In today’s digital era, having an internet connection is vital for every household. Research shows that a large portion of the population depends on being online. For instance, a recent Oxford study found that approximately 21% of all Brits are engaged in some form of online learning.
Additionally, surveys on remote work indicate that the UK has the highest number of remote workers in Europe, with around 40% of the current workforce regularly working from home.
Unfortunately, the UK is known for its lackluster internet service. According to a Virgin Media report, the average household broadband speed falls just below 70Mbps, significantly lower than the global average of 92 to 113Mbps.
Surprisingly, even in London, where one might expect better connectivity due to its urban infrastructure, the city ranks only 76th in international internet speed ratings.
As a result, many people are considering switching to fibre broadband to improve their internet connection. But how does fibre technology work, and how can you install it in your home without spending too much? Keep reading to find out.
A Brief Overview of Fibre Broadband
Fibre broadband is a type of broadband technology that fully or partly uses fibre optic cables. This is why it is also sometimes called fibre optic broadband.
Unlike standard ADSL broadband that only uses copper wires, the fibre optic cables allow data to travel at the speed of light, making connections much faster.
In the UK Fibre broadband is one of the three widely accessible broadband options. By 2023, approximately 17 million households had switched to fibre broadband, benefiting nearly five million Britons with faster internet speeds and potentially lower costs.
However, despite its advantages, the affordability of fibre broadband may still pose a challenge to broader adoption. On one side, regulatory body Ofcom highlights that many broadband providers, such as Sky, frequently raise their prices.
This is because these providers can adjust their prices in line with inflation measures like the Retail Price Index (RPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI), resulting in potential increases of up to £6 per month.
As a result, Citizens Advice reported that approximately one million Brits opted to reduce their broadband services. Fortunately, installing fibre in your home can be done without straining your finances.
Enjoying Fiber Broadband Without Breaking the Bank: 3 Cost-Effective Options
1. Decide between FTTC and FTTP
When making any purchase, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting. In the world of fibre broadband, there are several sub-categories, but the most common ones are FTTC and FTTP.
FTTC, or fibre to the cabinet, utilises the closest street cabinet and copper cables to your home, making it generally more accessible and less costly to install. However, it may offer slightly slower speeds and requires a landline, which could be inconvenient for some households.
On the other hand, FTTP, also known as fibre to the premises or fibre to the home (FTTH), directly connects to your residence, resulting in better connections with speeds up to four times faster than other broadband types.
While FTTP may come with a higher price tag, it’s considered more future-proof, as upgrades can be implemented without replacing the entire fibre infrastructure.
Understanding these differences allows you to make an informed decision about which type of fibre best suits your home, avoiding costly and inconvenient changes in the future.
2. Invest in bigger and longer plans
Choosing larger fibre broadband plans might seem counterintuitive at first, but it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run.
Most providers offer various plans with different speeds and contract lengths. To illustrate, full fibre business broadband, take Zzoomm, for example—they offer plans from 150Mbps to 2,000Mbps.
While all their plans are competitively priced, the higher-tier ones often come with discounts, saving you up to £120 over a year.
Additionally, providers often encourage customers to choose longer contracts by offering perks like a new router, free installation, unlimited data, and protection against price increases during the contract.
This not only ensures better internet connectivity but also saves you money over time. Larger plans are especially beneficial for big families since they eliminate the need for extra data purchases.
Although it might seem intimidating, especially if you’re not tech-savvy, think of it like buying in bulk—it’s a smart way to save money in the long term.
3. Sign Up for Regular Notifications
For most people, turning off notifications is almost automatic. It makes sense because who wants to deal with annoying ads and spam?
However, it’s actually wise to subscribe to notifications from essential utility service providers. Even if you haven’t settled on the right fibre broadband plan yet, signing up for regular updates can keep you in the loop.
This ensures you’re aware of any new offers that may better suit your needs. For example, Virgin Media often introduces new deals featuring discounts on subscriptions and referral bonuses.
Since some offers have limited availability, timely notifications are crucial. To avoid getting overwhelmed by notifications, just specify your preferred channels (like social media, mobile, or email) for updates.
In today’s world, fibre broadband isn’t just about convenience—it’s also an important upgrade for your home. For example, if you’re trying to increase the value of your property, enhancing your home’s connectivity can make a big difference.
In addition to traditional methods like adding extensions or renovating rooms, having reliable broadband options can significantly boost your house value and home’s appeal to potential renters or buyers.
So, don’t hesitate to switch to fibre, but make sure to research your options thoroughly beforehand.
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