What is super-fast broadband?

Super-fast broadband refers to broadband connections of 20Mb or above. Super-fast broadband connections enable users to surf the internet and download music and video and stream television at speeds out of reach of most internet users.

While the current average UK broadband connection is around 3.6Mb, super-fast broadband products deliver speeds of up to 50Mb, usually through sophisticated fibre optic broadband networks.

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How does super-fast broadband work?

Unlike the majority of UK broadband connections, which use telephone lines, the UK's fastest broadband product - that is the 50Mb offering from Virgin Media - is delivered by a cable, or fibre optic, broadband network. These cables are made up of glass and plastic, which allows data to move much faster along them than the copper pipes used by ADSL broadband.

However, super-fast broadband is not exclusively on offer to people in a fibre optic broadband area. If you live within a certain range of your broadband provider’s exchange you can still get super-fast broadband by signing up for selected broadband packages from the likes of O2, Be, TalkTalk and Plusnet.

Super-fast broadband providers

Which super-fast broadband product is the fastest?

The UK’s fastest broadband product is Virgin Media’s 50Mb brilliant XXL package. Virgin Media, which also offers 20Mb broadband products, is able to deliver such fast connections thanks to its fibre optic broadband network.

Alternatively, broadband products offering a 20Mb connection are available from a host of providers. The arrival of these speeds has been facilitated by an upgrade of BT's network with so-called ADSL2+ technology.

How do I get super-fast broadband?

Your first step is to see if super-fast broadband services are available in your area.

Insert your postcode into our postcode checker to see if you can access this speedy connection

Advantages of super-fast broadband

Super fast broadband lets you make the most of all the entertainment on offer on the internet. You’ll be able to download movies in a matter of minutes - allowing you watch what you want when you want and banishing the days of hours spent waiting for a film download to finish.

Fans of on-demand TV can enjoy their favourite shows on the BBC iPlayer as well as rival services from ITV and Channel 4 smoothly and without interruption.

Reduced ping means and improved response times delivered by super-fast broadband means that online gamers gain a competitive advantage over the opposition and can enjoy a better gaming experience.

Who is super-fast broadband for?

The massive growth in the number of people downloading music, video and watching TV online means that there is no longer a typical user of super-fast broadband. However, if you are a heavy downloader or are one of the increasing number of consumers who prefer to catch up with TV programmes online, it makes sense to sign up for a super-fast broadband deal.

Super-fast broadband is also ideal for fans of online gaming. This is because a faster connection eliminates the delays to in-game responsiveness – known as ping – that are often caused by slower ADSL broadband products. These can seriously ruin your gaming experience.

If you only use the internet for checking your e-mail and for the occasional search, it’s probably more prudent to opt for a standard ADSL deal.

Don't need super-fast broadband? Compare ADSL broadband deals on our dedicated page