A Guide to Ultrafast Broadband: Speeds, Costs, and Benefits

Ultrafast broadband is a high-speed internet connection capable of delivering 100 Mbps or more, making it particularly useful for households with multiple users, remote workers, gamers and anyone regularly streaming or downloading large files. Whether you actually need ultrafast broadband depends on your household’s online habits, but full fibre connections can provide greater speed, reliability and capacity than older broadband technologies.

At Hey!Broadband, our full fibre network delivers broadband directly to your home without relying on copper wiring for the final part of the connection. With speeds from 150 Mbps up to 900 Mbps and matching upload and download speeds, you can choose the level of performance that fits the way your household uses the internet.

What Is Ultrafast Broadband?

If you’re wondering what ultrafast broadband is, the term is used to describe broadband connections offering speeds of at least 100 Mbps. It sits above slower standard and superfast broadband categories and is designed to support more demanding online activity.

One of the main ways ultrafast broadband is delivered is through Full Fibre, or Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). Instead of fibre stopping at a street cabinet before relying on copper cables to reach your property, FTTP brings fibre optic cables directly into your home.

Fibre optic cables transmit information using light signals and have much greater capacity than traditional copper wiring. That makes full fibre well suited to households where several people and devices need a fast connection at the same time.

How Fast Is Ultrafast Broadband?

So, how fast is ultrafast broadband in everyday terms?

Ultrafast connections start at 100 Mbps, while faster full fibre packages can reach several hundred megabits per second or approach gigabit speeds. Hey!Broadband currently offers full fibre options of 150 Mbps, 400 Mbps and 900 Mbps, with symmetrical upload and download speeds.

The difference becomes particularly noticeable when transferring large amounts of data. Faster broadband can reduce the time required to download large games and software updates, while also giving your household more capacity for several simultaneous activities.

For example, a 900 Mbps connection can be useful when one person is downloading a large game, others are streaming content, someone is working on a video call and multiple phones, tablets and smart devices are connected at the same time.

Remember, though, that your broadband package isn’t the only factor affecting the speeds you experience. Wi-Fi signal strength, router placement, your device and the layout of your home can all influence performance. A mesh Wi-Fi system can help extend coverage if certain rooms have weak Wi-Fi.

What Is the Difference Between Superfast and Ultrafast Broadband?

The difference between superfast and ultrafast broadband primarily comes down to speed and the technology used to provide the connection.

Superfast broadband generally refers to connections delivering at least 30 Mbps. Ultrafast broadband, meanwhile, starts at 100 Mbps.

That extra capacity can become valuable in busy homes. A lower-speed connection may be perfectly adequate for browsing, checking email and occasional streaming, whereas an ultrafast full fibre connection gives you more headroom when many activities happen simultaneously.

The underlying connection also matters. Older fibre services can still use copper wiring between the street cabinet and your property. Full fibre removes that copper section, allowing fibre to run directly into the home and providing a more reliable, future-ready connection.

Do I Need Ultrafast Broadband?

Asking “do I need ultrafast broadband?” is more useful than simply asking which package offers the biggest number.

For a small household mainly using the internet for browsing, emails and occasional HD streaming, the fastest available package may be unnecessary. Even Hey!Broadband’s 150 Mbps full fibre tier can comfortably support many everyday household activities.

Larger or more digitally active households, however, can benefit from additional capacity. Think about how many people are online during your busiest period rather than considering each activity individually.

If several users are streaming, gaming, working and downloading files at the same time, moving to 400 Mbps or 900 Mbps can give everyone more room to use the connection without competing for bandwidth.

When Does Ultrafast Broadband Make the Biggest Difference?

Ultrafast broadband becomes particularly useful when your household has multiple heavy internet users.

Remote workers can benefit when video meetings, cloud applications and large file transfers are part of the daily routine. Gamers may appreciate faster downloads for increasingly large games and updates, while content creators and people regularly backing up files to the cloud can benefit from strong upload performance.

It can also make sense for connected homes. Smartphones, laptops, televisions, consoles, smart speakers, security cameras and other devices quickly add up. Hey!Broadband’s Gigafast 900 service, for example, is designed to support more than 50 connected devices.

Can I Get Ultrafast Broadband in My Area?

Whether you can get ultrafast broadband depends on the network infrastructure available at your address.

Full fibre availability can vary not only between towns but sometimes between neighbouring streets and properties. The simplest way to find out is to enter your postcode into the Hey!Broadband availability checker.

If full fibre is available, you can then compare the different speed options and choose one based on your household rather than automatically selecting the fastest package.

How Much Is Ultrafast Broadband and Is It Worth It?

There isn’t one answer to how much ultrafast broadband costs. The total price can depend on the speed you select, your contract length, installation requirements and any extras you choose.

Hey!Broadband offers full fibre broadband deals from £23 per month, with a router and free standard installation included on eligible 12 and 24-month contracts.

So, is ultrafast broadband worth it? For households that regularly have several people online, work remotely, stream heavily, game, upload large files or simply want plenty of capacity for future needs, it can be a worthwhile upgrade. For lighter users, a lower ultrafast tier such as 150 Mbps may provide a better balance between performance and cost than paying for bandwidth they are unlikely to use.

The key is choosing broadband that matches how you actually live online.

Ready to see what ultrafast broadband could do for your home? Check your postcode to discover which Hey!Broadband full fibre packages are available in your area, or call our friendly customer support team on 0330 822 2878. We’ll help you choose the right speed for your household, whether that’s Superfast 150, Megafast 400 or Gigafast 900, so you get the performance you need without paying for more than you’ll use.