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Broadband Guides

If you're looking for some help with your broadband switch or support with a broadband problem, our broadband guides are here to help.

Setting up broadband

Setting up your new broadband router may feel daunting but it doesn't have to be! Check out our extensive broadband set-up guides.

A teenager pointing to a Wi-Fi router to explain to an older lady what it is. Next to an emoji of a satellite.
15 January 2024

What are the best wireless routers?

Guide to the best broadband routers in the UK. Find the best router for coverage across major providers like BT, Virgin Media, Sky and others.

Read our guide to Wi-Fi routers
08 January 2024

Broadband and moving house - how to set up your internet

Your guide to moving your broadband connection to your new house. Here's what to consider when moving, including whether or not you should switch to a new one.

Read our broadband guide to moving home
girl using an old rotary landline phone
07 September 2023

How to get broadband without a landline - Uswitch

Want broadband without a phone line? It's now easier than ever to get broadband without a landline frm many of the UK's major broadband providers.

Read our broadband with no landline guide
person setting up their broadband at home
30 August 2023

How to self-install your broadband connection

For times when an engineer can't visit your home to install your new broadband, here's how you can do it yourself.

Here's how to self-install your broadband
woman in a work meeting at home
19 June 2023

Business vs home broadband: Which service do I need?

In this guide we look at the key selling points of business broadband over home broadband so you can decide what's best for your needs.

Read our business vs home broadband guide
woman checking her smart security
05 November 2021

Which smart home devices should I buy?

Smart homes can make your house secure and your household chores a breeze. Here are the smart home gadgets you should consider buying...

Read our smart home devices guide

Broadband basics

Finding broadband confusing? We've explained the most common broadband jargon and need-to-know essentials in our basics guides.

woman working from home two screens coding
20 December 2023

Bits and bytes explained — a guide to internet connection speeds

Knowing the difference between bits and bytes is key to understanding broadband download times and figuring out what broadband speed you need.

Read our bits and bytes guide
a wireless router sat on a table in a living room
14 June 2022

What is a wireless router?

Read our guide to wireless routers to find out how to set them up and how they get your home connected to the internet.

Read our guide to Wi-Fi routers
22 July 2021

Five important details to look for in your broadband bill

Find out the key details to be aware of in your next broadband bill, so you can avoid price hikes and unwanted fees.

Read our guide to broadband bills

Broadband speeds

Ever wondered what broadband speed you need? We've got your broadband speed questions covered here.

Woman using phone and laptop
25 January 2024

What broadband speed do I need? - Uswitch

Take a look at our guide to broadband speed guide — find out what speeds you have available in your area and how to deal with slow broadband speed.

Read our guide to broadband speeds
Streaming on a laptop
25 September 2023

What broadband speed do I need for streaming?

The amount of broadband speed you need to stream depends on which platforms you use, what quality you stream in and how many people are in your household.

Read our broadband for streaming guide
woman frustrated by internet download speeds
07 November 2022

Download time calculator | Check your internet speed

Understanding broadband speeds and download times has never been easier with our download speed calculator. Find out real download times based on your broadband speed with this guide.

Read more about broadband download times

Solving problems with your broadband

From complaints to internet connection issues, check out our best tips to help solve your broadband problems.

Woman looking very frustrated at her broadband connection
08 March 2024

Broadband outage in the UK | What to do when your broadband goes down

What happens when your broadband goes down? What can you do about it? And how long will you be offline? Here's how to deal with an internet outage.

Read out broadband outages guide
child learning from home with his teacher on a video call
13 February 2024

Broadband social tariffs for universal credit and low incomes - Uswitch

If you're on Universal Credit or receiving other financial benefits, you can find a much cheaper broadband deal with these providers.

Read our guide on broadband social tariffs
why your internet is slow guide
12 February 2024

Why is my internet so slow? - Uswitch

Here are all the things that could be causing your internet to slow down, and what you can do to fix it.

Read our guide to improving internet speed

Broadband price rises

Covering the latest price rise announcements from all of the major providers.

woman at home paying her bills looking concerned at her laptop
13 March 2024

Broadband price rises in 2024 explained - Uswitch

Broadband prices going up mid-contract? Learn why prices are increasing by as much as 8.8% in spring 2024, and what you can do about it if you're affected.

Read our broadband price rises guide
man sat at a desk on the phone while looking at his laptop
01 March 2024

EE broadband price rise 2024: what can you do? | Uswitch

EE is hiking prices by 7.9% for nearly every customer from 31 March 2024. Find out what you can do if you’re an EE broadband customer.

Read more about EE broadband price rises
two people at home sorting out their bills
17 January 2024

How to save money on your broadband bill - Uswitch

Looking for ways to save money on your monthly bills? Here's how you can reduce what you spend on your broadband.

Read our saving money on broadband tips

Mobile broadband

Interested in mobile broadband? Check out our mobile broadband explainer guides to find out more.

woman working on her laptop outside
08 March 2024

MiFi device vs mobile broadband router: what’s the difference?

Wondering what is MiFi? Thinking of getting for 5G home broadband? Find out the difference, and which type of mobile broadband is right for you.

Read our MiFi mobile broadband guide
woman working with laptop on the train
31 January 2024

How to use a mobile internet dongle - Uswitch

Wondering what is a broadband dongle? Want to ask what is a USB mobile broadband stick? Read the Uswitch guide to mobile broadband dongles, plus compare dongles.

Read our guide to mobile internet dongles
07 September 2023

What is 5G home broadband?

5G home broadband could provide you with download speeds well over 200Mbps, all without the need for a landline or an engineer visit to get you setup.

Read our 5G broadband guide

Broadband providers

Our latest news and advice on broadband providers.

“Smaller providers were voted best value for money broadband.”
18 March 2024

The best value for money broadband providers in the UK

See which providers offer the fastest speeds for the cheapest prices, and find out what else you should look out for to find great value.

Read our value for money guide
woman smiling at her phone while sat on her sofa
30 October 2023

Altnet broadband providers: how to get cheap full fibre

Altnets are smaller broadband providers offering full fibre-only deals. Find out why they're on the rise and see if there are any in your area.

Read our guide to altnet providers
poster of virgin media o2 volt
26 May 2023

How to get Volt benefits from Virgin Media O2 - Uswitch

What benefits do you get for being a Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile customer? Find out with our detailed guide on Volt.

Read our guide to Volt benefits

Switching broadband

If you're looking for more information on switching broadband, our guides cover everything from how to switch broadband to how to get the best deals.

how to switch broadband guide
06 March 2024

How to switch broadband - a guide to changing your provider

Want to switch your broadband service? Here's how to do it all, from finding the speed you need to choosing the right provider and deal for you.

Read our guide on switching broadband
How to claim your broadband vouchers guide - man shopping
28 November 2023

How to claim your broadband vouchers, gift cards and reward cards after you switch

Broadband providers often offer gift vouchers or reward cards when you switch, here's how to claim your broadband vouchers so you don't miss out.

Read our guide to broadband vouchers
woman using broadband working on her laptop at home
07 July 2023

How to choose broadband - find the right broadband package

Want to know how to choose broadband? Uswitch explains what to look for in our quick guide on choosing the best type of broadband for you and your household.

Read our guide to choosing the right deal

Gaming broadband

Online gaming requires a good connection, fast speed and plenty of bandwidth. Find out how you can get the best broadband for your gaming here.

Young Adult Losing Video Games
27 September 2023

Lag, ping and latency in online gaming - Uswitch

What's the difference between lag, ping and latency, and how will it affect your online gaming experience?

Read our guide to gaming latency
child playing on Nintendo Switch
30 May 2023

How to set up Nintendo Switch parental controls - Uswitch

Here's how to set up Nintendo Switch parental controls if you're looking to keep your children safe online – even when they're using family-friendly consoles like the Switch.

Read more about Switch parental controls
Children playing PlayStation
06 September 2022

How to set up PlayStation parental controls - Uswitch

Set up parental controls on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 to keep your kids safe online, prevent them from spending money or communicating with strangers.

Read more about PlayStation parental controls

Types of broadband connections

There are lots of broadband connections available in the UK but where you live will determine whether it is available to you. Read our broadband connection guides for more information.

image fo a woman using full fibre broadband at home
20 February 2024

What is full fibre broadband? - Uswitch

Full fibre is the fastest type of broadband in the UK. Find out all you need to know about full fibre broadband, and whether it’s available at your home.

Read our guide to full fibre
Happy 60s older mature middle aged adult woman using digital tablet on Wi-Fi
29 November 2023

The different types of broadband in the UK - Uswitch

Find out all about the different broadband connections available in the UK, and which ones would be best for you and your household.

Read our different types of broadband guide
image of fibre optic cable
25 October 2022

Fibre broadband | How does fibre optic broadband work?

How does fibre-optic broadband work? Which fibre broadband package is right for me? Do you need a phone line? Take a look at our guide.

Read our fibre broadband guide

Broadband studies

Read our latest broadband studies. From the Global Broadband Index to the most successful movie sequels, we've got you covered.

Feature image with the title "200+ UK fibre broadband statistics 2024" next to a fibre optic cable
01 February 2024

200+ UK Fibre Broadband Statistics 2024 - Fibre Broadband Facts & Stats Report | Uswitch.com

Which UK region is the best for full fibre broadband? We’ve compiled over 200 fibre broadband statistics covering fibre availability, download speeds, and more.

Learn more
Feature image containing a modem alongside the title UK broadband access statistics 2023.
26 September 2023

UK Broadband Access Statistics 2023

Click here to find the latest UK broadband access statistics for 2023, covering fibre broadband access, usage reports, urban vs. rural broadband, and more.

Learn more
A feature image showing a device monitoring internet speed alongside the title 'UK broadband speed statistics 2023'.
26 September 2023

UK Broadband Speed Statistics 2023

This page includes relevant broadband speed statistics for 2023, such as UK broadband download speeds, which region has the fastest internet, and the national average broadband speed.

Learn more