Full-fibre broadband provider BeFibre has one mission: to bring reasonably priced, high-speed internet to rural areas.
You’ll find it in small towns and villages all over England, offering ultrafast speeds up to an incredible 900Mbps.
So if you’re out in the sticks and can’t get the download speeds you want from Openreach, BeFibre could be the solution.
Why choose BeFibre broadband?
BeFibre runs its own full fibre (FTTP, or fibre-to-the-premises) broadband network, offering ultrafast download speeds and a reliable line. Because it’s independent, it’s able to serve areas not yet reached by Openreach’s fastest speeds (and providers that use it, such as BT, Sky, and TalkTalk).
It’s committed to offering that at a low cost – with competitive monthly prices, no upfront fees, and a promise of no mid-contract price hikes, which are common with most providers.
It’s all broadband-only – a landline connection is entirely optional.
That also means its choice of packages is simple and straightforward, though it doesn’t offer as many options as bigger providers do.
The other main downside is that BeFibre isn’t available everywhere. That’s worth bearing in mind if you expect to move house soon, as you could be on the hook for exit fees if you're still in contract and it’s not available at your new postcode.
Pros of BeFibre
- Ultrafast full fibre: Get some of the fastest speeds on the market, up to 900Mbps
- Competitive prices: Monthly costs stand up very well against other providers, especially for BeFibre’s top packages
- No need for a phone line: All packages are broadband-only, though you have the option to add a phone line if you need it
- No in-contract price hikes: As long as you’re still within the minimum terms of your contract, your bill won’t increase, even with inflation
- Free setup and installation: There are no upfront fees – all you need to pay is your monthly bill
- Contract buyout scheme: If you want to switch to BeFibre but are still in contract with your current broadband provider, BeFibre may be able to contribute to pay off the exit fees. Read more on BeFibre's website
Cons of BeFibre
- Limited availability: You’ll only find BeFibre in select towns and villages, mostly in rural areas
- Limited customer service hours: Its phone lines aren’t active at all in evenings or on Sundays
- Limited choice: Only a very small number of packages are available, with few bundling options – you can’t get a TV package, for example
How fast is BeFibre broadband?
BeFibre is currently available in three average download speeds:
- 150Mbps – Plenty of speed for the average household, especially if you like to stream video or work from home
- 500Mbps – An impressive package, perfect for guaranteeing enough bandwidth for all kinds of work and entertainment
- 900Mbps – The speediest option of all, for those who rely on the best broadband you can get
BeFibre bundling options
BeFibre’s main gig is ultrafast broadband, on its own with nothing else. But if you want a little extra, you can choose the following add-ons:
- Phone line – If you want a landline, you can add on BeFibre’s VoIP-based home phone system – meaning it works via your internet connection
- BeBoost – This add-on is designed to give your Wi-Fi a boost, with a special mesh router to make sure you can get online wirelessly from anywhere in your home
- Static IP – A static IP is a feature usually reserved for business broadband customers, vital for tasks such as hosting a server
If you can’t get BeFibre…
Not in a BeFibre postcode? There’s a very good chance you can connect to the Openreach network, which gives you access to broadband from providers such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, or Vodafone. Virgin Media may also be an option.
All of those offer ultrafast speeds – though, again, only if you’re in a connected area. Other ultrafast full fibre provider with independent networks include Hyperoptic, Trooli, and Cuckoo.
If it’s the price point making BeFibre appealing, keep an eye out for deals from other budget providers, such as TalkTalk, Plusnet, and NOW.
On the other hand, if you were hoping for a provider that also offers TV packages, you’re better off looking at Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone, or NOW.