & Phone Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
Now Broadband logo NOW Broadband: Super Fibre Monthly: £20
One-off: £5
Overall: £245
12 63Mbps Yes
Fibre 65 Monthly: £29.95
One-off: –
Overall: £359.40
12 67Mbps Optional
Plusnet logo Unlimited Fibre Extra Monthly: £24.99
One-off: –
Overall: £449.82
18 66Mbps Yes
logo shell Superfast Fibre Monthly: £19.99
One-off: –
Overall: £359.82
18 38Mbps Yes


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest fibre broadband and TV deals

These are the cheapest fibre and TV deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Fibre Broadband & TV Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included? Notes/bonuses
Now Broadband logo Super Fibre + Entertainment Membership Monthly: £25.99
One-off: £5
Overall: £316.88
12 63Mbps No Other NOW memberships are available
BT logo Entertainment & Netflix +Fibre 2 Monthly: £50.99
One-off: £59.99
Overall: £1283.75
24 67Mbps No Other BT memberships are available
$uk_tralktalk_logo$ Fibre 65 + TalkTalkTV Monthly: £33.95
One-off: £9.95
Overall: £417.35
12 67Mbps Optional


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest fibre broadband, TV, and phone deals

These are the cheapest fibre broadband, TV, and phone deals currently available. Please note that these deals may not be available in all areas.


Cheapest Fibre Broadband, TV & Phone Deals</caption>

Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed
Virgin Media logo Big Bundle Monthly: £29.99
One-off: £35
Overall: £574.82
18 108Mbps
Sky logo Sky TV Essentials, Sky Superfast Broadband + Sky Pay As You Talk Monthly: £30
One-off: –
Overall: £540
18 59Mbps
Fibre 65 + TalkTalkTV Monthly: £33.95
One-off: £9.95
Overall: £417.35
12 67Mbps


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Fibre optic broadband connection

Which broadband providers offer cheap fibre broadband?

Now that you’ve seen the deals on offer, you’re probably wondering which providers are the cheapest suppliers of high-speed fibre broadband. In this section, we outline the least expensive providers.

Cheapest fibre broadband-only providers

This table allows you to compare the cheapest fibre broadband-only providers:


Cheapest Fibre Broadband-Only Deals
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
hyperoptic logo 30Mb Fibre Broadband Monthly: £15
One-off: £9.99
Overall: £369.99
24 33Mbps No
Community Fibre Logo Community Fibre 150 Mbps Fibre Broadband Monthly: £20
One-off: –
Overall: £480
24 150Mbps No
Vodafone logo Vodafone Superfast 2 Monthly: £22
One-off: –
Overall: £528
24 67Mbps No


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

Cheapest fibre broadband bundle providers

Here are the cheapest fibre broadband bundle providers:


Cheapest Fibre Broadband Bundles
Provider Deal Breakdown of costs Contract length in months Average download speed Phone line included?
Now Broadband logo NOW Broadband: Super Fibre Monthly: £20
One-off: £5
Overall: £245
12 63Mbps Yes
Fibre 65 Monthly: £29.95
One-off: –
Overall: £359.40
12 67Mbps Optional
logo shell Shell Superfast Fibre Monthly: £19.99
One-off: –
Overall: £359.82
18 38Mbps Yes


Prices are valid as of November 2022
 

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FAQ

💨 How fast is fibre broadband?

Fibre broadband is fast in comparison to basic ADSL connections. It offers broadband speeds that support more bandwidth-heavy online activities, such as streaming or video calling. Most fibre packages include speeds of between 30-60Mbps, but you can expect even faster speeds of 300Mb to 1Gbps if you choose a FTTP connection.

🤨 What’s the difference between superfast, ultrafast, and gigabit Internet speeds?

Fibre broadband is definitely fast – but there are different types of connections with different speeds. The terminology can be confusing, so check out this table, which explains the different speeds of each connection type.

Fibre Broadband Connection Type
Type of connection FTTC or FTTP? Speed
Superfast FTTC 30-100Mbps
Ultrafast FTTP 300-600Mbps+
Gigabit FTTP 1Gbps (1000Mbps)

💡 Is it worth switching to fibre?

Fibre broadband allows you to enjoy all your favourite online activities, such as streaming or shopping, without lengthy load times or frequent connection dropouts. The improved service compared to ADSL makes it worthwhile – especially when you consider that the cheapest fibre broadband deals cost only slightly more than ADSL deals.

💰 How much does fibre-optic Internet cost in the UK?

A fibre Internet connection is actually quite affordable. The cheapest fibre broadband deals can cost as little as £15 per month, as is the case for Hyperoptic’s 30Mb Fibre Broadband offer.

Most broadband providers offer fibre packages between £20 and £30 each month, but deals with FTTP speeds or TV services may cost more, with some premium packages costing over £60 per month.

Updated on 14 Oct, 2022

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kathryn

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Comments

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Jerry Curser
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This article was informative, thank you.

William

You´re welcome Jerry!