{"id":11771,"date":"2026-11-03T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/?p=11771"},"modified":"2026-11-01T20:31:43","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T20:31:43","slug":"what-broadband-speed-do-i-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/","title":{"rendered":"What Broadband Speed Do I Need?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most homes of one or two people need 30 to 150Mbps, a family streaming in 4K needs 150 to 300Mbps, and busy homes with gamers, home workers and cameras are better on 500Mbps or 900Mbps. The legal floor in the UK is 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload, which Ofcom calls &#x201C;decent broadband&#x201D;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"What broadband speed do I need? For optimal home connectivity, explore guided tips from Broadband Guides - All You Need To Know &amp; More!.\" class=\"wp-image-11770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/storage.149.102.158.7.sslip.io\/cbp\/2026\/11\/What-Broadband-Speed-Do-I-Need.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/figure><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">What's Inside<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#The_short_answer_speed_bands_by_household\">The short answer: speed bands by household<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Ofcoms_speed_categories\">Ofcom&#x2019;s speed categories<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#How_much_speed_each_activity_needs\">How much speed each activity needs<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Streaming_in_HD_and_4K\">Streaming in HD and 4K<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Video_calls_and_home_working\">Video calls and home working<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Gaming_and_big_downloads\">Gaming and big downloads<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Smart_homes_and_cameras\">Smart homes and cameras<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Upload_speed_the_number_most_people_ignore\">Upload speed: the number most people ignore<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#The_legal_minimum_Ofcoms_10Mbps_decent_broadband\">The legal minimum: Ofcom&#x2019;s 10Mbps decent broadband<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Working_out_your_own_number\">Working out your own number<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Add_up_what_runs_at_the_same_time\">Add up what runs at the same time<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#What_going_faster_costs_over_24_months\">What going faster costs over 24 months<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Check_before_you_buy_test_after\">Check before you buy, test after<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\/#Common_questions\">Common questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide sets out four speed bands by household, shows what each activity really uses according to the companies behind it (Netflix, Zoom, Xbox, Ring), and gives real package prices for each band, checked on 1 November 2026 at a sample UK address. Prices depend on your postcode, so treat them as a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cbp-stats\"><div class=\"cbp-stat\"><b>10Mbps<\/b><span>Ofcom's decent broadband minimum <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_8eb5fb7576d73b7d261a84bc9f920cc4\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/download-speed\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>download speed<\/a> under the USO<\/span><\/div><div class=\"cbp-stat\"><b>15Mbps<\/b><span>Netflix's recommended speed for one 4K stream<\/span><\/div><div class=\"cbp-stat\"><b>285Mbps<\/b><span>UK average maximum download speed in 2025, according to Ofcom<\/span><\/div><div class=\"cbp-stat\"><b>82%<\/b><span>UK homes able to get full fibre, January 2026<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_short_answer_speed_bands_by_household\"><\/span>The short answer: speed bands by household<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pick the band that matches the busiest hour in your home, not an average evening. Speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps); 1Gbps is 1,000Mbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list cbp-cards\">\n<li><strong>Band 1: 30 to 150Mbps.<\/strong> One or two people browsing, emailing, streaming in HD and making the odd video call. One 4K TV is fine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Band 2: 150 to 300Mbps.<\/strong> A family of three or four, with two 4K streams at once, someone working from home on video calls and casual gaming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Band 3: 300 to 500Mbps.<\/strong> Four or five people, several 4K TVs, a gamer who downloads big games, home workers uploading large files, or a <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_281a2aa2e043306cef303d869641ba3e\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/smart-home\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>smart home<\/a> with several HD cameras.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Band 4: 900Mbps and above.<\/strong> Five or more heavy users, more than one serious gamer, people uploading video or large files every day, or a home with several 2K or 4K cameras.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-cap wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Speed bands and example packages, November 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table cbp-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Household<\/th><th>Recommended speed<\/th><th>Example packages (monthly starting price)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1&#x2013;2 people, browsing and HD streaming<\/td><td>Band 1: 30&#x2013;150Mbps<\/td><td>Vodafone Full Fibre 150 &#xA3;20.50; Plusnet Full Fibre 145 &#xA3;21.99; Sky Full Fibre 150 &#xA3;24; TalkTalk Full Fibre 150 &#xA3;25<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Family of 3&#x2013;4, 4K streaming, home working<\/td><td>Band 2: 150&#x2013;300Mbps<\/td><td>Plusnet Full Fibre 300 &#xA3;23.99; BT Fibre 300 &#xA3;26.99; NOW Full Fibre 300 &#xA3;27; Virgin Media M350 with phone &#xA3;28.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4&#x2013;5 people, gamers, uploads, cameras<\/td><td>Band 3: 300&#x2013;500Mbps<\/td><td>Vodafone Full Fibre 500 &#xA3;24; Plusnet Full Fibre 500 &#xA3;25.99; Sky Full Fibre 500 &#xA3;27; Virgin Media M500 with phone &#xA3;30.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5+ heavy users, creators, several 4K cameras<\/td><td>Band 4: 900Mbps+<\/td><td>Vodafone Full Fibre 910 &#xA3;26.50; EE Full Fibre 900Mb &#xA3;26.99; BT Fibre 900 &#xA3;28.99; Sky Full Fibre Gigafast &#xA3;29; Virgin Media Gig1 with phone &#xA3;32.99<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prices are 24-month contracts. BT, EE, Plusnet, Vodafone, TalkTalk and Virgin Media add fixed rises each spring; Sky and NOW prices are variable mid-contract. Virgin Media&rsquo;s cable <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_f4a77d709954af323a24064510e3e6a1\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/network\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>network<\/a> doesn&rsquo;t reach every street, so its deals are where available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look at the gaps between rows. At our sample address, Vodafone&#x2019;s 910Mbps plan started just &#xA3;6 a month above its 150Mbps plan. Where full fibre reaches you, the cheapest deal is often already 150Mbps, so few households need to pay for anything slower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-popcorn-senary-color-border-color is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7d0d8a1f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:0.5rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Vodafone Broadband<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-03506249 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"151\" height=\"121\" src=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vodafone-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6605\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:185px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Great Value For Money Great Hardware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Packages offering speeds up to 1.1 Gbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#9989; Latest <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_fec65dd0c2d0139e688550c76ecd13cd\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/wi-fi\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>Wi-Fi<\/a> hardware eliminating dead zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Great customer support with quick response rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-bc43f0fd wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/tracking.comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/vodafonefullfibre900\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\"><strong>VODAFONE DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-popcorn-secondary-color-background-color has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>COMPARE DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ofcoms_speed_categories\"><\/span>Ofcom&#x2019;s speed categories<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Office of Communications (Ofcom) sorts broadband into three groups, and uses them on its checker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list cbp-cards\">\n<li><strong>Standard broadband, up to 30Mbps.<\/strong> Ofcom says this is enough for basic browsing, email and standard video.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Superfast broadband, 30 to 300Mbps.<\/strong> In Ofcom&#x2019;s words, it &#x201C;suits most everyday use, such as working from home, video calls and streaming&#x201D;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ultrafast broadband, 300Mbps or more.<\/strong> Better if several people are online at once, you stream a lot, play games online or download large files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gigabit broadband is the top of the ultrafast range: 1Gbps or more, delivered over full fibre or Virgin Media&#x2019;s cable broadband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ofcom&#x2019;s Connected Nations update says full fibre reached 82% of UK homes and gigabit-capable broadband 89% by January 2026. Its 2025 report put the UK&#x2019;s average speed (the average maximum download speed delivered to homes) at 285Mbps, up from 223Mbps a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_speed_each_activity_needs\"><\/span>How much speed each activity needs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the figures the companies themselves publish. They are per device or per stream, so add them up for everything that runs at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-cap wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What each activity needs, by published source<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table cbp-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Activity<\/th><th>Download speed<\/th><th>Upload speed<\/th><th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Web browsing and music streaming<\/td><td>1Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Ofcom<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Netflix in HD (720p)<\/td><td>3Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Netflix<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Netflix in Full HD (1080p)<\/td><td>5Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Netflix<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Netflix in 4K (UHD)<\/td><td>15Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Netflix<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>One person streaming Ultra HD<\/td><td>30Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Ofcom<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Several people streaming Ultra HD<\/td><td>300Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Ofcom<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zoom 1:1 video call, 1080p<\/td><td>3.0Mbps<\/td><td>3.8Mbps<\/td><td>Zoom<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>HD video call<\/td><td>10Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Ofcom<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Xbox Cloud Gaming<\/td><td>20Mbps<\/td><td><\/td><td>Xbox<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ring camera, 1080p \/ 2K \/ 4K<\/td><td><\/td><td>2Mbps \/ 10Mbps \/ 15Mbps<\/td><td>Ring<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Streaming_in_HD_and_4K\"><\/span>Streaming in HD and 4K<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Netflix recommends a stable 15Mbps for each 4K stream, 5Mbps for Full HD and 3Mbps for HD. Ofcom&#x2019;s rough guide is more generous, at 30Mbps for one person streaming Ultra HD and 300Mbps for several.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gap is headroom: Ofcom&#x2019;s figures leave room for everything else in the house and for WiFi that is slower than the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two 4K TVs on Netflix&#x2019;s figures need 30Mbps, which Band 1 covers on paper. In practice, a family with two or more 4K screens is more comfortable in Band 2. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/connectivity\/entertainment\/broadband-speed-requirements-hd-4k-streaming\/\">speeds for HD and 4K streaming<\/a> goes service by service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Video_calls_and_home_working\"><\/span>Video calls and home working<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Video calls use less than most people think, but they use upload as well as download. Zoom recommends 3.8Mbps up and 3.0Mbps down for a 1080p one-to-one call, and 2.6Mbps up and 1.8Mbps down for a 720p group call. Ofcom&#x2019;s guide allows 10Mbps for an HD video call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bigger strain on a home worker&#x2019;s line is sending files. Cloud backups, large documents and video all go up the line, and that is where cheaper packages fall short (see the upload section below). One home worker on calls fits Band 1. Two people on calls while others stream points to Band 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gaming_and_big_downloads\"><\/span>Gaming and big downloads<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online games send small amounts of data, so speed matters less than <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_7019dd3c4fcaafe50da1e3316e438e4c\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/latency\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>latency<\/a>, the delay between you and the game <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_2e20d6d0714dcbfebae9571208ef9169\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/server\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>server<\/a>. <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_ec70f6c181508c023fac7d636f02da54\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/jitter\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>Jitter<\/a> (uneven delay) and <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_a261d08810a4ca5da28cbfc84792c038\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/packet-loss\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>packet loss<\/a> cause lag even on a fast line. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/connectivity\/gaming\/broadband-gaming\/\">broadband for online gaming<\/a> covers <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_f9be012dabd41617589aeae8920a2e51\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/ping-2\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>ping<\/a> and wired connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speed matters for two things. Cloud gaming streams the game as video: Xbox recommends at least 20Mbps for Xbox Cloud Gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Game downloads are huge. A 100GB download takes about 2 hours 13 minutes at 100Mbps, about 27 minutes at 500Mbps and about 15 minutes at 900Mbps, before any slowdown from WiFi or the game&#x2019;s servers. A household with a keen gamer belongs in Band 3 or 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smart_homes_and_cameras\"><\/span>Smart homes and cameras<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smart plugs, speakers and thermostats use very little. Cameras are different, because they upload video. Ring says each device needs at least 1Mbps, and lists upload speeds per device of 2Mbps at 1080p, 10Mbps at 2K and 15Mbps at 4K. It says to add the figures together for every camera you own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four 2K cameras need 40Mbps upload of upload on their own. That is more than the 20Mbps average upload speed Virgin Media quotes for its M125 package. A home with several HD or 4K cameras should choose its package on upload speed first, which usually means Band 3 or 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Upload_speed_the_number_most_people_ignore\"><\/span>Upload speed: the number most people ignore<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Download speed is the headline figure on every deal. Upload speed is how fast you send data: video calls, cloud backups, posting video, gaming voice chat and security cameras. On many packages it is a fraction of the download figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Virgin Media publishes its averages. Its M125 package offers a 132Mbps average <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_8eb5fb7576d73b7d261a84bc9f920cc4\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/download-speed\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>download speed<\/a> and a 20Mbps average upload. M500 averages 52Mbps upload, and Gig1 averages 104Mbps. Sending a 2GB video file takes about 13 minutes at 20Mbps and under 3 minutes at 104Mbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-popcorn-senary-color-border-color is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7d0d8a1f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:0.5rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Virgin Media Broadband<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-03506249 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"189\" src=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/banner_virgin.png\" alt=\"virgin Broadband Offers\" class=\"wp-image-6378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/banner_virgin.png 400w, https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/banner_virgin-300x142.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Great Speed and Reliability<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; You crave speed and reliability for streaming\/gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Bundling TV\/mobile saves you money (especially with Volt).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Future-proofing matters (Gig1\/Gig2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-bc43f0fd wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/tracking.comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/virginbroadband\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\"><strong>VIRGIN DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-popcorn-secondary-color-background-color has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>COMPARE DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upload figures vary a lot between providers and between full fibre, part fibre and cable broadband. Ask for the upload speed in the provider&#x2019;s speed information before you sign. If you are unsure which line type you&#x2019;re being offered, our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/types-broadband\/fibre-vs-full-fibre\/\">part fibre or full fibre<\/a> explains the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_legal_minimum_Ofcoms_10Mbps_decent_broadband\"><\/span>The legal minimum: Ofcom&#x2019;s 10Mbps decent broadband<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO), Ofcom defines a &#x201C;decent connection&#x201D; as at least 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. If you can&#x2019;t get that, you can ask BT (or KCOM in Hull) for an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-popcorn-senary-color-border-color is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7d0d8a1f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:0.5rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">BT Broadband<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-03506249 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1222\" height=\"815\" src=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bt1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6680\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bt1.jpg 1222w, https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bt1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bt1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bt1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1222px) 100vw, 1222px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fast Reliable Nationwide Broadband<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Guaranteed minimum speeds up to 900 Mbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Highly rated BT Smart Hub routers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-popcorn-font-s-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2705; Great customer support with quick response rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-bc43f0fd wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/tracking.comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/fullfibre900\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\"><strong>BT DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-popcorn-secondary-color-background-color has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>COMPARE DEALS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don&#x2019;t need to be a customer, and the work is free if your share of the build costs &#xA3;3,400 or less. The service itself must cost no more than &#xA3;59.60 a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ofcom&rsquo;s illustration says a 10Mbps line can let several people go online at once, including <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_79783dc206385e111fbbbe4495784b31\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/streaming-video\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>streaming video<\/a>. It is a floor, not a target. Ofcom estimated in January 2026 that only 4,000 UK premises had no access to affordable decent broadband, mainly thanks to cheaper satellite deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Working_out_your_own_number\"><\/span>Working out your own number<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Add_up_what_runs_at_the_same_time\"><\/span>Add up what runs at the same time<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take your busiest hour and add up the published figures. A family of four on a weekday evening might have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list cbp-check\">\n<li>two 4K Netflix streams: 30Mbps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>one parent on a 1080p Zoom call: 3Mbps down, 3.8Mbps up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a teenager on Xbox Cloud Gaming: 20Mbps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>phones and smart speakers browsing: a few Mbps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That totals about 55Mbps download. So why does this guide put that family in Band 2? Because the sum ignores game and app updates that start on their own, WiFi losses in rooms far from the <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_0db522e294452074795219456b014594\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/router\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>router<\/a>, and the higher figures Ofcom uses for several people streaming in Ultra HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A connection at two to three times your sum leaves room for all of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How many devices a connection supports depends on what they do, not how many there are. Twenty phones idling use less than one 4K stream. If a single room keeps <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_c42adb740822f7814adffb3e3d1f06d0\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/buffering\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>buffering<\/a> while the rest of the house is fine, the problem is usually WiFi coverage, not your package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_going_faster_costs_over_24_months\"><\/span>What going faster costs over 24 months<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faster packages cost less extra than many people expect. Here is Plusnet&#x2019;s full fibre range at our sample address, over a 24-month contract starting in November 2026, including its fixed &#xA3;4 rise each spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-cap wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Plusnet full fibre: 24-month cost by speed, November 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table cbp-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Package<\/th><th>Starting price<\/th><th>24-month total<\/th><th>Reward<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Full Fibre 145<\/td><td>&#xA3;21.99<\/td><td>&#xA3;631.76<\/td><td>&#xA3;125<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Full Fibre 300<\/td><td>&#xA3;23.99<\/td><td>&#xA3;679.76<\/td><td>&#xA3;140<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Full Fibre 500<\/td><td>&#xA3;25.99<\/td><td>&#xA3;727.76<\/td><td>&#xA3;145<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Full Fibre 900<\/td><td>&#xA3;26.99<\/td><td>&#xA3;751.76<\/td><td>&#xA3;150<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going from 145Mbps to 900Mbps adds &#xA3;120 over two years, or &#xA3;95 once the bigger reward is counted. That is about &#xA3;4 a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#x2019;re in Band 2 and close to Band 3, the step up is often cheap. If you&#x2019;re firmly in Band 1, the money is better kept: see our <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/broadband-plans\/cheapest-broadband\/\">cheapest broadband deals<\/a> and our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/broadband-plans\/broadband-cost\/\">what broadband costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_before_you_buy_test_after\"><\/span>Check before you buy, test after<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you choose, enter your postcode in Ofcom&#x2019;s broadband checker. It shows which types of broadband reach your address and the fastest speeds available, from standard to ultrafast. A provider&#x2019;s estimate for your exact address is more useful than the headline &#x201C;up to&#x201D; figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Test your current speed now: run it once next to the router, then where you actually use the device.<\/strong><\/p>\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/broadbandspeedtest.uk.com\/embed\" width=\"380\" height=\"480\" style=\"border:none; border-radius:12px; overflow:hidden; display:block; margin:0 auto; max-width:100%;\" title=\"Free Broadband Speed Test Widget\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n<p style=\"text-align:center; font-size:12px; color:#888; margin-top:6px;\">Powered by <a href=\"https:\/\/broadbandspeedtest.uk.com\" style=\"color:#7C3AED;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BroadbandSpeedTest.uk.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After you <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_27ce9e2dade15afb0d31ca2454d6c685\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/switch\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>switch<\/a>, run a broadband <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_72443309b43b726ab5ccb48fb4460fae\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/speed-test\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>speed test<\/a>. Netflix points people to Fast.com, and Ring suggests testing twice: next to the router, then where the device is. A good result by the router and a poor one elsewhere means the WiFi needs work, not the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ring&#x2019;s rule of thumb is to contact your provider if you get less than 60% of the speed you pay for. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/performance\/broadband-speed-performance\/\">broadband speed and performance guide<\/a> covers testing and fixes in more depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cbp-widget\"><div class=\"cbp-widget-in cbp-calc\" data-presets='[{\"label\": \"Plusnet 145Mbps vs 900Mbps\", \"a\": {\"n\": \"Plusnet Full Fibre 145\", \"p\": 21.99, \"r\": 4, \"m\": 5, \"x\": 0, \"f\": 0, \"w\": 125}, \"b\": {\"n\": \"Plusnet Full Fibre 900\", \"p\": 26.99, \"r\": 4, \"m\": 5, \"x\": 0, \"f\": 0, \"w\": 150}}, {\"label\": \"Vodafone 150Mbps vs 910Mbps\", \"a\": {\"n\": \"Vodafone Full Fibre 150\", \"p\": 20.5, \"r\": 3.5, \"m\": 5, \"x\": 0, \"f\": 0, \"w\": 0}, \"b\": {\"n\": \"Vodafone Full Fibre 910\", \"p\": 26.5, \"r\": 3.5, \"m\": 5, \"x\": 0, \"f\": 0, \"w\": 165}}]'><span class=\"cbp-badge\">Interactive<\/span><div class=\"cbp-wt\">Compare two deals over 24 months<\/div><p>Load an example from this guide or type in any two deals. Every scheduled rise is added and the reward taken off.<\/p><div class=\"cbp-presets\" aria-label=\"Load an example\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-cols\"><div class=\"cbp-side\"><input class=\"cbp-name\" aria-label=\"Deal A name\" value=\"Deal A\"><label>Starting price, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"p\"><\/label><label>Rise each spring, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"r\"><\/label><label>Months before first rise<select data-k=\"m\"><option value=\"4\">4 (March rise)<\/option><option value=\"5\">5 (April rise)<\/option><option value=\"24\">No fixed rise<\/option><\/select><\/label><label>Add-ons bought separately, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"x\"><\/label><label>Set-up or activation fee, &#xA3;<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"f\"><\/label><label>Reward you will claim, &#xA3;<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"w\"><\/label><\/div><div class=\"cbp-side\"><input class=\"cbp-name\" aria-label=\"Deal B name\" value=\"Deal B\"><label>Starting price, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"p\"><\/label><label>Rise each spring, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"r\"><\/label><label>Months before first rise<select data-k=\"m\"><option value=\"4\">4 (March rise)<\/option><option value=\"5\">5 (April rise)<\/option><option value=\"24\">No fixed rise<\/option><\/select><\/label><label>Add-ons bought separately, &#xA3; a month<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"x\"><\/label><label>Set-up or activation fee, &#xA3;<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"f\"><\/label><label>Reward you will claim, &#xA3;<input type=\"number\" step=\"0.01\" min=\"0\" data-k=\"w\"><\/label><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cbp-out\"><div class=\"cbp-bar\"><div class=\"cbp-bar-l\"><span class=\"cbp-bar-n\"><\/span><span class=\"cbp-bar-v\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"cbp-bar-t\"><div class=\"cbp-bar-f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cbp-bar\"><div class=\"cbp-bar-l\"><span class=\"cbp-bar-n\"><\/span><span class=\"cbp-bar-v\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"cbp-bar-t\"><div class=\"cbp-bar-f alt\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cbp-verdict\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/div><\/div><p class=\"cbp-small\">Assumes a 24-month contract starting in November 2026, with each rise applying for 12 months. Sky&#x2019;s mid-contract rises aren&#x2019;t fixed in advance, so Sky examples assume no rise. Prices checked 31 October and 1 November 2026.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_questions\"><\/span>Common questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-qa wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is 100Mbps enough for a family?<\/strong> For many families, yes. On Netflix&#x2019;s figures, 100Mbps carries six 4K streams. It gets tight once you add cloud gaming, large downloads and several video calls at once, which is why this guide starts families at 150Mbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-qa wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is 30Mbps still enough?<\/strong> For one or two light users, often. It is the top of Ofcom&#x2019;s standard band and covers HD streaming and calls. But where full fibre is available, a 150Mbps deal may cost no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-qa wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do I need gigabit broadband?<\/strong> Only for heavy use: several gamers, daily large uploads or many 4K cameras. Ofcom&#x2019;s 2025 figures show average data use of 583GB a month per connection, and 738GB on full fibre, so most homes use far less than a gigabit line can carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-qa wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why don&#x2019;t I get the speed I pay for?<\/strong> WiFi, distance from the router, old devices and busy evenings can all cut the speed you see. Test with a wired connection first. If that is slow too, speak to your provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cbp-qa wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does full fibre help with lag?<\/strong> Full fibre uses fibre optic cable all the way to your home, and Ofcom says it is usually faster and more reliable than part-fibre broadband. Latency also depends on your <a class=\"glossaryLink\"  aria-describedby=\"tt\"  data-cmtooltip=\"cmtt_0db522e294452074795219456b014594\"  href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/glossary\/router\/\"  target=\"_blank\"  data-mobile-support=\"0\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>router<\/a>, WiFi and the game&rsquo;s servers, so a wired connection helps most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cbp-cta\"><div class=\"cbp-wt\">Compare broadband deals in your area<\/div><p>Prices depend on your postcode. Check what you can get at your address.<\/p><a class=\"cbp-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/\">Compare deals in your area<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<script>\n(function(){\nif(window.cbpInit)return;window.cbpInit=1;\nfunction gbp(n){return '\u00a3'+n.toLocaleString('en-GB',{minimumFractionDigits:2,maximumFractionDigits:2});}\nfunction run(){\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.cbp-calc').forEach(function(w){\n var presets=JSON.parse(w.getAttribute('data-presets'));\n var pb=w.querySelector('.cbp-presets');\n var sides=w.querySelectorAll('.cbp-side');\n function val(s,k){return parseFloat(s.querySelector('[data-k='+k+']').value)||0;}\n function tot(s){var p=val(s,'p'),r=val(s,'r'),m=Math.min(24,Math.max(0,val(s,'m'))),x=val(s,'x'),f=val(s,'f');\n  var m2=Math.min(12,24-m),m3=Math.max(0,24-m-12);\n  var t=p*m+(p+r)*m2+(p+2*r)*m3+x*24+f;return {t:Math.round(t*100)\/100,rw:val(s,'w')};}\n function calc(){\n  var out=[],max=0;\n  sides.forEach(function(s){var o=tot(s);o.n=s.querySelector('.cbp-name').value;o.a=o.t-o.rw;out.push(o);if(o.t>max)max=o.t;});\n  var bars=w.querySelectorAll('.cbp-bar');\n  out.forEach(function(o,i){bars[i].querySelector('.cbp-bar-n').textContent=o.n;\n   bars[i].querySelector('.cbp-bar-v').textContent=gbp(o.t)+(o.rw?' ('+gbp(o.a)+' after reward)':'');\n   bars[i].querySelector('.cbp-bar-f').style.width=(max?o.t\/max*100:0)+'%';});\n  var d=Math.round((out[0].a-out[1].a)*100)\/100,v=w.querySelector('.cbp-verdict');\n  if(Math.abs(d)<0.005)v.textContent='Level: both cost '+gbp(out[0].a)+' over 24 months after rewards.';\n  else{var c=d<0?out[0]:out[1];v.textContent=c.n+' is '+gbp(Math.abs(d))+' cheaper over 24 months after rewards (about '+gbp(Math.abs(d)\/24)+' a month).';}\n }\n function load(i){var p=presets[i];pb.querySelectorAll('button').forEach(function(b,j){b.classList.toggle('on',j===i);});\n  [p.a,p.b].forEach(function(d,k){var s=sides[k];s.querySelector('.cbp-name').value=d.n;\n   ['p','r','m','x','f','w'].forEach(function(key){s.querySelector('[data-k='+key+']').value=d[key]||0;});});calc();}\n presets.forEach(function(p,i){var b=document.createElement('button');b.type='button';b.textContent=p.label;b.onclick=function(){load(i);};pb.appendChild(b);});\n w.querySelectorAll('input,select').forEach(function(e){e.addEventListener('input',function(){pb.querySelectorAll('button').forEach(function(b){b.classList.remove('on');});calc();});});\n load(0);\n});\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.cbp-calls').forEach(function(w){\n var r=w.querySelector('input'),o=w.querySelector('.cbp-out');\n function upd(){var m=+r.value;w.querySelector('.cbp-min').textContent=m;\n  var rows=[['Sky pay as you talk, 15.5p a minute',m*0.155],['Sky Talk Anytime Extra, flat',18],['BT pay as you go, 20p a minute',m*0.20]];\n  var max=Math.max.apply(null,rows.map(function(x){return x[1];}))||1;\n  o.querySelectorAll('.cbp-bar').forEach(function(b,i){b.querySelector('.cbp-bar-v').textContent=gbp(rows[i][1])+' a month';b.querySelector('.cbp-bar-f').style.width=(rows[i][1]\/max*100)+'%';});\n  o.querySelector('.cbp-verdict').textContent=m<116?'At '+m+' minutes, paying by the minute on Sky costs less than the \u00a318 Anytime Extra. The package pays off from about 116 minutes a month.':'At '+m+' minutes a month, Sky\u2019s \u00a318 Anytime Extra costs less than paying 15.5p a minute.';}\n r.addEventListener('input',upd);upd();\n});\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.cbp-quiz').forEach(function(w){\n var ans={};\n w.querySelectorAll('.cbp-q').forEach(function(q){q.querySelectorAll('button').forEach(function(b){b.onclick=function(){q.querySelectorAll('button').forEach(function(x){x.classList.remove('on');});b.classList.add('on');ans[q.getAttribute('data-q')]=b.getAttribute('data-v');show();};});});\n function show(){var out=[],res=w.querySelector('.cbp-result');\n  if(Object.keys(ans).length<4){res.innerHTML='<p>Answer all four questions to see your result.<\/p>';return;}\n  if(ans.conn==='copper')out.push('Your broadband runs over the copper phone line, so line rental is likely built into the price whatever you do. You can still skip a calls package you won\u2019t use.');\n  if(ans.conn==='unsure')out.push('Start with Ofcom\u2019s broadband checker or Openreach\u2019s full-fibre checker to see which connection reaches your address.');\n  if(ans.alarm==='yes')out.push('Keep a home phone for now, and tell your provider before the digital switch so it can check the alarm keeps working.');\n  if(ans.signal==='no')out.push('Keep a landline, and ask your provider for the free battery back-up it must offer (at least one hour; some last up to seven).');\n  if(ans.number==='yes')out.push('Move your number to a digital landline rather than cancelling the line. Dropping the landline can lose the number for good.');\n  var keep=ans.alarm==='yes'||ans.signal==='no'||ans.number==='yes';\n  var head=keep?'Keep a home phone, on a digital line':(ans.conn==='fibre'?'You can probably drop the landline':'You can drop the calls, but check your connection');\n  if(!keep&&ans.conn==='fibre')out.push('Full fibre, cable and 4G or 5G home broadband need no phone line. Look for a broadband-only plan, such as Plusnet\u2019s or Vodafone\u2019s option without a landline.');\n  res.innerHTML='<div class=\"cbp-verdict\">'+head+'<\/div><ul>'+out.map(function(x){return '<li>'+x+'<\/li>';}).join('')+'<\/ul>';}\n show();\n});\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.cbp-countdown').forEach(function(w){\n var d=Math.ceil((new Date('2027-01-31T00:00:00Z')-new Date())\/864e5);\n w.querySelector('b').textContent=d>0?d:'0';\n if(d<=0)w.querySelector('.cbp-cd-t').textContent='BT\u2019s target date of 31 January 2027 has passed. If you still have an old copper line, ask your provider when it moves.';\n});\n}\nif(document.readyState==='loading')document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',run);else run();\n})();\n<\/script>\n<style>\r\n.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{\r\n            \r\n            margin-top: 40px;\nmargin-bottom: 30px;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-title{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }.lwrp .lwrp-description{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-container{\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-double{\r\n            width: 48%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{\r\n            width: 32%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n            justify-content: space-between;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{\r\n            width: calc(33% - 20px);\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item img{\r\n            max-width: 100%;\r\n            height: auto;\r\n            object-fit: cover;\r\n            aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{\r\n            background: initial !important;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\r\n            .lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-title{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }.lwrp .lwrp-description{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{\r\n                flex-direction: column;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{\r\n                margin-top: 0px;\r\n                margin-bottom: 0px;\r\n                padding-top: 0px;\r\n                padding-bottom: 0px;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-double,\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{\r\n                width: 100%;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{\r\n                justify-content: initial;\r\n                flex-direction: column;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{\r\n                width: 100%;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            };\r\n        }<\/style>\r\n<div id=\"link-whisper-related-posts-widget\" class=\"link-whisper-related-posts lwrp\">\r\n            <h3 class=\"lwrp-title\">Related Posts<\/h3>    \r\n        <div class=\"lwrp-list-container\">\r\n                                            <div class=\"lwrp-list-multi-container\">\r\n                    <ul class=\"lwrp-list lwrp-list-double lwrp-list-left\">\r\n                        <li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/news\/grain-builds-gigabit-broadband-network-300000-uk-premises-grows\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Grain Builds Gigabit Broadband Network to 300,000 UK Premises as Take-up Grows<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/news\/email-users-broadband-isp-bt-suffer-barrage-password-reset-messages\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Email users of broadband ISP BT suffer barrage of password reset messages<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/news\/o2-uk-switches-5g-standalone-mobile-broadband-network-suffolk\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">O2 UK Switches On 5G Standalone Mobile Broadband Network in Suffolk<\/span><\/a><\/li>                    <\/ul>\r\n                    <ul class=\"lwrp-list lwrp-list-double lwrp-list-right\">\r\n                        <li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/news\/deep-dive-bt-crossed-wires-street-cabinet-led-wrong-house-raided-wrong\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Deep dive: BT \u201cCrossed wires\u201d in street cabinet led to wrong house being raided \u2014 What went wrong?<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/news\/shift-bring-uk-full-fibre-operators-improve-health-safety\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">SHiFT Bring Together UK Full Fibre Operators to Improve Health and Safety<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/connectivity\/smart-homes\/broadband-smart-homes\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Broadband For Smart Homes in 2026<\/span><\/a><\/li>                    <\/ul>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most homes of one or two people need 30 to 150Mbps, a family streaming in 4K needs 150 to 300Mbps, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11770,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-with-sidebar","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"misspellings":[],"class_list":["post-11771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-performance"],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11771"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11860,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11771\/revisions\/11860"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11771"},{"taxonomy":"misspellings","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comparebroadbandpackages.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/misspellings?post=11771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}