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Looking for the best broadband deals in Bristol can be tricky, which is why our expert team has created this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re looking for an ultrafast broadband connection to stream video content or working on a budget, our guide will help you find the best broadband package for your Bristol household.
Bristol has access to a large pool of broadband providers, including four of the UK’s largest companies: BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk. However, smaller companies also operate within the region, so it’s crucial to check deals from multiple providers to find the best price.
We surveyed over 2,000* people to better understand how they feel about their broadband services.
Customers are most satisfied with these providers:
Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers a variety of packages with no installation fee. Its ultrafast full fibre broadband service comes with speeds as high as 1,130Mbps, with optional TV packages also available.
Sky Broadband
Sky does not offer its full fibre service to everyone living in Bristol, but its superfast packages are supported in most postcodes. The company offers broadband and TV deals, which include a subscription to Sky TV and Netflix.
TalkTalk
TalkTalk doesn’t serve the entirety of Bristol, but eligible households are provided with full fibre broadband at speeds as high as 944Mbps. The company offers Wifi 6 routers for improved connectivity, with most plans being half price for the first six months of the contract.
BT Broadband
BT offers both broadband only and broadband and phone deals, with speeds capping out at 900Mbps. Select full fibre packages also come with 12 months’ access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for no extra charge.
Plusnet
Plusnet offers speeds up to 900Mbps for eligible postcodes with no activation fee for most of its packages. Plusnet doesn’t offer TV bundles and is starting to phase out its phone deals. However, if your home does require a landline, the company has digital phone options.
NOW Broadband
NOW doesn’t serve every area in Bristol, so we recommend checking your postcode on the company’s website. NOW sets itself apart by offering traditional contracts alongside no-contract broadband offers, which come with a £60 activation fee. Eligible households can also take advantage of its TV packages, which include a NOW Entertainment membership for an additional £6.99 per month.
Hyperoptic
As a smaller provider, Hyperoptic doesn’t serve every area in Bristol. However, select postcodes can benefit from broadband-only and broadband and phone deals, with speeds as high as 900Mbps.
Vodafone
Vodafone offers free installation of its full fibre broadband for selected customers. Vodafone Xtra customers are provided with 24 months of Apple TV+ and can choose between broadband-only and broadband and landline bundles.
Not every broadband provider will offer adequate speeds, packages or prices. To help you find the best broadband provider for your needs, use our postcode checker.
Here’s what we think are the key factors to consider when looking for a broadband provider in Bristol.
Speed for Bristol areas
Broadband speeds will vary significantly depending on your postcode, so it’s vital to use a speed checker. A household with more people who stream content online will require a faster broadband connection than someone living alone. To find out what broadband speeds you need and how to measure them, check out our guide.
Price of the deal
Depending on what package you want, you may not be able to find the most affordable deal. Most contracts have a monthly fee and may include one-off charges, such as an installation fee. Consider how much you’re willing to budget for broadband, and compare multiple providers to find the best price.
Contract length
While most broadband contracts are paid over 12-, 24- or 36-month periods, some providers offer monthly rollover or no-contract deals. These will be preferable for those renting in Bristol, as the service can be cancelled much more easily than a traditional contract.
Provider reputation
It’s crucial to research a broadband provider before entering into a contract with the company, even if it has been operating for a long time. Check recent reviews to ensure the provider is reliable and offers a consistently good experience.
Provider customer service
Effective customer service can be essential if something goes wrong with your broadband. Features such as a customer support line or an online chat feature can make solving the problem much easier and less stressful.
Do you need a wifi booster for your area with that provider?
A wifi booster can help extend broadband coverage in your home; ideally, you should partner with a provider that offers comprehensive coverage to avoid investing in additional hardware. Input your Bristol postcode into a speed checker to assess which broadband providers will best suit your household.
The speed of your broadband connection in Bristol will vary significantly depending on your postcode, with some areas having faster speeds than others.
According to Speedtest.net, the average broadband speed in Bristol is 107Mbps.
Using Ofcom’s speed checker, we calculated the average superfast broadband speed for different areas of Bristol. These results will be much lower for households without access to superfast or ultrafast gigabit broadband connections.
| Area in Bristol | Average broadband speed |
|---|---|
| Bristol West | 80Mbps |
| Bristol East | 82Mbps |
| Bristol South | 80Mbps |
| Bristol North West | 66Mbps |
Bristol residents have access to the four most common types of broadband. However, some types may not be available in your area. According to an Openreach report from November 2023, 65 per cent of Bristol can access fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband, which is the fastest internet solution in the UK. The company plans to roll out further full fibre support across the city, which will give more residents and businesses access to faster internet speeds.
Bristol is supported by a number of broadband providers, allowing residents to pick among multiple connection options. Not every broadband provider in your area will offer the same services, making it important to check which option you want before committing to a contract.
You can boost your broadband speed in Bristol by placing your router in a neutral location that allows it to reach all areas of the home. Ensure your router is regularly updated and disconnect any unused devices to help boost speeds. If you are struggling with speeds in specific rooms in your home, consider investing in a wifi booster.
If you want to regularly stream video content or video games online, you will require a fast broadband connection. Overall, speeds between 20 and 30 Mbps are suitable, however, speeds of 50Mbps or above are ideal, especially if you hope to stream in HDR or 4K.
Depending on where you live in Bristol, you may have access to the fastest type of broadband. The average speed of broadband in the UK is 69Mbps, according to an Ofcom report, while the average speed of broadband in Bristol sits at 107Mbps. This roughly matches the average speeds of broadband services in London.
Over 145,000 Bristol homes and businesses can order FTTP broadband, which provides the best speeds. Households without access to FTTP will likely experience slower speeds, which could put them below the UK average.
