Broadband Guide

Broadband coverage

Around 98% of the UK can get online with a broadband connection, either using BT Broadband's (www.BT.com) copper wire ADSL network, a local loop unbundled (LLU) connection or mobile broadband.

But while there are now more than 18 million fixed line broadband subscribers in the UK, more than six million LLU of who are connected to a line, broadband speeds - and prices - can vary depending on your distance from the exchange and the type of technology that you’re using.

Average speeds across the country stand at around 7.6Mb, but 15% of homes are still getting less than 2Mb.

ADSL broadband coverage

Although 98% of the UK has access to copper wire ADSL broadband - either direct from BT or from a provider using the BT network - the speeds on offer vary widely. This is the technology that many people living in non-LLU areas use.

Many providers use the latest ADSL2+ technology to offer 20Mb broadband and 24Mb broadband, however this is only available in upgraded areas and many people are still on up to 8Mb broadband packages with the majority receiving actual speeds well under half of this amount.

Non-LLU providers and packages are also often more expensive than those offered to customers living within one of the UK’s LLU networks. This is because LLU providers have installed their own technology in the local telephone exchange, allowing them to bypass BT and reduce costs for their customers.

If you live outside one of these areas you might pay “regional pricing” - for example, AOL Broadband (www.AOL.co.uk) charges an additional £5 a month to customers outside of its LLU network, while other providers, such as O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) and Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) offer specific non-LLU packages, in the form of O2 Access or Sky Connect which are pricier than the LLU options.

LLU broadband coverage

There were more than 6.2 million LLU broadband lines in the UK at the end of 2009, allowing millions of people to take advantage of cheaper broadband packages and bundles.

LLU technology allows providers to offer very cheap broadband, and in some cases ISPs have even offered "free broadband" or “free line rental”, allowing users to save hundreds of pounds on their broadband bills.

Fibre optic broadband coverage

A new generation of superfast broadband networks are being rolled out across the UK using the latest fibre technology and currently allowing speeds of up to 100Mb broadband, and capable of even faster connections.

BT Infinity's up to 40Mb fibre broadband service is already available to 20% of the UK and will be available to two-thirds of the population by 2014. BT Infinity is also installing fibre to the home connections in new build areas, which will deliver 100Mb broadband.

But if BT Infinity isn't available in your area yet, you have an alternative option. Virgin Media's (www.VirginMedia.com) cable network already covers around 51% of the country giving connections of up to 10Mb, 30Mb, 50Mb and 100Mb broadband. And Virgin Media is planning to upgrade its fastest packages to 120Mb in 2013.

Mobile broadband coverage

More than 97% of the UK can also access the mobile broadband network. Mobile broadband works by using mobile phone masts to connect you to the 3G network - allowing you to go online wherever you have a signal.

However, mobile broadband coverage varies from one provider to the next, depending on where you live. Because of this you should always run a specific postcode search with your chosen provider before signing up to make sure that you'll get an adequate signal where you live and anywhere else that you'll want to get online.

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