Broadband Guide

BT broadband coverage and availability

Updated: Wednesday 09 May, 2012

By Helen Thomas

BT (www.BT.com) is the UK’s biggest broadband provider with around six million customers. BT's broadband network covers 99% of the UK population.

BT broadband availability

Where other providers consider it too expensive to install their own equipment in rural exchanges or charge a premium for connection outside of their own network areas, the extensive BT ADSL copper wire network which covers the majority of the UK, means almost everyone can access a broadband connection.

Find all BT deals in your area

Enter your postcode here:

Although BT is not the cheapest of suppliers, customers in rural areas, where competition is limited, may have no alternative provider options.

To see the BT broadband coverage in your area visit our postcode checker.

Increasing download speeds

BT continues to invest in its broadband infrastructure and has announced that it will be rolling out ADSL2+ - faster copper broadband - to 90% of households by spring 2013. This will mean the end of BT’s 8Mb service in these areas, in favour of up to 16Mb connections. However, as with all copper wire connections, your distance from the exchange and the quality of your home wiring will all affect your speed.

BT Infinity

Along with Virgin Media, BT is blazing the trail for superfast broadband. BT Infinity is already available to 20% of the UK, and BT is investing £2.5billion in its fibre network which will increase coverage to two-thirds of the population by 2014.

BT has announced another 178 telephone exchanges that will be upgraded in 2012 as part of its nationwide roll-out. The exchanges announced include 34 locations in Scotland, 21 in the East Midlands, 20 in Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 in the south-west.

Once the new exchanges are upgraded, it will take the project up to 80% completion.

BT Infinity offers three fibre optic connection speeds:

Up to 36Mb: When Ofcom studied broadband speeds in November 2011, it found that BT was delivering actual speeds of 36Mb matching those advertised. Upload speeds were around 9Mb.

Up to 76Mb: BT's up to 76Mb service was launched in 2012 offering impressive "up to 19Mb" upload speeds.

Up to 100Mb: BT also offers a 100Mb fibre-to-the-premises service - where fibre optic cable is used to cover the entire distance from the local telephone exchange to your house.

Check if your local exchange is scheduled for an upgrade to BT Infinity.

Alternatively, find out if BT Infinity is already available in your area by visiting our postcode checker.

BT broadband bundles

To get BT broadband you must have a BT landline, however BT also offers a range of broadband bundles that let you take a home phone calls package and digital TV services with your internet connection. To get the BT Vision service you need a broadband speed of at least 2Mb and you'll also need to be in a Freeview area to watch these channels.

Rural broadband

Find all BT deals in your area

Enter your postcode here:

As well as rolling out fibre to two-thirds of the country, and “advanced copper” to 90% of homes and businesses, BT is also bidding to work with local councils to help bring faster speeds to those very rural areas that struggle to get online.

At present, it says there are only around 160,000 homes that cannot get any sort of internet connection, though 14% of the country suffers on speeds of less than 2Mb. If you live in one of these areas, find out how your local authority is spending government money on faster broadband.

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