Category: Blog posts

According to the Worldwide broadband speed league 2021, the United Kingdom has an average internet speed of 51.48 Mbps, ranking at number 43 out of the 224 countries included. However, if we compare this to the top three countries, which includes Jersey (274.27 Mbps), Lichtenstein (211.26 Mbps) and Iceland (191.8 Mbps), the UK is still 140 Mbps behind the third highest ranking country. 

But how does each of the counties’ internet speed fare up against each other? 

UK County Breakdown

When we break down UK into counties, the fastest internet speeds appear in the City of London, Hertfordshire, and Surrey. The slowest internet speeds can be found in Dorset, Cumbria, and Cornwall.  

Here is a list of the average internet speed in some counties across the UK: 

 

 County                                       Average internet speed (Mbps) 

Dorset	32
Cumbria	33
Cornwall	34
County Durham	34
Isle of Wight	34
Somerset	34
Devon	35
Shropshire	35
East Sussex	36
Herefordshire	36
Norfolk	36
Northumberland	36
Suffolk	36
Derbyshire	37
Lincolnshire	37
North Yorkshire	37
Wiltshire	40
Kent	41
Lancashire	41
Worcestershire	42
Greater Manchester	44
Cheshire	45
West Sussex	45
Essex	47
Hampshire	47
Staffordshire	47
Buckinghamshire	48
East Riding of Yorkshire	48
Berkshire	49
Nottinghamshire	50
Warwickshire	50
Cambridgeshire	52
Northamptonshire	52
Gloucestershire	53
Leicestershire	53
Oxfordshire	54
Bedfordshire	55
Bristol	56
City of London	56
Hertfordshire	57
Surrey	59

 

Soured from Source: https://fairinternetreport.com/United-Kingdom 

Patterns of Information

The fastest 3 counties are home counties (Surrey, Hertfordshire and City of London) whilst as the average internet speeds drop, we notice that the counties are seen as a lot more rural and full of vibrant green space. 

Once again, the digital divide is prevalent when we look at this list – those closer to the larger cities are benefiting from faster internet speeds, whilst those who chose to live in greener spaces are being forgotten about. 

Whilst these speeds seem OK on the surface, when you start to think about the amount of hybrid working or home working that now occurs, and residents within the slower counties (Dorset, Cumbria or Cornwall) certainly notice the effects of slow internet. 

Fibre Heroes currently covers 14 different counties in the UK with 20 towns now live or in the building stages for ultrafast internet connection. Almost 60 more areas will soon be announced. (what’s this in reference too) 

Fibre Heroes Full Fibre Broadband

Here at Fibre Heroes, we understand that internet speeds across the UK are nowhere near as good as they can be. We also know that large cities such as London have greater access to fast internet speeds, but Fibre Heroes is not here to bring better internet connection to these areas, we here for underdogs – the smaller and rural towns that are underserved or previously overlooked.  

Ultrafast internet speeds could be installed in your area soon. Type in your postcode here to find out more. 

According to Finder, before March 2020, 1.54 million people worked from home in some capacity compared to the 23.9 million today. Two recent surveys revealed that two-thirds of employees feel more productive when working from home yet 1 in 5 remote workers suffer from loneliness.

So, what are the benefits of working from home? Does it make us more productive and do the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks?

Increased productivity

Hybrid ways of working have become extremely popular in the UK with research suggesting productivity increases with flexible working in place. A whopping 75% of workers surveyed said their level of productivity would increase at home without office distractions and it has been reported that two-thirds of remote workers are more productive compared to in-office workers.

More free time

In the UK, the average daily commute takes 59 minutes which is equal to nearly 5 hours per working week. This extra time could therefore be used more productively during the working day whether that’s exercising to increase concentration or catching up on sleep if family life is a bit hectic.

Decreased cost

Working remotely can cut down travelling costs including fuel, train, tube, and bus tickets, and buying lunch. Working from home can help create a bit more money to spend on the things that make you happy.

Less pollution

Finder has highlighted that if remote workers worked from home only 6 months of the year, this alone could prevent 54 million tonnes of greenhouse gas from being produced into the atmosphere, which is ‘equivalent to taking 10 million cars off the road’. The benefit to the environment is exponential, proving that working from home regularly can drastically improve air quality and limit pollution.

Working longer hours

More time in the day can also have its drawbacks as a remote employee, with over 20% of workers finding it difficult to separate their work and home life. Working from home can result in fewer breaks and longer working hours which can lead to burnout if continued over a long period of time not to mention hours of unpaid labour.

Loneliness

One significant disadvantage of working from home is the potential for loneliness. As finder highlights, 30.9% of those working remotely struggle with feelings of loneliness. An office environment provides social stimulation you may not receive at home especially if you live alone. This can make work unappealing or lead to depression. It has been reported that 62% of remote workers would like updated technology to stay better connected with their teams.

Working environment

Like loneliness, the home environment isn’t something that can be easily altered. Although many remote workers say that working from an office is more distracting than working from home, it can also work the other way in the form of pets, social media, and neighbours.

The space and furniture available can also affect productivity with many remote workers having to work in their kitchens and living rooms with poor ergonomic environments.

Access to the internet

Internet connection is a major factor when it comes to remote working, with many employees in the UK switching to mobile data during important calls because their home broadband is unreliable. Usually, office premises include faster and more consistent connections than homes which means internet problems can create more stress for those working remotely.

Working from home does have its drawbacks but flexible work offered by employers provides a personal choice that can increase productivity, create balance, and save money.

If internet connectivity is an issue in your home, check out the Fibre Heroes postcode checker to see if full fibre broadband is or will be available in your area.

The current cost of living crisis in the UK means a lot of people are struggling to keep up with bills including the cost of their broadband connection.

Access to the internet access is now a necessity for most households because it allows people to communicate and earn a living. Here’s what you can expect from your internet bill and ways you can save money.

What to expect from your internet bill?

An internet connection is usually paid monthly through a broadband or mobile network provider. The monthly bill is fixed as per the contract agreed upon by you and your provider. This excludes any late fees or penalties for going over your data allowance if you receive mobile broadband.

The amount you pay differs depending on the package and broadband provider you choose, your location, and the speed of your connection.

Why might your internet bill go up?

Your internet bill may increase every year of service which is usually stated in the terms and conditions of your contract. This is normally related to economic inflation or after an initial new customer price.

However, if the cost of your internet connection increases without pre-warning, you have the legal right to end the contract without paying a penalty fee if your contract was started after January 2014.

How can you save on your internet bill?

Check to see if you’re still in contract

It’s only since 2020 that both phone and broadband companies have to contact customers and warn them their contract is coming to an end at least 10 days before it happens. This change was implemented following a report by the industry regulator Ofcom that found that around 20 million people were still in expired contracts, which had automatically renewed.

If you’re outside of the initial contract, it’s likely you’ll be paying more for their internet each month so it’s worth checking. If you’re still in a contract but think you can find a cheaper deal, you might want to work out if it’s cheaper to pay the early termination fee and switch.

Ask your current provider what they’re offering new customers.

If you find you’re out of contract but don’t want to switch, you might want to ask your provider what deals new customers are receiving. Again, recent changes sparked by Ofcom, mean that broadband providers now have to inform customers of any deals available.

Ofcom highlighted that in 2019 out-of-contract customers were spending between £100 – £150 per year on average compared to new customers.

Research to find the cheapest deal to suit you

If you do want to switch, however, there are plenty of price comparison websites you can use find the best al on your broadband package. These include Broadband Deals, Money Supermarket and Uswitch which provide hundreds of options, so it pays to do your research.

Ask your provider to price match.

If you do find a better deal but don’t want to switch, it is always worth asking your current provider to match any deal you find. A recent poll suggested more than 8,000 people who haggled to force down with their existing provider were offered a better deal in 2021.

Are you receiving the broadband speed you were sold?

Did you know that if your internet speed isn’t reaching the speeds stated in your contract and the issue isn’t resolved within 30 days, you can cancel the contract without incurring a fee? It is always best to check you’re getting what you’re paying for.

It’s important to know the terms of your contract, what you’re entitled to as a broadband customer, and what to expect from your internet bill. Knowledge is power and with that comes a way to save money or make it go further.

 

The pandemic showed that even though we couldn’t see our families in person, we could still stay in touch.

For example, Zoom had 10 million daily users in December 2019 and 300 million six months later!

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep up to date with the latest family gossip and news, we’ve put together a helpful guide to the best apps around.

Zoom

This wouldn’t be a list of the best communication apps if we didn’t include Zoom!

Zoom lets you make and receive video calls, both on your mobile and online. It’s super easy to use too – just organise a meeting space and send over a link.

One of the advantages of Zoom over other online video chat apps is its reliability. This means you can have a great video call, even if your broadband connection is a bit flaky.

Bear in mind that the free version of Zoom only offers unlimited time if two people are chatting. If there are more, you’re limited to 45 minutes. You can easily set up another meeting space and start again though.

Marco Polo

If you want to talk to people but don’t have the time for long video calls, Marco Polo could be perfect for you.

Just download the app, and you can send short video messages to friends and family that they can reply to in their own time. It’s a bit like texting, but a lot more fun!

The app is free, but you can also pay $5 a month for the Plus version, which comes with extra functionality.

Caribu

If you have grandkids or little ones that you don’t see too often, Caribu offers simple video calling with a twist.

Download the app, and you can read books, play games and draw together as you speak, meaning you don’t miss out on special storytime!

There is a free version of Caribu with limited access, but the paid-for version lets you use everything on offer.

FaceTime

If you’re a family of Apple fans, FaceTime is a great free way to stay connected.

The thing we love about FaceTime is because it’s integrated into all iPhones and iPads; you don’t need to download anything. Just find the number you want to call in your contact list, hit the FaceTime button, and you’re ready to chat!

Skribbl

Skribbl isn’t technically an app, but we thought we’d include it as it’s a lot of fun! If you enjoy a game of Pictionary, Skribbl is just like that, but online.

Skribbl will give you three words to choose from, and you draw a description of that word online. Then, everyone has to type in what they think you’re drawing, with points for the fastest.

It’s perfect if you want to enjoy a games night with the kids, especially if you use it alongside video chat!

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a free messaging app that lets you send texts, make phone calls and video chat.

One of the things we love the most about it is phone calls and texts are sent over your internet connection. This means as long as you’re signed in to the Wi-Fi, you won’t have to use your phone’s call and text allowance.

Why not use WhatsApp to create a family messaging group where you can send messages, memes and talk about funny things you see through the course of the day? 

Stay connected with Fibre Heroes

When you need to talk to family and loved ones, it’s essential to have a reliable broadband connection. After all, you don’t want to have to keep dropping out of the conversation.

We provide full fibre broadband that’s over twenty times faster than the national average. This means you can read stories to the grandkids or catch up with your best friend in Australia – anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Find out when we’re coming to your town with ultrafast broadband.

Phones, tablets and smart TVs… where would we be without them?

Devices are now a part of our everyday lives, and even the littlest members of our families can use them with ease.

The bad news is that parents find it harder than ever to control the amount of time kids and teenagers spend on tablets and phones. Nearly a third admit they struggle to control their preschooler’s screen time.

While going online can have a lot of educational and social benefits, it’s essential to ensure it doesn’t take over your child’s day. If you want to put guidelines in place, below are our top tips for reducing your children’s screen time.

But first, what are the screen time recommendations?

There’s a lot of conflicting information online about how much screen time children and teenagers should have. By screen time, we mean not only time spent on tablets and phones, but watching television and playing video games.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children under two years old have no screen time at all and that children under five have less than one hour a day.

However, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has disputed this. It advises screen time should be determined by a child’s individual needs, what they are watching/doing and whether screen time displaces other activities like sleep and exercise.

How to limit your children’s screen time

Whether you’ve bought your little one their first tablet and want to set expectations, or you need to unplug your kids from their phones, here are our top tips.

Set guidelines

It’s important to set boundaries and stick to them. By laying down the rules as soon as possible, your kids will know what’s acceptable and what isn’t.

Look at how your children use their devices and work with that as a starting point. For example, if you notice your teen is cranky in the morning, say they can’t take their phone to bed. If your

kid is completing their homework at the last minute, no tablet until they’ve finished their schoolwork.

Practice what you preach

If you’re guilty of spending hours on Pinterest or chatting to your friends on WhatsApp, you need to lead by example. By using your phone and tablet less, your kids will follow suit.

Organise some fun activities that will help you all forget about your phone notifications. For example, plan a board game night, take a trip to the seaside or plan a scavenger hunt around the home.

Create device-free zones

Setting device-free areas around the house can be a quick win when reducing screen time. For example, you can say no phones or tablets around the dinner table or in the bathroom.

Remember you have to follow the rules too – no taking photos of your meals or playing Wordle on the toilet!

Download an app or set up parental controls

There are many apps available that can limit the amount of time your kids spend online. These apps let you set screen time and even reward good behaviour with extra minutes online.

Some of our favourites include Qustodio, OurPact and Screentime. Most charge a monthly or annual subscription, but you can get a free trial to see if they work for you.

You can also set up parental controls on your kid’s devices. This lets you restrict websites, block certain apps and view their online activity. If you’re not sure how to set up parental access on your kid’s devices, we’ve put together a guide to help.

Take an interest in what they’re doing

We often use our devices out of a habit – something to look at when we’re bored or have some free time. Half of teens admit to feeling addicted to their phones.

By asking your kids why they want to go online, you can see if there’s something else they can do instead.

This strategy is great as it opens up a dialogue about technology. By learning more about what your children like most about their devices, they’ll be more likely to come to you with questions about tech in the future.

Keep your clan safe with Fibre Heroes

As parents, it’s only natural we want to protect our kids from the dangers of the outside world. If you want to keep them safe from malware and hackers, full fibre can be an excellent investment.

Full fibre broadband is much more secure than traditional copper broadband, meaning you can rest safe knowing your brood’s personal data is in good hands.

Not only this, but full fibre broadband is faster and more reliable too – perfect when everyone is live streaming from their tablets!

Visit our broadband checker and see when we’ll be installing broadband in your town.

Full fibre home connection is a simple step by step process and begins after you have chosen an internet provider that’s right for you. Here’s what you can expect: 

Step 1

Your provider will confirm an exact installation date which will be sent to one of our wonderful Fibre Heroes.

You’ll be given a four hour time slot and on the day, we’ll call you to let you know we’re on route.  

Step 2

When our engineer arrives, they will inform you of the process before working on your connection. First, they will assess the property and locate the nearest point of presence or network point.  

Now for a bit of technical information (eye-roll): Our service is fulfilled through an Openreach exchange where fibre cables are taken from pre-existing underground chambers or from telephone poles.

Around 80% of local networks are connected like this which means they’ll be minimal installation disruption. 

Step 3

So, once the method of connection has been identified, our engineer will install a grey box to the outside of your house which is called a customer splice point (CSP). We can provide options to where you want this to be. 

Step 4

Our engineer will then take the fibre cable from the newly installed CSP and connect it to another small grey box called an optical network terminal (ONT) inside your home.

This is done by pushing fibre cables through the wall then tacked along skirting boards or anywhere you would like you cables to run. It’s the ONT that connects to your internet service provider (ISP) router, allowing full fibre broadband. 

It’s not always possible to know before assessing the connection to the property whether we will install the CSP or ONT first.

This is because it depends on where the property is located. For example, if your house is next to a main road and a pole connection is required, our engineer may have to wait until the road is clear. But, generally, installation will take up to two hours.  

Step 5

Finally, our engineer will carry out remote configuration test and once this is confirmed, the fibre broadband installation process is complete. You are then free to connect your router.  

On some occasions, our engineers may not be able to complete the work the same day. This could be due to many factors including issues with the connecting pole where additional equipment may be required.

Or, if your home is on a main road, a second engineer will need to be available to stop traffic while the work is being carried out.

But, fear not! If we do need to return, our trusty Fibre Heroes will be back within a week to complete the work, and make sure your ultra-fast broadband is up and running. You can count on us! 

Full fibre broadband is everything we’ve shouted about before and more. Ultrafast, super-reliable and ultimately the next step in digital infrastructure. 

But what is fibre broadband? 

Fibre Optic Cables

A fibre broadband network is made up of fibre optic cables. These fibre optic cables are what is going into the ground when you see roadworks taking place in your area, and what provides your home with internet. 

How do They Work?

The main difference between fibre optic cables and copper cables is how they use light to transmit data. 

Where copper would use electrical signals that get weaker the further they travel, fibre optic cables use light signals that can travel much further, much quicker, and ensure matching speeds for everyone connected, no matter the distance between home and cabinet. 

But how can light transmit data? 

Well, digital devices deliver information in binary codes 1s and 0s. These are called bits. 

When data is requested, these bits are transferred one at a time along with a physical transmission. In the case of copper cables, an electric charge carries the information from one end of the cable to the other. 

When an electric charge is present, a 1 is transmitted; when an electric charge is not present, a 0 is transmitted. 

When you turn the current on and off rapidly (millions of times a second), the 1s and 0s (bits) travel along the cable. 

With fibre optic cables, the same process happens in terms of 1s and 0s. But instead of using electric charges, they use light. 

There is an LED light at one end of the cable and when light is present, a 1 is recorded, and when light is absent, a 0 is recorded. 

Because the sheer speed of light is so fast, the data can be transmitted a lot quicker along the cables, from the servers to your devices. 

What are They Made of?

Well, a fibre optic cable has many components to it: the core, the cladding, the Kevlar, the jacket/sheathing, the boot of the cable, the connector, and the ferrule. 

The Core

The core is a strand of extraordinarily thin glass that is about the same size as a strand of hair. It is placed at the centre of the cable and is where the light pulses are transmitted through the cable. 

The Cladding

Surrounding the core is a layer of cladding. This encapsulates the core and helps the light pulses reflect into the core and aid data transmission. 

The cladding and the core together are what are generally considered to be fibre cables. 

The Kevlar

The Kevlar’s purpose is to protect the cable from damage when it is being blown through the ducts (blowing cable means threading it through the ducts underground). 

It is heat resistant, lightweight, synthetic, and delivers an extreme amount of super-strength to protect the fibre optic core and cladding. 

The Jacket/Sheathing

The outside, rubber sealing of the cable is known as the jacket/sheathing. 

It is usually made from PVC (a type of rubber-like plastic) or what is called a ‘riser’. Alternatively, it could be made of plenum. 

The Boot of the Cable

The boot of the cable’s role is to bridge the fibre cables to the connector. Due to the flexibility of the fibre optic cable, the boot will stabilise these cables allowing for greater rates of data transmission. 

The Connector

The connector is the piece at the end of the entire cable that plugs into the equipment. A tab is the most common locking mechanism on the cable, and when it comes to installing or removing cables, the connector is what you plug in and pull out of the equipment. 

The Ferrule

The ferrule contains the end of the fibre and is used to help with alignment with other fibre cables as well as to ensure the cable is lined up with transceivers. 

It is often made from ceramics, plastics or stainless steel. 

How is a Successful Connection Measured?

When it comes to ensuring the cable operates correctly, we must complete some testing to ensure that the light can travel through the entire length of the network. 

Copper networks (FTTC) lose a lot of power throughout the line. The further the data travels, the slower the speeds get. 

As the light source travels along the fibre cable, its power level decreases. Also known as ‘optical loss’, which is measured in Decibels (dB). 

The most accurate way to test for optical loss is by using an OLTS (Optical Loss Test Set) and inputting a known level of light into one end of the cable. 

By measuring the light level at the other end of the cable, we can then see how much optical loss has occurred. 

This helps tell us if the optical loss is significant, if there are any potential breaks within the cable, or if any maintenance is required to help improve the amount of light retained in the cable. 

This testing must be completed for each cable to ensure that every connection has the capability of transmitting data into your home. 

How is Fibre Broadband Installed?

We have a separate page dedicated to our broadband installation process that outlines in detail about how we can connect your home to our network. 

Can You Get Fibre Broadband in Your Area?

The answer is: it depends. 

If you live within an area that is currently building an FTTP (Fibre to the Premise) network, then your chances are quite high. 

However, if there are currently no plans for a FTTP provider to install fibre optic cables in your area, then you could be waiting up to a few years. 

To see if we are building in your area, you can use our postcode checker on the website. If you are keen to have full fibre broadband in your home or just want to learn more, fill out our contact form and you will be the first to know when your home is ready to be connected to our service. 

 

The digital evolution is well underway. With most households having access to the internet, the digital lifestyle demands an ever-increasing internet speed. But how can you improve internet speed if you constantly notice it under performing?

With the number of appliances requiring access to the internet increasing, here are a few ways that you can improve your internet speed (and most of them are free!).

Benchmark Internet Speed

Benchmark your current speed. Whilst this won’t directly improve your internet speed, it will give you a measurement to compare against after you’ve tried some of these tricks.

There are plenty of online speed tests that can be done. Use a range of them to ensure you have consistent data across all variations.

Ensure that you record the score so that you know if any changes you do make aren’t some sort of placebo.

Speak to your ISP about your Speed

Speaking to your ISP can help clarify what exact speeds you are supposed to be getting. Because you have just benchmarked, you know exactly what speeds you are receiving against what you are paying for.

If the speed isn’t enough, see if there are any deals that your ISP can offer you that results in a faster broadband package. On the contrary, if it is being slower than it should be, research to see if there are any network problems with your provider or if there are any issues in your area.

Password Protect your Wi-Fi

Adding a password onto your Wi-Fi can stop external users accessing and causing slower speeds. Extra users require more bandwidth than you’re paying for and this can result in slower speeds.

This is especially important if you live in a city centre where a lot of people will be looking for free Wi-Fi from shops. Make sure that yours isn’t on their list!

The password you choose must be complex enough to avoid any potential codebreakers out there so choose wisely!

Move Location of Internet Router

Sometimes, the actual physical location of your router in your house can affect the speed of your internet. Is it placed behind a thick wall from where you usually sit and access it? Does it only work when the door is open?

By moving to an elevated and clear spot with minimal obstructions around it, you give yourself the best chance of receiving a faster connection speed.

If you notice that your desk at home is on the other side of the house to the router, perhaps moving the router closer can increase the quality of your work calls?

Plug in Ethernet Cables

Before we had wireless technology, we had wired technology! Ethernet cables are still a great way of boosting your internet speed to specific devices. Yes, there are limitations to where they can connect to, but the result could be a direct access to the router increasing your speed.

Whilst not as convenient as it’s wireless counterpart, it can boost speeds to those devices that need it. This also shouldn’t affect the wirelessly connected devices. Theoretically, it should improve their speed as there is one less device using a wireless connection!

Switch Internet Provider

If you are facing recurring internet speed problems, sometimes there is nothing you can do. No matter where you place your router, nor how many passwords you set, it could just be out of your control.

If this is the case, and your ISP is always letting you down, it could be an idea to switch internet providers. It always sounds scary as you don’t know if it will go smoothly, but the long-term benefits could be monumental.

There will be a range of other packages that offer similar services to what you are currently receiving but at a much better quality.

Don’t be scared to branch out and try something different if your existing set up isn’t working for you.

Access a Faster Internet Speed

Everyone should have access to a fast internet. With a full fibre connection, you can receive speeds of 1Gbps and more (1000Mbps). If you are facing consistent slow internet speeds, you may be eligible to receive a full fibre network.

This can be applied directly to your home, and you will wonder how you ever managed to put up with your current speeds after experiencing such a super-fast connection.

Get in touch with our expert team to find out more, or you can check if you’re eligible using our postcode checker.

 

When we think of the speed of our internet, we usually attribute this to loading speeds of websites and how responsive the internet is to our actions (when we open tabs, load web pages, watch YouTube videos etc.)

But what we don’t consider, when it comes to internet speed, are download and upload speeds meaning that we are missing out on an important metric to consider.

Download and upload speeds are important to know as they are an excellent benchmark for internet speed. This is because a 100MB file is the same size no matter the user, location or browser. Web pages may differ in speeds depending on the server they are hosted on, the size of their web files amongst many other factors.

By utilizing download and upload speeds, it can give you conclusive proof of your speed and if it has improved after changing internet providers.

Download and Upload Speed Meaning

When we say download and upload speeds, what is it that we actually mean?

On internet speed tests,  you will receive two scores, one for download speed and one for upload speed.

Download speed is how many megabits of data per second it takes to download data from a server in the form of files, video, audio, images etc. More commonly known as, how quickly it takes to download files, videos, audio files, images etc. from the internet.

Upload speed is how many megabits of data per second you can send from your computer to another server on the internet or another device.  This is also known as how quickly it takes to upload data to another server (think emails, videos, zoom calls etc.)

Synchronous Speeds

You sometimes may hear the term ‘synchronous speeds’ in relation to the two-speed metrics.

When the download and upload speed match, this is known as synchronous speed. This is a particular benefit to those who work from home, primarily because the download speed is usually far greater than the upload speed.

By having the capability of synchronous speeds, you greatly improve the quality of video calls, file uploads and vastly improve the time it takes to download files, no matter the size.

Improve Download and Upload Speeds

These are two important speed metrics that you should base your internet speed off. You can improve your download and upload speeds meaning that you will be able to access files quicker, download films faster, browse with less hassle and more.

If you want to improve your download and upload speeds, it is important that you benchmark your current speed. Use our speed test to see your current download and upload speeds.

Check your postcode availability to see if you are eligible to access a full fibre network which can provide synchronous speed for your home.

Moving home is always exciting and a little bit scary…

Rushing to get everything packed in time, hoping the movers haven’t lost any of your boxes and most importantly, remembering where you put the teabags!

According to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, one in three people face delays when getting their broadband working in their new home, with some waiting more than two weeks.

If you’re shuddering at the prospect of not being able to get online, here’s our guide to choosing a new broadband provider.

Get sorted as soon as possible

It’s always good to arrange the broadband for your new home a month or so before moving.

If you’re sticking with the same broadband provider, as long as they have coverage in the area, all you need to do is let them know when you’re moving. They’ll ensure your broadband is up and running when you move in.

Sometimes it can be easier to move your current broadband provider across and start looking for a new provider when you’re settled in.

Keen to start searching for a new broadband provider now? It’s time to grab a cup of coffee, your favourite biscuits and start doing your research!

Check your existing contract

If you want to move internet providers, you’ll need to check to see if you’re locked into a contract. You may have to pay a termination fee for leaving early if you are.

Some providers may waive this fee for you; it never hurts to ask.

If you’re on a rolling monthly contract, you’ll be able to cancel, although you may need to give notice first.

Check who can provide coverage 

Broadband coverage varies throughout the UK. As a rule of thumb, larger cities have more options than smaller, more remote areas (although Fibre Heroes is looking to change that!).

Uswitch has a broadband checker on its website – just put in the postcode of your new property, and it will tell you which packages are available.

See which broadband package is right for you

When you know what is available, you need to look at all the options and see which is right for you. Some broadband providers offer a range of different packages.

Look at:

• What speed you will get. If you don’t use the internet much, you can probably get away with a lower speed. If you’re online a lot or use it for streaming, gaming or video calls, you’ll want a faster package. The average UK download speed is 50mbs, however you can expect speeds of up to 20x faster with Fibre Heroes
• What the cost will be. Some packages will be more expensive than others. You may also need to pay more for a shorter contract
• What type of broadband you will get. Is it ADSL, full fibre or cable? Not that we like to blow our own trumpet, but full fibre is faster and more reliable!
• If there are any added features. Some providers offer broadband and TV together in one bundle. This can be more cost-effective than paying for both separately, but do check to make sure you’re getting a good deal
• If there are any restrictions. Some packages have rules in place, such as limited data
• If there are any freebies. Some packages come with goodies such as SIM cards and free online streaming subscriptions. While these can be great, they could also make your package more pricey
• How long the contract will be. Contracts can vary between 12 and 24 months – if you want to leave before then, you may need to pay a fee

If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask. Most broadband providers will be more than happy to chat about the pros and cons of their various packages, either through online chat or on the phone.

Ask for an honest opinion

Sometimes it’s good to ask people living nearby what their broadband is like. If you know someone living in the area, drop them a message and ask who they use for their broadband.

If you don’t know anyone, check and see if there is a Facebook group or online forum for where you’re moving to. Introduce yourself and ask what broadband provider everyone uses.

Fibre Heroes: Full fibre broadband, wherever you are

It’s our vision to build a full fibre broadband network for poorly connected homes across the UK, from the busiest towns to the quietest villages. This means no matter where you are; you can take advantage of ultra-fast broadband that lets you stream, game and surf the web with complete confidence.

Our team can’t pack your valuables or drive the removal van, but we can provide you with the best full fibre around.

Visit our location checker to see if we’ll be waiting to welcome you to your new home.