Fibre broadband can mean different things.
With full fibre, fibre-optic cable runs all the way to your home. With part fibre, the final part of the connection normally uses an older copper phone line.
So, check which type you are getting before you choose a deal.
What Is Full Fibre?
Full fibre uses fibre-optic cable all the way to your home.
You may also see it called:
FTTP — Fibre to the Premises
Because there is no copper phone line in the broadband connection, full fibre can offer faster and more reliable service than older types of broadband.
It can also offer very high speeds.
What Is Part Fibre?
Part fibre uses two types of cable.
Fibre runs from the exchange to a street cabinet. Then an older copper phone line carries the broadband from the cabinet to your home.
You may see this called:
FTTC — Fibre to the Cabinet
It can still provide a good broadband service. However, the copper part of the connection can limit the speed.
FTTP or FTTC?
The main difference is simple:
FTTP
Fibre runs all the way to your home.
FTTC
Fibre runs to the street cabinet, then copper runs to your home.
So, if a deal mentions fibre, check which type it means.
Why Does Full Fibre Help?
Full fibre removes the copper section between the street cabinet and your home.
As a result, it can provide:
- faster speeds
- more reliable broadband
- better upload speeds
- more choice of very fast packages
Also, distance has much less effect on the speed than it does with older copper-based broadband.
However, you still need to choose the right package. Having full fibre available does not mean you need the fastest speed on sale.
What About Cable Broadband?
Cable broadband is different again.
It normally uses fibre for part of the network and coaxial cable for the final connection.
Cable can provide very fast speeds, including gigabit services.
So, do not assume that a service must be full fibre to provide fast broadband.
Do You Need Full Fibre?
If full fibre is available at a good price, it can be a strong choice.
However, start with what you actually need.
For example, ask:
- Is my current broadband fast enough?
- Is it reliable?
- How many people use it?
- Do we often download large files?
- Do we need faster upload speeds?
- How much will the new service cost?
Then compare the available packages.
Read: Broadband Speeds Explained →
Is Full Fibre Available?
Full fibre is now available to most UK homes, but coverage is not yet complete.
Availability can even differ between nearby streets.
So, check your exact address rather than assuming you can get it.
What Happens During Installation?
If your home has not had full fibre before, an engineer may need to install a new fibre connection.
The fibre normally enters your home and connects to a small unit called an ONT.
ONT means Optical Network Terminal.
Your router then connects to this unit.
The exact work depends on your home and the network, so your provider should explain what is needed before installation.
What About Your Landline?
Full fibre does not need the old phone service to carry your broadband.
If you still use a landline, calls may instead work through your broadband connection.
This is often called a digital phone or internet phone service.
So, if you use a landline, check what will happen to it when you move to full fibre.
This is especially important if you have other equipment connected to the phone line.
Copper Is Being Replaced
The UK is moving away from its old copper-based network.
As full fibre reaches more areas, customers will increasingly move to newer digital services.
However, this change is happening over time. It does not mean every copper cable to every home suddenly disappears on one national date.
So, follow the information from your provider if your service needs to change.
Before You Choose
First, check what is available at your address.
Then:
- Check whether the service is full fibre, part fibre or cable.
- Choose the speed you need.
- Compare the full contract cost.
- Check upload as well as download speed.
- Ask what installation is needed.
- Check what happens to your landline.
Finally, compare the deal with the broadband you already have.
Key Points
- Full fibre runs fibre all the way to your home.
- FTTP means Fibre to the Premises.
- Part fibre normally uses copper for the final section.
- FTTC means Fibre to the Cabinet.
- You do not need the fastest package simply because full fibre is available.
Check the connection first. Then choose the speed.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
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