1. Broadband & Internet Basics in the UK
Broadband is the high-speed internet connection that businesses and homes rely on daily. In the UK, the broadband market has evolved significantly from dial-up connections in the 1990s to today's ultrafast fibre networks.
What is Broadband?
Broadband refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up. The term "broadband" means the connection can carry multiple signals and traffic types simultaneously.
Ofcom (the UK communications regulator) defines "decent broadband" as a download speed of at least 10 Mbps and upload speed of at least 1 Mbps. However, modern business requirements typically far exceed this minimum.
Key Terms You Need to Know
- Download Speed: How quickly data comes to you (measured in Mbps or Gbps)
- Upload Speed: How quickly you can send data (crucial for cloud backups, video calls)
- Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time
- Latency: The delay before a transfer of data begins (important for VoIP and gaming)
- Contention Ratio: How many users share the same connection (e.g., 50:1 means up to 50 users share bandwidth)
Why Broadband Matters for Business
Modern businesses depend on reliable, fast internet for cloud services, video conferencing, VoIP telephony, file sharing, and customer communications. Poor broadband can directly impact productivity and customer service. Speak to Comms Source about upgrading your business connectivity.
2. How Broadband Works
Understanding how broadband reaches your customer's premises helps you troubleshoot issues and set realistic expectations.
The Broadband Journey
- Internet Backbone: High-capacity fibre optic cables connect major cities and countries
- Local Exchange: Your local telephone exchange (managed by Openreach in most areas)
- Distribution Network: Cables run from the exchange through street cabinets to premises
- Last Mile: The final connection into the building (copper, fibre, or coaxial cable)
Types of Connection Technology
Uses existing telephone lines. Speed degrades with distance from the cabinet. Maximum realistic distance for good VDSL is around 500 metres from the cabinet.
Pure fibre optic connection all the way to the premises. No distance degradation, capable of symmetric gigabit speeds.
Fibre to the street cabinet, then copper for the last stretch. This is what standard "fibre broadband" usually means in the UK.
The Role of Protocols
Data travels using standardised protocols. The most important for you to understand is PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet), which is how most UK broadband connections authenticate and establish a connection.
3. Types of Broadband Available in the UK
| Type | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Technology | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADSL | Up to 24 Mbps | Up to 1 Mbps | Copper from exchange | Basic use, rural areas |
| FTTC/VDSL | Up to 80 Mbps | Up to 20 Mbps | Fibre to cabinet, copper to premises | Small businesses, standard use |
| FTTP/FTTH | 100 Mbps - 1 Gbps+ | 100 Mbps - 1 Gbps+ | Pure fibre to premises | Growing businesses, cloud-heavy operations |
| Cable (Virgin) | Up to 1 Gbps | Up to 52 Mbps | Coaxial cable network | High download needs |
| Leased Line | 10 Mbps - 10 Gbps | Symmetric (same as download) | Dedicated fibre circuit | Business-critical operations |
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
The original broadband technology, now considered legacy. Still available in areas without fibre infrastructure. Speed depends heavily on distance from the telephone exchange.
FTTC/VDSL (Fibre to the Cabinet)
The most common "fibre broadband" in the UK. Fibre runs to the green street cabinet, then existing copper telephone lines complete the connection. This is what most residential and small business customers have.
FTTP/FTTH (Fibre to the Premises/Home)
The future of UK broadband. Pure fibre optic cable runs directly into the building. Offers symmetric speeds (upload = download), lower latency, and no distance-based speed degradation.
Most of your customers will be on FTTC/VDSL currently, with growing demand for FTTP as availability increases. Leased lines are for your larger business customers with critical connectivity needs. Contact us for a quote.
4. Coming Changes in UK Broadband
The PSTN/ISDN Switch-Off
BT Openreach is switching off the traditional telephone network (PSTN) by December 2025. All voice and broadband services must migrate to IP-based solutions.
This means traditional phone lines are being replaced with Voice over IP (VoIP). Customers can no longer order new PSTN lines, and existing lines will be migrated to digital alternatives.
Implications for Broadband Services
- ADSL connections (which use PSTN lines) are being phased out
- SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) replaces ADSL - it's broadband without a phone line
- FTTP becomes the default for new installations where available
- All business phone systems must move to VoIP or hosted solutions
Full Fibre Rollout
The UK government target is 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage by 2025, with ambition for nationwide coverage. Major players include:
- Openreach (BT's infrastructure division) - largest rollout
- CityFibre - major cities and towns
- Virgin Media O2 - upgrading existing cable network
- Alternative networks (altnets) like Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Netomnia
Businesses need to understand they can't delay migration from PSTN. This creates significant opportunities for selling modern broadband + VoIP packages. Learn more about our migration solutions.
5. How VDSL Broadband Speed Works
VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line) is the technology behind most UK "fibre broadband" connections. Understanding how speeds work helps set realistic customer expectations.
Speed = Distance from Cabinet
The fundamental rule: the further you are from the street cabinet, the slower your connection. This is because copper wires lose signal strength over distance.
Distance from Cabinet → Speed Available 0 - 200m → 70-80 Mbps 200 - 400m → 50-70 Mbps 400 - 600m → 35-50 Mbps 600 - 800m → 20-35 Mbps 800m+ → Below 20 Mbps (VDSL may not be offered)
Why Upload Speeds Are Lower
VDSL is "asymmetric" - it allocates more bandwidth to downloads than uploads because that's how most people use the internet. Typical upload speeds are 1/4 to 1/5 of download speeds.
A connection advertised as "up to 80 Mbps" might deliver 70 Mbps download and 18 Mbps upload at 100 metres from the cabinet, but only 40 Mbps download and 8 Mbps upload at 500 metres.
Factors Affecting VDSL Speed
- Line Length: Total copper wire distance (not straight-line distance)
- Line Quality: Old, corroded, or damaged cables reduce speed
- Electrical Interference: Nearby power cables or equipment can cause noise
- Internal Wiring: Poor quality wiring inside the building affects speed
- Time of Day: Network congestion during peak hours (6-10pm typically)
Always check the estimated line speed before quoting VDSL. Use Openreach's address checker or your wholesale partner's tools. Under-promise and over-deliver on speed expectations.
6. How UK FTTP (Ultrafast Broadband) Works
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is revolutionising UK broadband. It's also called FTTH (Fibre to the Home) or sometimes just "full fibre".
The Technology
FTTP uses fibre optic cables - thin glass strands that transmit data as pulses of light. These cables run directly from the provider's equipment into your customer's building.
Fibre uses light pulses instead of electrical signals. Light doesn't degrade over distance the way electrical signals do in copper wires. This is why fibre can deliver gigabit speeds regardless of how far you are from the exchange.
Speed Tiers Available
| Speed Tier | Download | Upload | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry FTTP | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Small office, remote workers |
| Standard FTTP | 300-500 Mbps | 300-500 Mbps | Growing businesses, multiple users |
| Gigabit FTTP | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | Large offices, data-heavy operations |
| Multi-Gigabit | Up to 10 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps | Enterprise, data centres |
Advantages Over VDSL
- No Distance Degradation: Same speed whether you're 100m or 10km from the exchange
- Symmetric Speeds: Upload speed equals download speed
- Lower Latency: Better for real-time applications (VoIP, video calls, remote desktop)
- Future-Proof: Infrastructure capable of multi-gigabit speeds as technology improves
- More Reliable: Fibre immune to electrical interference, less weather-sensitive
FTTP's symmetric speeds are a huge selling point for businesses using cloud services, video conferencing, or uploading large files. The price difference from VDSL is shrinking, making it an easy upgrade recommendation. Get FTTP pricing for your business.
7. How UK Broadband is Priced
Understanding pricing structures helps you quote competitively and explain costs to customers.
Wholesale vs Retail Pricing
As a provider using BT Wholesale and Gamma, you buy services at wholesale rates and sell at retail rates. Your margin is the difference minus your costs (support, billing, etc.).
Cost Components
- Connection/Installation Fee: One-time charge to set up the service (£50-£150 typical)
- Monthly Rental: Recurring charge for the broadband service itself
- Router/Equipment: Either sold, rented, or included in monthly price
- Support/Service Wrap: Value-added services (enhanced support, static IPs, etc.)
Wholesale Price Ranges (Approximate)
- ADSL: £10-15/month
- FTTC/VDSL (up to 80 Mbps): £15-25/month
- FTTP (100-300 Mbps): £20-35/month
- FTTP (Gigabit): £35-50/month
- Leased Line (100 Mbps): £200-400/month
Your pricing should reflect the support and expertise you provide. Don't compete solely on price - emphasise service quality, local support, and your understanding of business needs. Discover our business broadband packages.
8. Who Manages UK Broadband Infrastructure?
The UK broadband market has a complex ecosystem. Understanding who owns and operates what helps you navigate provisioning and fault resolution.
Openreach - The Network Giant
Openreach is the UK's largest broadband infrastructure owner. Crucially, it's part of BT Group but operates independently as a legally separate entity.
- Owns and maintains telephone poles, underground ducts, street cabinets, and exchanges
- Serves over 99% of UK premises
- Must provide equal access to all communications providers (wholesale only)
- Regulated by Ofcom to prevent anti-competitive behaviour
- Customer reports fault to you (Comms Source)
- You diagnose and log fault with your wholesale provider (BT Wholesale/Gamma)
- They dispatch the infrastructure owner (Openreach/CityFibre) if it's a network fault
- Engineer fixes and reports back up the chain
You're the customer's single point of contact throughout.
You sit between wholesale providers and end customers. Your value is managing this complexity so customers don't have to understand the ecosystem - they just need their internet working. See how Comms Source simplifies connectivity.
9. Check Broadband Availability
Use our interactive availability checker to see what broadband services are available at any UK address. Get instant results showing speeds, technologies, and estimated pricing.
This checker connects to Openreach and wholesale provider databases to give you real-time availability information for FTTP, FTTC, SOGEA, and other broadband technologies. All results are based on actual infrastructure availability.
Check Broadband Availability
Enter your postcode to see what broadband services are available at your location
- ✓ See exactly what technologies are available at your location
- ✓ Compare speeds and pricing across different services
- ✓ Get personalized recommendations based on your address
- ✓ Request a quote from our team with one click
10. How We Order Broadband in the UK
Understanding the ordering process ensures smooth installations and proper customer expectations.
Pre-Order Steps
1. Address and Availability Check
Use your wholesale provider's portal (BT Wholesale, Gamma) to check:
- Which services are available at the address
- Estimated line speed for VDSL products
- Expected installation lead time
- Any known issues with the line or cabinet
2. Gather Customer Information
- Full installation address including postcode
- Contact name and number for appointment
- Existing telephone number (if migrating service)
- Preferred installation date
- Any site access restrictions
- Company name and billing details
Lead Times
| Service Type | Typical Lead Time | Engineer Visit? |
|---|---|---|
| FTTC/VDSL (New) | 5-10 working days | Usually not required |
| FTTC/VDSL (Migration) | 10-15 working days | Rarely required |
| FTTP (New, infrastructure exists) | 10-15 working days | Always required |
| FTTP (New build required) | 30-90 days | Multiple visits |
| Leased Line | 45-90 days | Multiple visits |
Always under-promise on lead times. Quote 2-3 weeks for FTTP even if portal shows 10 days. Installations can be delayed by customer availability, access issues, or technical problems. Get expert installation support from Comms Source.
11. Hardware Required for Business Broadband
Understanding the equipment needed helps you quote accurately and support installations properly.
Essential Equipment for FTTC/VDSL
1. Router
- Gigabit WAN port (essential for full-speed broadband)
- Multiple gigabit LAN ports (minimum 4)
- Dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) - WiFi 6 recommended
- VDSL modem built-in for FTTC services
- VPN capabilities (for remote workers)
- Advanced firewall and security features
- Quality of Service (QoS) for VoIP prioritisation
Recommended Business Routers:
- DrayTek Vigor 2862 (VDSL) or 2866 (Ethernet WAN) - £200-300
- Cisco Business RV series - £250-400
- UniFi Dream Machine (for managed WiFi environments) - £300+
- Netgear Nighthawk for smaller offices - £150-200
Essential Equipment for FTTP
1. ONT (Optical Network Terminal)
- Requires mains power (consider UPS for critical operations)
- Must not be moved or tampered with
- Single Ethernet port output (typically RJ45)
- Usually mounted on wall - needs permanent location
- In power cuts, FTTP broadband will go down unless ONT has backup power
Typical Equipment Packages
| Office Size | Equipment Needed | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1-5 users) | Business router with WiFi | £150-300 |
| Medium (5-20 users) | Router + 8-port switch + 1 AP + UPS | £400-700 |
| Large (20-50 users) | Router + 24-port PoE switch + 3 APs + UPS + cabling | £1,500-3,000 |
| Enterprise (50+ users) | Managed router + multiple switches + 5+ APs + structured cabling + racks | £5,000-15,000+ |
Many businesses try to save money with consumer-grade equipment. Position yourself as providing proper business infrastructure that's reliable, supportable, and scalable. The extra cost pays for itself in reduced downtime and simpler support. Explore our business-grade solutions.
12. How Leased Lines Work in the UK
Leased lines are premium business connectivity - dedicated, uncontended circuits with service level agreements. They're expensive but essential for businesses that can't tolerate internet outages.
What is a Leased Line?
A leased line is a dedicated, symmetric data connection between two points. Unlike broadband, you're not sharing bandwidth with anyone else - it's exclusively yours.
- Dedicated: Not shared with other users (uncontended)
- Symmetric: Upload speed = download speed
- Guaranteed: You get the speed you pay for, 24/7
- SLA-backed: Fix times guaranteed (typically 4-6 hours)
- Always-on: No dialling up or PPPoE authentication
Leased Line vs Broadband: The Trade-offs
| Feature | Broadband (FTTP) | Leased Line |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 1 Gbps typical | 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps |
| Symmetry | Usually symmetric on FTTP | Always symmetric |
| Contention | Shared (typically 50:1) | Uncontended (dedicated) |
| SLA | Best efforts, no guarantees | Fix time guaranteed (4-6 hours typical) |
| Cost (100 Mbps) | £40-60/month | £300-500/month |
| Installation Time | 10-15 days | 45-90 days |
| Contract | 12-24 months typical | 36-60 months typical |
When to Recommend a Leased Line
- Downtime is costly: Operations stop without internet (e.g., call centres, retail POS)
- Guaranteed bandwidth needed: Large file transfers, data replication, hosted services
- Connecting sites: Point-to-point circuits between offices more secure than VPN over internet
- Heavy upload requirements: Cloud backups, video surveillance uploads, content creators
- VoIP quality critical: Large call volumes where quality degradation unacceptable
If fibre infrastructure is nearby, installation might be £1,000-2,000. If new ducting, road crossings, or long cable runs are needed, costs can reach £10,000-50,000+. Always get a formal quote.
Leased lines are high-margin, long-term contracts. They're worth pursuing for the right customers. Focus on the business impact of downtime rather than technical specs. A 4-hour fix time means the business is only down for hours, not days. Request a leased line quote.