BT Full Fibre 500 Review: The Family Powerhouse
Stepping up to a 500Mbps broadband plan is a serious commitment to a buffer-free home. It promises to handle multiple 4K streams, large game downloads, and video calls all at once without breaking a sweat. But does BT’s Full Fibre 500 deliver on this promise of effortless, high-performance internet?
As the UK’s largest provider using the extensive Openreach full fibre network, BT positions this plan as the ideal sweet spot for busy, connected families. We’ve analysed the specs, real-world user experiences, and the fine print to see if it offers genuine value or if you’re just paying for a brand name.
BT Broadband
Fast Reliable Nationwide Broadband
✅ Guaranteed minimum speeds up to 900 Mbps.
✅ Highly rated BT Smart Hub routers
✅ Great customer support with quick response rates.
BT Full Fibre 500 Speed Comparison Tool
What this means for you:
Speed & Performance: Powerful and Consistent
Key Stats
| Metric | BT Full Fibre 500 |
|---|---|
| Average Download Speed | 500Mbps |
| Average Upload Speed | 73Mbps |
| Guaranteed Minimum Speed | 425Mbps (to the router) |
| Latency (Ping) | 8-15 ms |
Real-World Performance
- Wired Consistency: When connected via Ethernet, many users report achieving speeds very close to the advertised 500Mbps, often between 480-495Mbps . The Stay Fast Guarantee ensures you get a minimum of 425Mbps to your hub, offering peace of mind .
- Upload Capability: The 73Mbps upload speed is a standout feature, making it excellent for video conferencing, cloud backups, and content creation .
- Wi-Fi Reality: A common point of frustration is Wi-Fi performance. The provided Smart Hub 2 uses Wi-Fi 5 technology, and users with older (2.4GHz) devices often experience much lower speeds, sometimes as low as 13-17Mbps, highlighting that device capabilities and router placement are critical .
Who Actually Needs 500Mbps?
✅ Large households (4+ people) with multiple simultaneous internet users .
✅ Heavy downloaders of games or 4K video content .
✅ Remote workers who need reliable uploads for video calls and sending large files .
✅ Households with many smart devices (e.g., 70+ Alexa devices, and CCTV cameras) .
❌ Smaller households (1-3 people) with basic streaming and browsing needs.
What Can You Do with 500Mbps?
Plan Breakdown: Pricing and Packages
BT’s Full Fibre 500 is typically offered on a 24-month contract. Promotions often include reward cards, but be aware of the annual price increase.
Plan & Pricing Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Monthly Cost (Broadband Only) | £31.99 per month |
| Contract Length | 24 months |
| Setup Fee | Free on standard installations |
| Annual Price Increase | CPI + 3.9% every March |
Optional Add-ons:
- Complete Wi-Fi: For £10/month, you get a mesh Wi-Fi system with discs to guarantee a reliable signal in every room. BT offers a £100 refund if it doesn’t work .
- 4G Backup (via Halo 3): An optional upgrade that provides a 4G mini hub to keep you online if your fibre connection fails .
Current Promotions: BT frequently includes incentives like a £70 Reward Card with this plan, which can offset the overall cost .
Price Comparison Table – How BT Full Fibre 500 Stacks Up
| Provider | Plan Speed | Monthly Cost | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT | 500Mbps | £31.99 | Stay Fast Guarantee, UK support, reward cards |
| Virgin Media | 500Mbps+ | ~£30-£35 (est.) | Often faster downloads, but lower upload speeds |
| Community Fibre | 500Mbps | ~£25 (est.) | Often cheaper, with symmetrical upload speeds |
Router & Hardware: The Smart Hub 2
Included Router: Smart Hub 2
- Wi-Fi Standard: The provided router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) technology. While capable, this is a generation behind the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard offered by some competitors .
- Performance: It features four gigabit Ethernet ports and is generally reliable for delivering the full fibre speeds on a wired connection .
- Limitation: As seen in user reports, its Wi-Fi performance can be a bottleneck, especially for devices that only support the 2.4GHz band or are located far from the router .
Customer Service and Reliability
BT has a mixed reputation for customer service but scores well for reliability.
- UK-Based Support: A majority of support calls are handled in the UK and Ireland .
- Customer Satisfaction: An independent survey scored BT broadband highly for reliability (4.06/5) and setup (4.11/5), though value for money (3.68/5) and customer service (3.73/5) ratings were lower .
- Ofcom Data: Ofcom’s reports show BT performs around the industry average for customer service .
BT Broadband
Fast Reliable Nationwide Broadband
✅ Guaranteed minimum speeds up to 900 Mbps.
✅ Highly rated BT Smart Hub routers
✅ Great customer support with quick response rates.
Verdict: A Solid Mid-Tier Contender
Choose BT Full Fibre 500 if:
✅ You are a medium to large, data-hungry household with multiple simultaneous internet users.
✅ You value the Stay Fast Guarantee as a form of performance insurance.
✅ Reliability and consistent wired speeds are your top priorities.
Consider alternatives if:
❌ You are on a very tight budget and want the absolute cheapest plan.
❌ Your home devices are mostly older and only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, as the Smart Hub 2 may not provide a full experience.
❌ You need the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology standard in your included router.
Final Thoughts
BT’s Full Fibre 500 is the reliable family estate car of broadband – not the flashiest ride on the road, but built to comfortably carry a heavy load day in, day out. It delivers a robust 500Mbps that makes light work of family streaming and large downloads, backed by the unique Stay Fast Guarantee (425Mbps minimum) that provides genuine performance insurance.
At £31.99/month, it hits a competitive sweet spot, often undercutting Virgin Media’s comparable plans. However, you’re making one significant compromise: the Wi-Fi 5 Smart Hub 2 feels dated next to the Wi-Fi 6 routers offered by EE and Vodafone, potentially bottlenecking your wireless speeds. For larger homes, the £10/month Complete Wi-Fi mesh add-on is almost essential.
My take: Go for BT Full Fibre 500 if you’re a data-hungry household that values reliability, strong UK support, and that crucial speed guarantee. If you’re a serious gamer or have a house full of next-gen gadgets, the dated router is a real drawback—pay the extra few pounds for EE. For pure value in covered areas, always check if a cheaper alt-net like Community Fibre serves your street first.
Still torn? Compare all 500Mbps deals here.
Checkout Our Other BT Reviews Below
BT Full Fibre 100 Review
BT Full Fibre 150 Review
BT Full Fibre 300 Review
BT Full Fibre 900 Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stay Fast Guarantee?
BT guarantees a minimum download speed of 425Mbps for the Full Fibre 500 plan. If your speed, as tested to the hub, consistently falls below this level and the issue is within BT’s control, you can exit your contract without a fee .
Is the Smart Hub 2 router any good?
The Smart Hub 2 is a capable router that reliably handles the speeds of this plan for most homes on a wired connection. Its main drawback is that it uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, so it may not be as efficient in very dense device environments as some competitors’ routers .
Are there any hidden costs?
The main cost to be aware of is the annual price increase applied every March (CPI + 3.9%), which is built into your contract terms . Additionally, valuable add-ons like Complete Wi-Fi and 4G backup cost extra .
Do I need to pay for a landline?
No. You can choose a broadband-only package. If you want a home phone, you will use Digital Voice, which routes calls over your broadband connection for an additional fee .
What is the availability of this plan?
BT’s Full Fibre 500 is available to over 52% of UK properties and growing. You will need to check your postcode on BT’s website to confirm availability at your address .
