ADSL and fibre are the two most common types of internet connection and they serve most homes in the UK. Fibre broadband is fast becoming the go-to choice for new broadband connections thanks to its fast speeds and ever-increasing availability. Fibre is however still only available in around 90% of UK households.
What is ADSL broadband?
ADSL is a service that is provided using existing BT phone lines. ADSL stands for ‘Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line’. ADSL broadband works through a fixed-line access network, otherwise known as telephone lines in the street. These are made up of copper wires and exchange a series of digital messages which translates the information you receive. These messages are split into either phone or internet signals using a microfilter, which is a small box that fits into the main BT socket in your home.
ADSL is not as fast as fibre, but it is still a reliable choice. The speed you receive will depend on your distance from the telephone exchange, so those who live closer will likely get a faster connection. The age and health of the copper wires providing your connection can also play a part in connection speed.
What is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is a type of high-speed broadband. Fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables, which are better at transferring data than standard copper cables. When you perform a task online, light bounces and pulses through the tubes to push your data through the network. A fibre connection also tends to be more reliable, so is ideal for busy households where everyone is online at the same time using lots of different devices.
What is full-fibre broadband?
Full fibre broadband is known by many names, including True Fibre, Fibre to the Premises or Fibre to the Home. This means that fibre optic cabling is used from the local exchange, all the way to the end-user premises, relying on no copper-based telephone lines.
Full fibre is the future of broadband, a technology that is guaranteed to see users through the 2025 Switch Off and beyond. FTTP is a Single Order broadband product, meaning no WLR is required as it does not utilise the traditional copper telephony network at all.
A pure fibre connection can achieve gigabit speeds, making it the fastest broadband technology available today. For both business and residential customers, broadband is one of the most important services they rely on, whether it’s for entertainment such as streaming and gaming, or for essential systems that keep a company running. As our digital lives evolve, we are all becoming more aware than ever of the effects of poor connectivity, which is why FTTP is the number one solution that everyone should be looking to move to once it becomes available to them; not only will the higher speeds and lower contention transform the way they use the internet, but it will also future proof their home or business long past the Great Switch Off.
Should you upgrade to fibre broadband?
A common question that gets asked is does fibre broadband make a difference? Well, if you’re in a shared house or have a family, you’re probably using more than one device to connect to the internet. Now imagine the same thing happening in homes across the country at specific times of the day. Connecting to your home broadband at peak times could mean slower download speeds.
Imagine if you’re in the middle of downloading some critical files for work and your connection is slow. And if you’re streaming, you might feel you’re falling behind all your friends who’ve seen the latest must-see TV. If this is something that sounds familiar, then fibre broadband might be right for you.
The increasing demand for streaming services, smart homes, gaming and video calls means we need more data than ever before. Faster connectivity in homes will mean that it is quicker to play online games, download films and music or use streaming services.
If fibre broadband is available in your postcode, switching to it is easier than you may think. Head over to our pricing page and take a look at our 1Gbps plan.