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Picking the right broadband deal comes down to a couple of factors, with one of the most important considerations being speed. Knowing your current speed is the first step to knowing if you need an upgrade or can even save money by downscaling.
We ran a survey with over 2,000[1] broadband customers to find out more about the country’s internet habits. We have used these insights throughout this article to shed light on the best speeds for your household.
Our experts have explained how to test your broadband speed, what affects broadband speed and what speeds you need for your household.
Conducting a speed test will tell you what upload and download speeds you are currently receiving. Put simply, the higher the numbers, the faster your broadband connection is.
For the best results, follow our step-by-step guide:
Once you know what speeds you’re currently receiving, you can check whether they are on par with the speeds advertised in your package. If they are much lower, contact your broadband provider: you may be eligible for a refund, or have the right to terminate your contract without an exit fee.
Internet speed tests measure your connection in megabits per second or Mbps.
If your broadband speed is fast enough, it can also be measured in gigabits per second, or Gbps. One gigabit per is made up of 1,000 megabits.
The higher your Mbps, the faster your broadband connection. A deal with 500Mbps is faster than 50Mbps and will allow for a more seamless connection.
Download speeds concern how quickly you can access files or content online. Checking emails, streaming videos and online gaming come from download speeds.
Upload speeds, however, control how quickly you can upload files to the web. Posting pictures and your side of a video call are all governed by your upload speed.
Broadband packages usually advertise download speeds more prominently than upload speeds since download speeds are usually more important.
You should consider both when comparing broadband deals. Most deals have much lower upload speeds than download speeds, although some boast symmetrical speeds, in which the upload and download speeds are equal. This is only possible with full fibre broadband and is important for those looking for business broadband deals.
Your broadband speed availability will be determined by where you live. The latest Ofcom report[2] revealed that 59 per cent of urban households have access to full fibre. Rural communities have less availability, at just 42 per cent.
This occurs since broadband infrastructure is more plentiful in well-populated areas. Openreach[3] is working on this issue, pledging to deliver gigabit-capable to 85 per cent of the country by 2025.
We asked our survey respondents about their broadband speed to give you a better understanding of what’s available in each area. You can see the average advertised and actual broadband speed patterns in your area below.
Broadband gaming deals offer speeds of 100Mbps or above. This is enough for 4K and HDR streaming with no buffering.
Depending on the game, you may be able to get away with speeds as low as 25Mbps. For a seamless and lag-free experience, however, you should always aim higher if you plan to frequently game online.
Streaming video content doesn’t require the same speeds as gaming.
Watching a video in HD can use as little as 10Mbps, although for a more stable connection, or if you want to stream in 4K, you will want speeds of up to 35Mbps.
Remember you will need faster speeds if other people are using your network simultaneously, especially if they are engaging in internet-intensive activities like online gaming.
Multiple factors can impact your broadband speeds. Some issues can be alleviated by changing your habits, while others will be out of your control.
While occasional speed drops occur, you may have to switch broadband providers if you consistently see lower-than-normal speeds.
Here are some common issues which may cause your broadband speeds to drop which you can resolve at home.
More connected devices can cause network congestion and slower speeds. Check how many devices are connected to your network and disconnect any that you don’t need or recognise.
Newer routers can access 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands for improved speeds. Consider upgrading your router to experience faster speeds.
Some broadband providers use internet service provider (ISP) throttling or fair usage policies. These will actively slow down your connection at peak times if you are deemed to be using too much bandwidth. With uncommon, check the terms and conditions of your contract to see if you are being restricted by ISP throttling.
Physical objects and electrical devices that emit wireless signals can cause interference between your devices and router. Ensure your router is placed in a central location and away from obstructions.
Some older devices will not be compatible with newer routers that use wifi 6. If you are only experiencing slow speeds on certain devices then it’s a device issue, not a broadband issue.
Some factors affecting broadband speed cannot be solved at home. We have briefly outlined some of these issues below.
If your broadband speed is consistently slow, you must contact your broadband provider.
Depending on your provider, there are different courses of action you can take. Providers following Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice[5] – which includes BT, EE, NOW, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media – have protections in place to ensure you’re not paying for a shoddy service.
When signing up for a deal, you will be given a minimum speed guarantee. If you are not hitting that minimum speed and your provider cannot fix it, you will be eligible to leave your contract without paying an exit fee.
If your broadband provider is not working with Ofcom, check your contract for minimum speed guarantee terms and contact them with your issue to help get it resolved.
Most broadband providers offer full fibre broadband, which can reach speeds over 1,000Mbps.
Using our postcode checker is the best way to find out which broadband providers operate in your area. If speed is a priority, filter your results to “Speed (High to Low)” to find the fastest deals available to you.
The needs of every household are different and will depend on a few factors.
Our survey revealed that heavy internet users – those who game, stream in 4K and download large files – use full fibre more than any other group, at 57 per cent. On the other hand, low-usage households use standard broadband more often, at 35 per cent.
To shed more light on what broadband speed you need, our experts have run through what you need based on household size and internet usage.
[1] Survey of broadband customers aged between 24-64 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 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 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] Ofcom, Connected Nations UK Report 2023, December 2023
[3] Openreach, Our Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband Build Plans, May 2023
[4] Ofcom, Broadband speeds: what you need to know, November 2022
[5] Ofcom, Broadband speeds: what you need to know, November 2022
If you are struggling with a particularly slow connection, you can consult our guide on how to improve your broadband speed.
Always make sure to contact your broadband provider if you’re suffering from inconsistent speeds. If they cannot help, you may be able to leave your contract early.
You will need fast download speeds if you live in a house with multiple people and frequently engage in heavy usage applications, such as online gaming.
Take a look at the section above to find out which speeds are suitable for your household.
