How Fast Is Full Fibre Broadband?

When shopping for a new broadband connection, speed is often the most important factor. If you've been looking at different options, you've probably heard about full fibre broadband and its impressive speeds. But how fast is full fibre broadband exactly, and is it worth the investment?

What speeds can you expect from full fibre?

Full fibre broadband, also known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), delivers internet directly to your home using fibre optic cables. Unlike other connections, full fibre broadband speed isn't compromised by distance or shared lines, resulting in significantly faster and more reliable performance.

Average download and upload speeds

When it comes to what speed is full fibre broadband, the numbers are impressive. Most full fibre packages offer download speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), with some providers like Hey! Broadband even offering speeds up to 900 Mbps on their top-tier packages.

Here's what you can typically expect:

• Entry-level packages: 100-300 Mbps download speeds.
• Mid-range packages: 300-500 Mbps download speeds.
• Premium packages: 500-900 Mbps download speeds.

How it compares to standard fibre and ADSL

To understand how fast is full fibre broadband really, let's compare it to other types of connections. This comparison helps illustrate what speed is full fibre broadband compared to traditional options:

ADSL Broadband:

• Download speeds: Typically 10-24 Mbps.
• Upload speeds: Usually just 1-2 Mbps.

Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC):

• Download speeds: Generally 30-80 Mbps.
• Upload speeds: Around 5-20 Mbps.

Full Fibre (FTTP):

• Download speeds: Impressive 100-900 Mbps.
• Upload speeds: Substantial 30-100+ Mbps.

The difference is substantial. Full fibre broadband speeds can be up to 30 times faster than traditional ADSL connections and up to 10 times faster than standard fibre (FTTC). This dramatic improvement is particularly noticeable when multiple people use the internet simultaneously or perform data-intensive tasks.

Is full fibre broadband really that fast?

In short, yes – full fibre broadband delivers the advertised speeds, but with some caveats. While providers advertise maximum speeds, your actual experience may vary based on several factors.

Factors that affect your actual speed

Several elements can influence how fast full fibre broadband performs in your home:

WiFi limitations: WiFi can become a bottleneck even with full fibre broadband. Most standard WiFi routers support speeds up to 300 Mbps, while newer ones can handle gigabit speeds. The construction of your home, distance from the router, and interference from other devices can all impact WiFi performance.

Device capabilities: Older computers, tablets, and smartphones might not support the highest speeds.

Network congestion: Although less common with full fibre than with other types of broadband, peak usage times can still affect overall performance.

Internal wiring: The quality of the ethernet cables and internal wiring in your home can impact how fast full fibre broadband performs. To get the most out of your full fibre broadband speed, consider using wired connections for devices that need the highest performance, like gaming consoles or work computers. For WiFi-dependent devices, investing in a high-quality mesh WiFi system can help ensure the speed reaches every corner of your home.

How fast do you really need?

While the allure of gigabit speeds is tempting, not everyone needs the fastest connection available. Understanding your usage patterns can help you choose the right full fibre broadband speed for your needs.

Streaming, gaming, and remote work requirements

Different online activities require different speeds:

Streaming video:

• Standard definition: 3-5 Mbps.
• High definition (HD): 5-10 Mbps.
• 4K Ultra HD: 25-35 Mbps.

Online gaming:

• Basic gaming: 3-6 Mbps.
• Competitive gaming: 15-25 Mbps.
• Game downloads: Higher speeds significantly reduce waiting times.

Remote work:

• Video calls: 5-10 Mbps.
• Cloud applications: 10-20 Mbps.
• Large file transfers: 50+ Mbps for efficiency.

For most single-user households, a full fibre broadband speed of 100-300 Mbps is more than adequate for all these activities, even simultaneously.

Ideal speeds for households with multiple users

When multiple people are online at once, bandwidth requirements add up quickly. Here's a rough guide to what speed is full fibre broadband appropriate for different household sizes:

• 1-2 people: 100-300 Mbps is usually sufficient.
• 3-4 people: 300-500 Mbps ensures everyone gets good performance.
• 5+ people or heavy users: 500-900 Mbps provides plenty of bandwidth.

Conclusion: Is full fibre the fastest option?

Yes, full fibre broadband is currently the fastest and most reliable broadband technology available to UK households.

For most households, the question isn't whether full fibre is fast enough, but rather which full fibre broadband speed package is right for their needs.

If you're ready to experience these impressive speeds, check out our range of packages at Hey! Broadband or give us a call at 0330 822 2878. Our friendly customer service team is here to help you understand the best for your needs.