What Exactly is Full Fibre Broadband?

In today's hyperconnected world, with all the streaming, gaming, and video calling we do, having super-fast and dependable broadband is a must. You may have heard some buzz around "full fibre broadband", and you're probably wondering, is fibre broadband better than traditional broadband?

We’ll break it down for you in simple terms, show you why full fibre broadband is for everyone, and how to get the best deals.

What’s the difference between full fibre, partial fibre and ADSL broadband?

Full fibre broadband, sometimes referred to as FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), is the fastest and most reliable internet connection you can get.

Unlike traditional broadband connections, which rely on copper cables to transmit data over long distances, full fibre uses fibre optic cables. Made from glass or plastic, fibre optic cabling can carry vast amounts of data for long distances at high speeds with very little signal degradation. They’re also better able to cope with extreme temperatures. These fibres then go straight into your home, bringing you internet that's both more reliable faster than traditional copper cables.

There’s also Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), which is a partial fibre connection. This still uses old copper broadband to make up part of its connection (from the cabinet to your house), so is much slower than full fibre. It is more widely accessible, with speeds up to 30 Mbps available to around 97% of premises in the UK. To put that speed into context, full fibre can hit speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

There’s also ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line), which uses copper cables to a street-level junction box, then on to the house. This is essentially a step up from dial-up. Speeds are far, far slower than fibre, and reliability is also patchy, with dropouts and buffering a recurring issue.

Still with us? Great. Onto the benefits of full fibre.

Advantages of full fibre broadband over copper cables

1. Ultra-fast speeds One of the big advantages of full fibre broadband is its incredible speed. You can enjoy symmetrical speeds, which means that both upload and download speeds are equally fast. That makes stuff like online gaming, video streaming, and uploading large files a breeze. So, you can say goodbye to buffering and lag.

2. Reliable performance Copper cables are vulnerable to interference and dropouts. Full fibre is virtually immune to those issues, providing a consistent and reliable connection – even if you live in the middle of nowhere.

3. Future-proof technology Full fibre broadband is ready to meet the demands of the future. Right now, it can easily handle emerging technologies like virtual reality, while streaming the in the highest definition is a doddle. Plus, with the old copper network being switched off in 2026, you’ll be ahead of the game.

4. Increased stability Full fibre is less affected by weather conditions and external factors that can disrupt copper cable connections. This means fewer outages and a more stable internet experience.

5. Low latency Gamers and video callers will appreciate the low latency offered by full fibre broadband. It ensures quick response times and seamless online interactions.

Can I get full fibre broadband?

It’s easy to find out: check here to see if you can get Hey!Broadband full fibre. Hey!Broadband’s network is expanding all the time, so even if you can’t get full fibre in your area right now, it’s worth signing up to get a notification when it’s available. Hey!Broadband also regularly update their fast fibre broadband deals. For other providers, simply visit their websites and punch in your postcode to check availability.

Should I get full fibre broadband?

Whether you work from home, have data-hungry kids in the house, or you just want more reliable, faster internet for the whole family, full fibre is the way to go (if it’s available in your area).

Of course, with all the benefits full fibre brings, you might be expecting to pay a premium. That depends on what speed you’re looking for and which provider you’re looking at. Typically, the best value full fibre deals will be with the smaller providers like Hey!Broadband who own their own networks and don’t need to rent from big networks.

With full fibre from Hey!Broadband, you can enjoy all the benefits of full fibre, and more. There are no mid-contract price hikes, plus if you’re stuck in a contract, Hey!Broadband might be able to help you switch for free.

In summary, with its superior speed and reliability, full fibre is a compelling choice for households everywhere. And soon, the only choice.

If you’re considering switching to fibre broadband or want to know about the options available to you, please call our friendly customer service team on 0808 168 1616 or email us at [email protected].