Fast and reliable broadband is essential these days. Whether you're streaming movies, playing games, working from home, or using smart devices, having a good online connection makes everything easier. It is crucial to understand the importance of broadband, what it is, how it works and how you can use it in everyday life.

What is Broadband Speed?

Broadband speed measures how quickly you can download and upload data on the internet. It's measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). The speed you need depends on your online activity and what you use the internet for. Let’s explain what download and upload speeds are:

• Download Speed: This is how fast data comes from the internet to your device.
• Upload Speed: This is how fast data goes from your device to the internet.
• Latency: This is the delay before data starts moving, which is important for things like gaming and video calls. Usually, a rule of thumb, the higher your broadband speed the lower latency you should have (less delay in data transfers) and the quicker you can download and upload data.

Types of Broadband and Their Speeds

Different types of broadband connections offer various speeds. Here's a look at the main types:

1. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line):

   • Speeds: Up to 24 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload.
   • Usage: Suitable for basic browsing, emailing, and light streaming. ADSL broadband is a connection that is made of entirely copper cables which aren’t designed for fast data transfers.

2. Cable Broadband:

   • Speeds: 50-500 Mbps download, 10-50 Mbps upload.
   • Usage: Good for streaming HD/4K videos, gaming, and moderate multi-device usage.

3. FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet):

   • Speeds: Up to 80 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload.
   • Usage: Ideal for HD streaming, online gaming, and working from home. This is where the cable from the data exchange (where your broadband connection initially starts) to the green cabinet you may see in your area is made of fibre optic glass. The cable from the green cabinet to your premise is made of slow copper.

4. Full Fibre (FTTP, Fibre to the Premises):

   • Speeds: 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps (or higher) download and upload.
   • Usage: Perfect for Ultra HD streaming, heavy gaming, large file transfers, and extensive smart home setups. This is where the entire connection from the data exchange to your premise is made of fibre optic cables meaning that data can be transferred much quicker! If you want to know how fibre optic cables work, you can check out our separate blog post about it!

5. Satellite Broadband:

   • Speeds: 25-100 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload.
   • Usage: Best for rural areas with no other options; suitable for basic browsing and light streaming. Satellite broadband uses (you guessed it) satellites to transmit your data. Due to the lack of infrastructure require, this is an attractive option for rural areas but often comes with unreliability and a patchy connection.

6. Mobile Broadband (4G/5G):

   • Speeds: 4G: 20-50 Mbps, 5G: 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
   • Usage: Great for on-the-go internet, streaming, and gaming.

Understanding Different Broadband Speeds

Let’s break down what you can do with different broadband speeds:

1. 10-25 Mbps: Basic Speed

   • What You Can Do: Browse the web, check emails, and stream music.
   • Good For: One person or a small household with light internet use. You can watch videos in standard definition (SD), but HD videos might buffer.

2. 25-50 Mbps: Moderate Speed

   • What You Can Do: Stream HD videos, play online games, and have video calls.
   • Good For: Small families with a few devices. You can stream HD videos smoothly and have decent gaming and video call experiences.

3. 50-100 Mbps: High Speed

   • What You Can Do: Stream HD videos, play games, and work from home.
   • Good For: Families with multiple users and devices. You can stream HD videos on several devices, download large files, and have smooth video calls.

4. 100-500 Mbps: Very High Speed

   • What You Can Do: Stream Ultra HD (4K) videos, play heavy games, and transfer large files.
   • Good For: Larger households or heavy internet users. You can stream 4K videos on multiple devices, have fast downloads and uploads, and enjoy low-latency gaming.

5. 500 Mbps - 1 Gbps: Ultra High Speed

   • What You Can Do: Stream 4K/8K videos, use virtual reality (VR), and connect many smart home devices.
   • Good For: Homes with lots of devices and heavy internet use. You can future-proof your home and handle any high-demand applications easily.

6. Above 1 Gbps: Gigabit Speeds

   • What You Can Do: Handle advanced tasks like remote work with large files, professional video editing, and cloud computing.
   • Good For: Tech enthusiasts and small businesses needing very fast and reliable internet.

Why Full Fibre Broadband?

Full fibre broadband, also called Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), uses fibre optic cables directly to your home or business. This has many benefits over older types of connections that use copper wires.

Here are some of the benefits of full fibre broadband:

• Speed: Full fibre can offer very high speeds, often 1 Gbps or more, for both downloads and uploads.
• Reliability: It’s less likely to have problems and provides a stable connection.
• Future-Proof: It can handle increasing internet demands, so it will stay fast as your needs grow.

Popular Questions About Full Fibre Broadband Answered

1. What is full fibre broadband and how does it work?

Full fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables from the provider directly to your home. This keeps speeds high and connections reliable, unlike older systems that use copper wires for part of the journey.

2. How is full fibre broadband different from regular broadband?

Full fibre uses fibre optic cables all the way, while regular broadband often uses a mix of fibre and copper. Full fibre gives faster, more reliable speeds.

3. Do I need special equipment for full fibre broadband?

Yes, you’ll need a fibre-compatible router, which your internet provider usually supplies.

4. Is full fibre broadband available in my area?

Availability varies. Check with local providers to see if full fibre is available where you live. You can even check your postcode on our website to see if you’re available on our website!

5. How can I benefit from upgrading to full fibre broadband?

Upgrading gives you faster speeds, more reliable connections, and the ability to use many devices at once without slowing down.

Download Speeds: How Long It Takes to Download Different Files

To help you understand how broadband speed affects download times, here’s a table showing how long it takes to download different file sizes at various speeds:

| File Size | 10 Mbps | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 1 Gbps | |--------------------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|--------| | 5 MB (e.g., song) | 4 seconds | 2 seconds | 1 second | <1 second | <1 second | <1 second | | 50 MB (e.g., app) | 40 seconds | 16 seconds | 8 seconds | 4 seconds | <1 second | <1 second | | 500 MB (e.g., SD movie) | 7 minutes | 3 minutes | 1.5 minutes | 40 seconds | 8 seconds | 4 seconds | | 2 GB (e.g., HD movie) | 27 minutes | 11 minutes | 5.5 minutes | 2.5 minutes | 40 seconds | 20 seconds | | 10 GB (e.g., 4K movie) | 2.2 hours | 53 minutes | 27 minutes | 13 minutes | 2.5 minutes | 1.25 minutes |

Choosing the Right Broadband Speed for Your Needs

To find the right speed for your home, think about these things:

• Number of Users: More people and devices need more speed.
• Types of Activities: Streaming, gaming, and video calls need higher speeds than just browsing and emailing.
• Future Needs: Getting a higher speed now can prepare you for future internet use.

Here are some example scenarios to help you decide:

• Single User, Light Usage: 25-50 Mbps is enough for basic activities.
• Family with Moderate Usage: 100-200 Mbps supports streaming, gaming, and remote work for several people.
• Tech-Savvy Household: 500 Mbps or more is great for heavy use, multiple 4K streams, and lots of smart devices.

Conclusion

Understanding broadband speeds helps you choose the right internet plan for your needs. Full fibre broadband offers the best speeds, reliability, and is ready for the future. Whether you just browse the web or have a house full of devices, there’s a broadband speed that fits your lifestyle. Invest in full fibre broadband to enjoy a seamless online experience now and in the future.