Fibre-optic broadband is generally faster and more reliable than ADSL, and more widely available than cable – but do you need it?
What is fibre-optic broadband?
The latest advancement in broadband technology, fibre-optic broadband is promising super-fast speeds for all of your daily internet needs.
Its name comes from the use of plastic or glass cables, which allow for faster data transfer compared to the standard copper wires which are used in regular broadband connections.
What other types of broadband can you get?
Depending on the provider you choose, your alternatives to fibre-optic broadband are either ADSL or cable.
ADSL: The most commonly available type of broadband in the UK, ADSL stands for asymmetric digital subscriber line. While it’s generally easier to find than fibre-optic, it offers slower download speeds of around 10Mb/s – while fibre can provide speeds starting from around 50 to 100Mb/s
Cable: Cable internet offers faster speeds than ADSL, often closer to the speeds offered by fibre optic. However cable is only available to around half the country, and around 80% of the country can access fibre-optic broadband
Do I need fibre-optic broadband?
Fibre-optic broadband is useful as it’s quicker and more stable than ADSL, and more widely available than cable – however it’s more expensive than both, and still not accessible to all of the UK.
If your area can access fibre-optic broadband, think about the kind of internet user you are as this can help you decide if it’s worthwhile.
Data collected by Lightspeed/Mintel in January 2019, accurate as of May 2019
What type of internet user am I?
The way you use the internet is likely to depend on a number of factors, but you can loosely categorise people into either light, medium or heavy users.
Light users: Light internet users generally just use the web for everyday tasks like checking emails, banking or occasionally using social media
Medium users: Medium internet users are on the web more often, regularly browsing social media or other websites and occasionally streaming video or audio
Heavy users: Heavy internet users are the group most likely to benefit from fibre-optic broadband, as the high speeds ensure fewer interruptions when gaming, streaming and downloading video or audio or sharing files
Do I need unlimited broadband?
If you’re a heavy internet user, you might also benefit from an unlimited downloads broadband deal. Most providers offer this as standard but not all – so it’s worth keeping an eye out to make sure you don’t hit a download cap when you’ve still got things to do online.
Data collected by Lightspeed/Mintel in January 2019, accurate as of May 2019
What else affects the speed of my broadband?
Aside from the type of connection you have, your download speeds are also likely to be affected by other people on your connection, devices in your home or the technology being used.
- People or devices using your connection: The more people using or the more devices connected to your broadband, the more bandwidth is being used up – which means the overall connection speed will go down
- Electrical devices in your home: Electrical devices, even those not connected to the internet, may still cause interference with your broadband – so keep these as far away from your router as possible
- Quality of hardware: Old routers and cables, or those in bad condition, can also contribute to slower internet speeds – it might be worth asking your provider for an upgrade if it’s available
- Viruses and malware: Your computer might be slow in browsing the web if it’s got a virus or malware installed – try scanning your computer with anti-virus software
- Weather conditions: Stormy weather can affect phone lines, while underground cables can be damaged in freezing temperatures
- Time of day: During peak internet use hours, usually between 6 and 11pm, it’s normal to see slower broadband speeds
MoneySuperMarket also offer a broadband speed checker tool, so you can see what kind of download speeds you’re getting and whether they match what your provider has promised.
Compare fibre-optic broadband deals
Comparing broadband tariffs on MoneySuperMarket is the best way to find a cheaper deal on fibre-optic broadband.
Just tell us your postcode and a little about the kind of connection you want, including minimum download speeds, limited or unlimited usage and whether you want any other services included.
We’ll show you a list of deals available in your area, and once you’ve found the one you want just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.