Download our FREE 20 page guide to boosting your broadband speed
Updated: Wednesday 2 May, 2012
By Helen Thomas
BT Broadband's (www.BT.com/Infinity) superfast fibre optic broadband packages offer speeds of up to 38Mb, 76Mb and 100Mb at great value prices.
At launch, BT Infinity (www.BT.com/Infinity) was available to just 500,000 homes and businesses. However, its up to 38Mb connection will be available to around 10 million by the end of 2012, and to two-thirds of the population by 2014.
BT Infinity 2, an up to 76Mb service was launched in 2012 offering impressive up to 19Mb upload speeds.
BT Infinity's Option 3 is an "ultrafast" service offering download speeds of up to 100Mb - matching the top speeds offered by Virgin Media's fastest commercial service, but with upload speeds that BT claims are 50% faster than their chief competitor.
BT's 100Mb connection is achieved via its fibre-to-the-premises network, where fibre optic cable is used to cover the entire distance from the local telephone exchange to a customer's house. The same technology is capable of delivering speeds of up to 300Mb.
| Supplier | Speed (up to) | Usage limit | Contract length | Monthly charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Broadband and Calls with BT Infinity | 76Mb | Unlimited | 18 months | £20.00 (for 3 months)£25 Gift CardEnds soon |
If you love speed but can't get BT Infinity in your area, Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) offers a fibre optic alternative. Virgin Media's fastest package also delivers speeds up to 100Mb per second. Plus it is undertaking further upgrades to its network taking speeds up to 120Mb.
Sky (www.Sky.com) also launched two fibre packages in 2012 offering up to 38Mb and up to 76Mb broadband, however, as Sky is using BT's network to deliver its fibre broadband, if BT Infinity isn't available in your area, Sky fibre won't be either.
| Supplier | Speed (up to) | Usage limit | Contract length | Monthly charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband: 30Mb + Phone M | 30Mb | Unlimited | 18 months | £7.25 (for 6 months) Free installation Ends soon | Call Virgin Media on 0808 189 0514 |
| Broadband: 60Mb + Phone M | 60Mb | Unlimited | 18 months | £9.25 (for 6 months) Free installation Ends soon | Call Virgin Media on 0808 189 0514 |
| Broadband: 30Mb + Phone: M + TV: M+ | 30Mb | Unlimited | 18 months | £10.00 (for 6 months) Free installation Ends soon | Call Virgin Media on 0808 189 0514 |
Fibre optic broadband delivers a faster and more reliable broadband connection than traditional copper wire ADSL connections, and suffers virtually no speed decline over distance.
Actual speeds received with a fibre connection are much closer to advertised speeds than those received via an ADSL connection. Ofcom speed tests carried out in November 2011, found that customers with BT’s up to 38Mb connection received average speeds of around 36Mb.
Following what BT claims is one of the fastest fibre broadband roll-outs in the world, BT Infinity will be available to 40% of UK households by 2012, rising to two-thirds of the UK population by 2014.
To find out which areas are scheduled for connection to BT Infinity, visit www.bt.com/infinity-enablement-dates.
The following exchanges will be upgraded to BT Infinity by the end of 2012:
| London |
| Acton, Albert Dock, Ashford, Balham, Battersea, Beulah Hill, Bowes Park, Brixton, Canonbury, Catford, Chingford, Chiswick, Clapton, Clerkenwell, Colindale, Cricklewood, Crouch End, Deptford, Dulwich, Ealing, Edgware, Edmonton, Eltham, Enfield, Feltham, Finchley, Forest Hill, Golders Green, Greenford, Greenwich, Grove Park, Hackney, Hammersmith, Hampstead, Harlesden, Harrow, Hatch End, Hayes North, Hendon, Highams Park, Hounslow, Kentish Town, Kenton Road, Kidbrooke, Kingsbury, Kingsland Green, Lee Green, Leytonstone, Lords, Lower Holloway, Maida Vale, Merton Park, Mile End, Mill Hill, Molesey, Mortlake, Muswell Hill, New Cross, New Southgate, Nine Elms, North Edgware, North Finchley, North Paddington, North Wembley, Northolt, Northwood, Palmers Green, Parsons Green, Perivale, Pimlico, Pinner, Ponders End, Poplar, Primrose Hill, Putney, Ruislip, Rushey Green, Shoreditch, Skyport, South Clapham, South Harrow, Southall, Staines, Stamford Hill, Stanmore, Stratford, Streatham, Sydenham, Teddington, Thamesmead, Tottenham, Twickenham, Upper Holloway, Upton Park, Uxbridge, Vauxhall, Walthamstow, Walworth, Wandsworth, Wanstead, Wembley, West Drayton, Willesden, Wimbledon, Winchmore Hill, Woolwich. |
| Scotland |
| Aberdeen Ashgrove, Aberdeen Denburn, Bothwell, Bridgeton, Busby, Corstorphine, Craiglockhart, Dalgety Bay, Dean, Donaldson, Dunblane, Dundee Broughty Ferry, Dundee Park, Dunfermline, Fountainbridge, Giffnock, Halfway, Hamilton, Innerleithen, Langside, Livingston Station, Midcalder, Musselburgh, Newton Mearns, Scotstoun, Stirling, Western. |
| South East |
| Abingdon, Addiscombe, Aldershot, Alton, Amersham, Andover, Ascot, Ashford, Aylesbury, Bagshot, Baldslow, Banbury, Basingstoke, Beaconsfield, Bearsted, Beckenham, Bexleyheath, Bicester, Bishops Waltham, Blackwater, Blewbury, Bluebell Hill, Bordon, Botley, Bourne End, Bradwell Abbey, Bromley, Brookwood, Burgess Hill, Burnham, Camberley, Canterbury, Capel, Carterton, Caversham, Chandlers Ford, Chesham, Chessington, Chislehurst, Copthorne, Cowley, Cranleigh, Crawley, Crowthorne, Croydon, Dartford, Didcot, Dorking, Downland, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Eastleigh, Egham, Epsom, Ewell, Fair Oak, Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Folkestone, Gerrards Cross, Godalming, Gravesend, Guildford, Hampton, Harestock, Haslemere, Hastings, Hayes Common, Haywards Heath, Headington, Henley-on-thames, High Wycombe, Holmer Green, Horley, Horsham Carfax, Hove, Iver, Kingston, Lindfield, Locks Heath, Locks Heath - Whiteley, Maidenhead, Malden, Marlow, Milton Keynes, Mitcham, Newbury, Newport Pagnell, Orpington, Oxford, Penn, Portsmouth, Portsmouth North, Poundhill, Purley, Reading Central, Reading Earley, Reading South, Reading Tilehurst, Redhill, Reigate, Richmond Kew, Ringwood, Sanderstead, Sevenoaks, Shenley Church End, Sidcup, Sittingbourne, Slade Green, Slough Langley, Slough Main, Snodland, Southampton, Spencers Wood, Stony Stratford, Summertown, Surbiton, Sutton Cheam, Thames Ditton, Thatcham, Thornton Heath, Tonbridge, Totton, Tunbridge Wells, Twyford, Uckfield, Wallingford, Wallington, Walton On Thames, Wantage, West Malling, West Wickham, Whitchurch, Winchester, Windsor, Withdean, Witney, Woburn Sands, Woking, Wokingham, Wolverton, Woodley, Worcester Park, Yateley. |
| South West |
| Bitton, Blunsdon, Bodmin, Boscombe, Bridgwater, Bristol North, Bristol West, Broadstone, Bude, Callington, Calne, Camborne, Camelford, Cheltenham, Chippenham, Coads Green, Cockwells, Constantine, Crantock, Crownhill, Devizes, Devoran, Dobwalls, Downend, Easton, Exeter, Falmouth, Fowey, Fraddon, Frome, Germoe, Grampound Road, Gunnislake, Hardwicke, Hayle, Helston, Ivybridge, Kilkhampton, Kingsmead, Landrake, Lanivet, Lanreath, Launceston, Leedstown, Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel, Marazion, Melksham, Mevagissey, Midsomer Norton Rmcux, Millbrook, Mitchell, Mousehole, Mullion, Nanpean, Newquay, Otterham Station, Padstow, Par, Penryn, Penzance, Perranporth, Pipers Pool, Plymouth, Plympton, Port Isaac, Porthtowan, Portishead, Portland, Portreath, Radstock, Redruth, Rilla Mill, Roche, Rumford, Sennen, Shepton Mallet, Southbourne, St Agnes, St Austell, St Buryan, St Columb, St Day, St Ives, St Just, St Keverne, St Merryn, St Tudy, Stenalees, Stithians, Swindon, Taunton, The Lizard, Three Waters, Toothill, Torpoint, Trebetherick, Tregony, Trowbridge, Truro, Verwood, Wadebridge, Week St Mary, Wellington, Westbury Wilts, Widegates, Widemouth Bay, Wimborne, Winterbourne, Winton, Worle. |
| East of England |
| Baldock, Barking, Barnet, Bedford, Berkhamsted, Billericay, Bishops Stortford, Boreham, Braintree, Brentwood,Bury St Edmunds, Bushey Heath, Cambridge,Chafford, Chatteris, Chelmsford, Cherry Hinton, Colchester, Dagenham, Downhall, Eastwood, Elstree, Gants Hill, Garston, Goodmayes, Great Dunmow, Hadleigh – Essex, Hainault, Harlow, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Highwoods, Histon, Hitchin, Hoddesdon, Hornchurch, Huntingdon, Ilford Central, Ilford North, Ingrebourne, Kesgrave, Laindon, Lea Valley, Leagrave, Leigh On Sea, Leighton Buzzard, Letchworth, Loughton, Luton, Madingley, Marine, Norwich City, Ortons, Peterborough Central, Rayleigh, Rochford, Romford, Royston, South Benfleet, Southend Town, St Albans, St Neots, Stanford Le Hope, Stansted, Stevenage, Upminster, Waltham Cross, Watford, Welwyn, Werrington, Westwood, Wickford, Woodford, Woodham Ferrers, Yaxley |
| North East |
| Aycliffe, Bedlington, Benton, Bishop Auckland, Chester Le Street, Coxhoe, Cramlington, Crook, Durham, Eaglescliffe, East Herrington, Fencehouses, Ferryhill, Gateshead, Gosforth, Guisborough, Hartburn, Hartlepool, Hetton Le Hole, Ingleby Barwick, Jesmond, Linthorpe, Marton, Meadowfield, Morpeth, New Brancepeth, Newcastle, Newcastle West, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Seaham. |
| North West |
| Ainsdale, Allerton, Altrincham, Ashton, Ashton On Ribble, Birkdale, Blackfriars, Bollington, Bolton, Bramhall, Bromborough, Broughton, Bury, Central, Cheetham Hill, Chester Central, Chester South, Childwall, Chorley, Chorlton, Congleton, Cressington, Denton, Didsbury, Failsworth, Formby, Fulwood, Glossop, Hartford, Haslington, Heaton Moor, Heswall, Heywood, Higher Bolton, Holmes Chapel, Hooton, Hulme Hall, Hyde, Irlam, Knutsford, Lancaster, Lark Lane, Leyland, Longton, Lymm, Macclesfield, Manchester East, Marple, Middleton, Middlewich, Moss Side, Mossley, Mountwood, New Mills, Northwich, Oldham, Padgate, Pendleton, Penketh, Penrith, Penwortham, Preston, Prestwich, Rainford, Ramsbottom, Ringway, Rossendale, Royal, Rusholme, Saddleworth, Sale, Sandbach, Sefton Park, Skelmersdale, Stalybridge, Stanley, Stepping Hill, Stockport, Stockton Heath, Stoneycroft, Swinton, Tottington, Trafford, Upholland, Urmston, Walkden, Waterloo, Westhoughton, Whitefield, Willaston, Wilmslow, Winsford, Woodley. |
| East Midlands |
| Ashby De La Zouch, Basford, Birchwood, Blidworth, Breadsall, Burton Latimer, Chellaston, Chesterfield, Coalville, Corby, Daventry, Derby, Duston, Etwall, Great Oakley, Hinckley, Ibstock, Kirby Muxloe, Lincoln, Long Eaton, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Market Deeping, Market Harborough, Mickleover, Narborough, Nottingham Longbow, Oadby, Peartree, Plumtree, Quorn, Rothley, Rushden, Shepshed, Sherwood, St Ives, Stamford, Stoneygate, Sutton Elms, Trentside, Washingborough, Weston Favell, Willowcroft, Woodborough, Worksop. |
| West Midlands |
| Alsager, Baschurch, Bedworth, Berkswell, Bewdley, Biddulph, Bromsgrove, Burntwood, Cannock, Chapel End, Cheadle, Cheslyn Hay, Donnington, Droitwich, Earlsdon, Edgbaston, Erdington, Evesham, Fallings Park, Fazeley, Fernhill Heath, Foleshill, Great Barr, Headless Cross, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Hillside, Kenilworth, Knowle, Leamington Spa, Leamore, Leek, Lichfield, Malvern, Marton, Northern, Nuneaton, Polesworth, Rugby, Selly Oak, Shrewsbury, Solihull, Southam, St Johns, St Peters, Stafford, Stourport, Stratford On Avon, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, Swadlincote, Tamworth, Tettenhall, Walsall, Warwick, Wednesbury, Worcester. |
| Yorkshire |
| Adwick Le Street, Armley, Balby, Barnby Dun, Barnsley, Beauchief, Bingley, Bridlington, Brighouse, Broomhill, Burley In Wharfedale, Calder Valley, Cantley, Castleford, Cudworth, Cullingworth, Darton, Dinnington, Doncaster, Doncaster North, Dronfield, Dudley Hill, Garforth, Guiseley, Halifax, Harehills, Harrogate, Haworth, Haxby, Headingley, Holmfirth, Horsforth, Intake, Knottingley, Lofthouse Gate, Low Moor, Maltby, Malton, Melrosegate, Mirfield, Morley, Mosborough, Normanton, Pontefract, Pudsey, Ranmoor, Rossington, Rothwell, Royston, Seacroft, Shipley, Skipton, Undercliffe, Wombwell, York. |
| Northern Ireland |
| Aghadowey, Aghalee, Ahoghill, Annaghmore, Annalong, Antrim, Ardglass, Armagh, Armoy, Aughnacloy, Baillies Mills, Ballinamallard, Ballycastle, Ballyclare, Ballygawley, Ballygowan, Ballykinler, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Ballynahinch, Ballyronan, Ballywalter, Banbridge, Bangor, Be/city, Belcoo, Belfast Ballysillan, Belfast Balmoral, Belfast Cregagh, Belfast East, Belfast Fortwilliam, Belfast Knock, Belfast Malone, Belfast North, Belfast Ormeau, Belfast Stormont, Bellarena, Belleek, Benburb, Beragh, Bessbrook, Bready, Brookeborough, Broughshane, Bushmills, Caledon, Campsie, Carnlough, Carrickfergus, Carrickmore, Carryduff, Castledawson, Castlederg, Castlereagh, Castlerock, Castlewellan, Claudy, Clogher, Cloughmills, Coagh, Coalisland, Coleraine, Comber, Cookstown, Cross, Crossgar, Crossmaglen, Crumlin, Cullybackey, Cushendall, Derryadd, Derrygonnelly, Derrylin, Dervock, Donaghadee, Donaghmore, Downpatrick, Draperstown, Dromara, Dromore, Dromore Tyrone, Drumquin, Dunamanagh, Dundonald, Dundrod, Dungannon, Dungiven, Eglinton, Enniskillen, Feeny, Fintona, Fivemiletown, Florencecourt, Forkhill, Garvagh, Gilford, Glarryford, Glenanne, Glenarm, Glengormley, Gortin, Greyabbey, Helens Bay, Hillsborough, Holywood, Irvinestown, Keady, Kells, Kesh, Kilkeel, Killeavy, Killinchy, Killyleagh, Kilrea, Kircubbin, Larne, Limavady, Lisbellaw, Lisburn, Lisnaskea, Londonderry, Londonderry Brookhall, Londonderry Waterside, Loughgall, Loughgiel, Lurgan, Maghera, Magherafelt, Markethill, Martinstown, Maze, Millisle, Moira, Moneymore, Mountfield, Moy, Newcastle, Newry, Newtownards, Newtownbutler, Newtownhamilton, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Pomeroy, Portadown, Portaferry, Portavogie, Portglenone, Portrush, Portstewart, Randalstown, Rasharkin, Rathfriland, Richhill, Roslea, Rostrevor, Saintfield, Seaforde, Sion Mills, Springfield, Stewartstown, Stoneyford, Strabane, Swatragh, Tandragee, Templepatrick, Tempo, Toomebridge, Trillick, Tulnacross, Waringstown, Warrenpoint, Whiteabbey, Whitehead. |
| Wales |
| Aberdare, Aberkenfig, Barry, Blackwood, Bridgend, Buckley, Caerphilly, Caldicot, Cardiff Empire, Chepstow, Connahs Quay, Hawarden, Hengoed, Kenfig Hill, Llanedeyrn, Llanishen, Llanrumney, Llantrisant, Llantwit Major, Maesglas, Mumbles, Newport Chartist, Newtown Llantwit, Penarth, Pencoed, Porthcawl, Taffs Well, Whitchurch. |