UK broadband availability

There are a number of different ways of receiving broadband in the UK. ADSL and cable broadband are the most accessible and popular choices for UK residential customers. However, although ADSL and cable broadband are the most accessible, they do have their restrictions.

Where a provider has more than one package available, we only show one to give you a wider view of the market. All packages are available when you carry out a full comparison.
*Please note that the speed you receive will depend on where you live and technical factors
**Subject to providers fair usage policy
***Price excludes monthly line rental, unless otherwise stated

Today ADSL broadband services now reach 99% of all UK homes and businesses. BT has been carrying out work to remove limits relating to the distance of lines from the exchange and more than 99.8% of lines connected to a broadband exchange should now be able to get an ADSL broadband service. A small number of exchanges which generally serve a small number of customers have not been upgraded and still cannot access ADSL broadband.

Presently there are two major cable companies in the UK: ntl and Telewest. These companies have installed cable networks in neighbouring areas throughout the UK. You can only receive cable broadband if you live in one of these areas, as cable broadband does not run via the BT phone system.

Cable broadband is available to approximately 46% of homes in the UK and both ntl and Telewest have plans to develop their networks further.

One of the moves to make broadband more accessible and to open competition has seen the introduction of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). This is the process where the incumbent operator (BT and Kingston in the UK) makes its local network (the copper cables that run from customers' premises to the telephone exchange) available to other companies. Operators are then able to upgrade individual lines using DSL technology to offer services such as always on high speed internet access, direct to the customer.

Where LLU is available in an area customers are able to get broadband internet directly from a provider without also paying BT for phone line rental. Instead they will pay the new provider from both their broadband service and line rental.

If you cannot receive broadband through either of these methods there are other technologies available to connect your home broadband internet. Satellite and wireless technologies are available, but can be expensive to install, especially for residential customers. Wireless technology in particular is still in its early stages of development. However, broadband providers are looking into this form of technology for areas their ADSL broadband services cannot reach.