Ask Our Expert

What is the fastest broadband I can get?

Our Broadband Expert says...

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for your question. Fast broadband is currently all the rage, so you should find there are tons of great deals around. As Britain’s superfast plan comes together, you could be downloading a full album of music in seconds. But the quickest speeds come at a price.

Whether you actually need superfast broadband depends on how you would use it. High-bandwidth activity like online gaming or streaming movies need a fast, reliable connection, as well as a generous download limit - so you don’t incur charges for going over.

It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that not every household needs fast, unlimited broadband. For many families, who perhaps just use the internet for email, search engines and Facebook, a much cheaper package would be adequate.

The best starting point is to find out what speed you get now, then look at how much you download and the kind of things you regularly use the internet for. The next step is to compare broadband deals online and find the package that best matches your needs.

How fast is my broadband?

It’s useful to know your current broadband speed to determine whether a faster connection is really what you need. The easiest way to find out is by running a free broadband speed test online. It can be done in less than a minute and works by sending a small file to your computer and timing how long it takes to download.

You should bear in mind that speeds can vary depending on when you run the test. Conducting multiple tests at different times of day will give you a more accurate idea of the speeds you’re currently getting.

Why is my broadband slow?

A range of factors can affect your broadband speed, but the main issue is usually how far you live from the local telephone exchange. If your broadband comes down a copper wire - as it does with BT (www.BT.com) for instance - downloads are slower the further away you are. This is probably the issue for you, Rachel, particularly since you live in a rural part of the country. If it’s ultra-quick speeds you’re looking for, you may be eligible for superfast broadband when you move to a more urban location.

What is the fastest broadband?

The UK’s fastest widely available download speed is currently 100Mb. Both Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com) and BT can offer this “superfast” capability, delivering speeds almost 20 times the national average. Since you already have a BT landline, you might opt straight for a BT Infinity superfast broadband package.

With 100Mb broadband you’d be able to download entire music albums in a matter of seconds, while a high-definition (HD) movie will arrive in just minutes. It will also allow you to run several high-bandwidth applications at the same time without a slowing of connection speed.

Starting in February 2012, Virgin Media is running a major UK upgrade programme, increasing the speeds of over four million broadband customers. People subscribed to Virgin Media’s current 10Mb, 20Mb, 30Mb and 50Mb services will see their speeds at least doubled. Households with a 100Mb connection will be boosted to 120Mb before the scheme completes in 2013.

A superfast broadband package is ideal for multiple-user households, or heavy downloaders hooked on gaming, TV and movies online. But while Virgin Media and BT’s networks are expanding all the time, there are still lots of us who live outside the fibre optic areas.

Is it available in my area?

To find out what broadband speeds are available in your region, use the free postcode checker at Broadbandchoices.co.uk. As well as helping you find the fastest packages on offer, it also lets you compare broadband deals by price and other important factors. It’s a quick and easy way to find the broadband service that best suits your needs.

If you’re unable to get a superfast fibre connection, you might still be able to sign up to one of the faster copper wire (ASDL) packages offered by providers such as O2 broadband (www.O2.co.uk) and BE broadband (www.Bethere.co.uk), which can give you up to 20Mb or 24Mb broadband respectively. While an ASDL package is generally cheaper, it is also more likely to suffer from reduced download speeds.

Factors like distance from the exchange and “congestion” at peak traffic times are much less of an issue where fibre optic broadband is concerned.

Remember...

Although many providers now advertise top speeds of up to 20Mb or 24Mb broadband, this is rarely the speed you will actually receive. The UK’s average download speed is actually just 7Mb, according to recent Ofcom data. If speed is your main concern, it may be worth considering a superfast fibre optic connection, which is more expensive but could be more than 10 times faster.

It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that simply having the fastest “up to” speed does not necessarily mean you’re getting the best broadband for your needs. When deciding whether to switch provider or take an upgraded package, you should take time to compare deals on a range of different criteria. Price, download speed and usage limit are three of the most important.

Photo by adrienneserra.

Ask us a question

If you have a general Internet, broadband switching or Internet service provider query please get in touch with us here

Compare broadband deals

Save up to £363* when you include TV and calls with your broadband

CLOSE [X]

*Enter your postcode to find the best broadband deals in your area. We value your privacy, please see our privacy policy.

Why we need your postcode