FTTC vs FTTP: What is the difference?

Fibre and full-fibre broadband deals, also known as fibre to the premises (FTTP) and fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), are some of the most sought after in the country, with the former being the fastest broadband connection in the UK. Our guide will cover everything you need to know about these two broadband solutions, including if they are available in your area.

FTTC broadband uses a combination of fibre optic and copper wires, while FTTP uses fibre optic exclusively. Fibre optic cables are more durable and reliable than copper wires, making FTTP the faster and more stable option.

The latest Ofcom report (1) claims that 57 per cent of households can access FTTP broadband, with plans to roll out full-fibre broadband to 85 per cent of UK premises by 2025 and 99 per cent by 2030 (2). Generally, FTTP is less available in rural areas due to a lack of infrastructure, meaning that some households will only have access to FTTC broadband or standard broadband (ADSL).

FTTC broadband uses fibre optic cables that connect to the cabinet in your street. From there, copper wires are routed into your home via a landline service to connect you to the internet. Copper wires are more susceptible to signal degradation and weather damage, with speeds reaching up to 80Mbps.

Most FTTC deals are classified as broadband and phone deals because they use copper wires. However, due to the upcoming PSTN switch off, some providers are phasing out landlines and replacing them with digital voice services.

FTTP only uses fibre optic cables, allowing for faster speeds than FTTC. FTTP deals can reach up to 1,000Mbps, depending on the provider. 

FTTP deals do not require a landline connection, but they can be found in many other formats, including broadband-only, broadband and TV and broadband, phone and TV packages.

We have outlined the various download and upload speeds you can expect with both FTTC and FTTP to give you a better understanding of which speeds are right for you.

Theoretically, FTTP connections can be symmetrical, meaning equal download and upload speeds. However, this highly depends on your internet service provider, with average upload speeds around 50-95 per cent slower than average download speeds.

It is important to know the minimum broadband speed to suit your needs so you don’t overspend. If you need a low-speed connection, you can invest in a cheaper package. However, investing in FTTP broadband might make sense if you need a faster connection. If you want to learn more about broadband speeds and how to measure them, consult our guide.

Our Home Tech Expert Gemma Ryles’ recommended broadband deal

Our home expert has found this fantastic deal from Virgin Media. While Virgin Media may not technically use FTTP or FTTC broadband, the speeds it offers are equivalent to full-fibre deals and can be bundled with phone, TV or SIM services at an additional cost. This M500 Fibre Broadband deal comes with average speeds of 516Mbps for just £35 per month, with absolutely no upfront fees.

Choosing between FTTC and FTTP may sound complicated, but your decision ultimately comes down to a few key factors.

In our survey, participants who identified as heavy broadband users for activities such as gaming, HD streaming and large downloads used FTTP broadband the most, at 57 per cent. Those with moderate habits (SD streaming and social media) used FTTC more, at 34 per cent. 

If your habits are moderate, opting for an FTTC package may be more affordable, as you likely don’t want to overspend on a service you won’t make the most of. For those working on a budget, FTTC is the better alternative, as FTTC broadband averages £47.94 per month compared to £54.26 for FTTP. 

You can always scale up later and invest in FTTP broadband for a luxury browsing experience.  However, don’t underestimate your internet needs, as that can lead to frustration.

Almost all the best broadband providers offer both FTTC and FTTP broadband to eligible customers. We have compiled a list of some of the most popular providers and included their top speeds to support you through your switching journey. 

We have also included an Independent Advisor Rating on the relevant providers. This score was calculated using our survey and data from Ofcom to give you a deeper insight into these companies and help you determine if they are right for you.

Sources

Survey of broadband customers aged between 24 and 64 conducted on Censuswide, 11-14 March 2024. Survey sample: 2,003 respondents, totalling Sky (489), BT Broadband (412), Virgin Media (396), EE (134), Vodafone (124), Other (102), Plusnet (66), NOW Broadband (45), Three (31), Hyperoptic (14), Community Fibre (8), Unsure (7). Respondents who selected Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Other or Unsure were discarded from our review. Respondents were asked to rate each category on a five-point scale, from Very Poor to Excellent or from Never to Always, with the option of selecting Don’t Know for each question. For the third question (‘What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider?’), respondents could select from the following: Price Hikes, Slow Speeds, High Prices, Frequent Disconnections, Poor Customer Service, Billing Issues, Other and N/A. The questions used to calculate our score were ‘How often, if at all, do you feel the actual speed of your broadband service matches the advertised speed?’, ‘How would you rate your experience with customer service and support from your broadband provider?’, ‘What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider? (Select all that apply)’, ‘How easy or difficult is it/would it be to reach your provider using your preferred method?’, ‘How do you rate the value for money of your broadband service?’ and ‘How would you rate the transparency of pricing and additional fees in your broadband service?’.

1. Ofcom, Connected Nations UK Report 2023 
2. UK Parliament, Getting better broadband