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Residents of Sheffield have plenty of broadband deals to choose from. To help you find the best one for your needs, our expert team investigated some of the most popular broadband providers in the area, the best types of broadband connections available and some key factors to consider when deciding on a new deal.
All the largest broadband providers operate in Sheffield, and most offer ultrafast full fibre broadband deals. To better understand each company and how it operates, we have ranked each eligible provider using our Independent Advisor rating derived from our survey of over 2,000 broadband customers[1].
Sky is one of the biggest broadband providers in the UK. Operating from Greater London, Sky provides ultrafast full fibre broadband speeds of up to 900Mbps and offers multiple TV packages with TV, film and sports channels.
BT offers a range of speeds for Sheffield residents, including full fibre broadband speeds of up to 900Mbps. Eligible postcodes can look for packages with landline services and TV, which include both Netflix and NOW TV.
NOW Broadband does not serve every area in Sheffield, so we recommend using our postcode checker to ensure your household can access the provider’s deals. Eligible homes can benefit from NOW’s no-contract broadband deals, which include a £10 activation fee (which is sometimes discounted) and various landline packages.
Plusnet does not offer any TV bundles or landline services, so is only appropriate for households that want broadband-only.
First-time Vodafone mobile customers receive a monthly discount on their broadband, and the provider offers TV and landline bundles. Eligible customers can get Vodafone’s full fibre broadband – with speeds capped at 910Mbps – installed for free.
Depending on where you live in Sheffield, TalkTalk offers speeds of up to 944Mbps. The company also offers its own routers and wifi 6-compatible routers for increased speed. Eligible postcodes can access TV and landline bundles.
Virgin Media offers speeds of up to 1,130Mbps, although maximum speeds differ depending on the region. Sheffield residents can take advantage of the provider’s fibre broadband deals and TV, SIM and film packages.
POP Telecom uses the Openreach network to provide broadband in some areas of Sheffield. Depending on their postcode, residents can receive ultrafast full fibre broadband deals and landline and TV bundles.
Sheffield residents can choose between three broadband packages: broadband only, broadband and phone, and broadband and TV. Your choice will depend on your needs, although it is important to note that broadband providers don’t offer the same services in every area.
The best broadband provider won’t be the same for everyone, so you need to consider a few key factors before committing to a package or company. Below are some of the most important factors to think about when looking for a broadband provider in Sheffield.
Each broadband provider offers different speeds, coverage and packages, depending on your postcode, so you will need to ensure your preferred provider offers adequate speeds to your household. For example, those living in a larger home who want to stream TV or video games will require a faster broadband connection than someone living alone. Find out the broadband speeds you need and run a broadband speed test to determine if you need an upgrade.
If you are working with a tight budget, you may need to opt for a slower broadband connection. Most broadband deals are paid via a monthly contract, and some companies require a one-off installation fee. You will need to find a balance between getting the right speeds for your household and complying with your budget.
Most broadband providers offer 12-, 24- or 36-month contracts. Longer contracts are usually more cost-effective but less suitable for residents living in rented accommodation. Some companies offer monthly rollover or no-contract deals, which will be preferable for those who cannot commit to a year-long contract – but be aware that these tend to come with much higher monthly payments.
Ensure you are working with a reputable provider by researching the company and reading its customer reviews. Even if you are considering a provider that has been operating for a long time, recent customer testimonials can offer insight into the quality and reliability of its service.
In our survey, we asked broadband customers how they felt about their broadband service, including the value they felt they received for the money they spent and the providers’ customer service, as well as speed, reliability and more. We used this information to assess the best broadband providers.
Effective customer service is essential. Whether you are having issues with your router or your speeds are slower than advertised, access to a dedicated customer support line or an online chat feature can make resolving the problem much easier and less stressful.
Wifi boosters extend broadband coverage to low-signal areas within the home. While wifi boosters are helpful, you should ideally invest in a package that does not require one. Check your Sheffield postcode to ensure you won’t need a wifi booster with your new provider.
As part of our survey, we asked broadband customers in Sheffield how satisfied they were with their connection. Compared to the UK average of 39.69 per cent, 42.86 per cent of Sheffield broadband users said they were “very satisfied” with their current provider.
However, only 30.95 per cent of customers in Sheffield were “very satisfied” with the speed of their broadband, which is lower than the 33.35 per cent nationwide average.
If you are unhappy with your broadband speeds, contact your broadband provider. If your speeds are slower than advertised, you may be able to leave your contract early – free of charge. Slow speeds may also indicate that it is time to switch broadband providers. Some companies may provide a better service or a faster connection type, such as full fibre broadband.
We also asked customers what they thought about the quality of their current broadband provider. Just 17.86 per cent believed their provider offered “excellent” value for money.
Sheffield has a wide range of broadband speeds available. Your broadband speed will depend on your provider, the package you choose and the area you live in, with some regions having access to higher speeds.
According to the Ofcom mobile and broadband checker tool, the average broadband speed in Sheffield is 81Mbps.
Using Ofcom’s mobile and broadband checker tool, we calculated the average superfast broadband speed for different regions of Sheffield. These results will be significantly lower for households that do not have access to ultrafast gigabit broadband.
| Area in Sheffield | Average broadband speed |
|---|---|
| City | 50Mbps |
| Stocksbridge and Upper Don | 33Mbps |
| Stannington | 80Mbps |
| Fulwood | 80Mbps |
| Dore and Totley | 63Mbps |
| Ecclesall | 79Mbps |
| Crookes | 88Mbps |
| Darnhall | 80Mbps |
| West Ecclesfield | 81Mbps |
| East Eccelesfield | 80Mbps |
| Shiregreen and Brightside | 80Mbps |
| Walkley | 82Mbps |
| Hillsborough | 80Mbps |
| Richmond | 76Mbps |
| Woodhouse | 85Mbps |
| Birley | 59Mbps |
| Beighton | 62Mbps |
| Mosborough | 54Mbps |
| Manor Castle | 51Mbps |
Sheffield has access to various types of broadband. Fibre to the premises (FTTP) is the fastest type of broadband available, but not every house has the same support or coverage.
According to a Virgin Media report, over 20,000 homes and businesses in Sheffield have access to full fibre broadband, with speeds as high as 1,130Mbps.
[1] Independent Advisor survey of over 2,000 broadband customers aged between 24 and 64 conducted on Censuswide on 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 were asked to rate each category on a five-point scale from “Very Poor” to “Excellent” or from “Never” to “Always,” with the option to select “Don’t Know” for all questions. 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?” “How would you rate the transparency of pricing and additional fees in your broadband service?”[2] Virgin Media: Virgin Media gigabit broadband now available to 20,000 homes in Sheffield for first time, 26 October 2023.
Ensuring your router is placed where it can reach all areas of your home will improve your broadband speed and help avoid low-signal zones. Disconnect devices you are not using and update your router when necessary. If you are still struggling with your broadband, consider purchasing a wifi booster to increase coverage in your home.
Households that regularly stream content online – whether video games or media content – will require a faster broadband connection for a consistent experience. Speeds between 20 and 30Mbps are ideal for streaming, although broadband speeds of 50Mbps and above will give you the best results, especially if you want to stream content in 4K or HDR.
No, the area with the fastest broadband speeds in the UK is Hull; due to its unusual broadband infrastructure, Hull’s primary provider, KCOM, provides the entire city with a fibre-optic connection, resulting in faster and more reliable speeds.
The number of homes in Sheffield with access to FTTP broadband is growing, and CityFibre plans to connect a significant amount of the city by 2026. This will allow more residents and businesses to access the fastest type of broadband.
