BT broadband customers can choose between a range of broadband packages, starting with entry-level fibre to the cabinet connections (Fibre 1 and Fibre 2), and extending to faster full fibre plans including Full Fibre 150, 300, 500 and 900. The faster tiers are available in FTTP-enabled areas, and deliver higher average speeds and better consistency at peak times.
BT broadband packages all include the BT Smart Hub 2 router, which is the same model rebranded as Plusnet’s Hub Two. Customers who take BT Full Fibre can also add optional extras including Complete Wi-Fi, a digital voice home phone, and BT TV or TNT Sports bundles.
BT broadband is available nationwide, and uses the Openreach network to deliver fibre to homes. Coverage for full fibre services is expanding rapidly, and BT now offer FTTP packages in over 50% of UK households.
Who is BT Broadband suited for?
BT broadband is a good option for households looking for a reliable broadband connection with options to add premium services like BT TV, TNT Sports, and digital voice. The faster FTTP packages offer enough bandwidth for larger homes with multiple users who want to stream, game, and work from home at the same time.
The entry-level plans are suitable for small households or people who don’t need ultrafast speeds. Families or heavy internet users may prefer Full Fibre 150 or higher, especially where several people are online at the same time.
Plans and speeds
Fibre 1: 50Mbps average download speed
Fibre 1 is BT’s cheapest broadband plan, offering average download speeds of 50Mbps and average upload speeds of 9Mbps. It’s a part-fibre connection based on FTTC technology, and the actual speed customers receive may vary depending on distance from the street cabinet.
Fibre 1 is a good option for individual users, small households, or homes that primarily browse, stream in HD, and use a few connected devices.
Fibre 2: 67Mbps average download speed
Fibre 2 offers faster average download speeds of 67Mbps and upload speeds of 18Mbps. This plan is better suited for homes with two or more users who stream, use video calling, and connect multiple devices.
BT Fibre 2 is the top FTTC package from BT, and offers better performance at busy times, but speed still depends on location and distance from the cabinet.
Full Fibre 150 and 300
BT Full Fibre 150 and 300 are part of the provider’s FTTP packages. Full Fibre 150 offers average speeds of 145Mbps down and 30Mbps up, while Full Fibre 300 raises this to 300Mbps download and 49Mbps upload.
These plans are best suited for families or shared households with multiple users who want to stream in Ultra HD, download large files, or play games online without disruption. Because the connection is full fibre, speeds are more consistent and unaffected by copper line degradation.
Full Fibre 500 and 900
BT’s fastest plans are Full Fibre 500 and Full Fibre 900. Full Fibre 500 offers 500Mbps download and 73Mbps upload, while Full Fibre 900 offers 910Mbps download and 110Mbps upload.
These packages are best for homes that require fast download and upload speeds for tasks like 4K streaming, video conferencing, cloud backups and large file transfers.
They are well suited to larger families or homes where multiple people want to be online at once, and also offer better future-proofing. The upload speeds are among the fastest available on Openreach.
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Check your postcodePart-Fibre and Full Fibre
BT’s broadband service uses two types of network technologies. Their entry-level Fibre 1 and Fibre 2 packages are based on FTTC, which delivers speeds over a part-fibre, part-copper line. These connections are more widely available and offer average download speeds of 50Mbps and 67Mbps respectively.
Customers who live in FTTP areas can choose from faster BT Full Fibre plans, with average download speeds ranging from 150Mbps up to 910Mbps. These are delivered over a full fibre line directly to the premises, and offer a more reliable and consistent broadband experience, especially during evenings and periods of high usage.
Availability of BT full fibre depends on location, and can be checked using the BT postcode checker.
BT Smart Hub 2
All BT broadband packages come with the Smart Hub 2 router. It supports dual-band WiFi using the WiFi 5 protocol and includes four Ethernet ports and a digital voice phone port. The Smart Hub 2 also supports BT’s mesh WiFi system called Complete Wi-Fi.
The router is the same hardware as Plusnet’s Hub Two, and while it lacks WiFi 6, it offers a reliable signal for most homes and is one of the better routers provided as standard by major broadband providers.
BT broadband customers who experience connection issues can test speeds and adjust DNS settings. In most cases, slowdowns are caused by WiFi interference rather than line problems.
The Smart Hub 2 provides a stable connection for most households, but customers with many devices may benefit from a mesh system.
BT Complete Wi-Fi
Customers who take BT’s Complete Wi-Fi add-on receive Wi-Fi Discs, which help extend signal throughout the home. BT promise a minimum speed of 10Mbps in every room, or offer £100 bill credit if this isn’t met.
Complete Wi-Fi is useful for homes with thick walls or poor signal in certain areas, but it is a paid extra on most plans.
BT TV and TNT Sports
BT Fibre customers can add TV and sports bundles to their broadband package. TNT Sports is available as an add-on, and customers can choose from flexible plans.
BT TV includes a recordable TV box and can be bundled with other services like Netflix or NOW TV.
Digital Voice
All new BT broadband customers now receive Digital Voice instead of a traditional landline. The phone connects via the Smart Hub 2 and uses VoIP technology.
Customers can add call packages including anytime or international minutes, or use pay-as-you-go calling if preferred.
Social tariff and support
BT Home Essentials
BT offer a dedicated broadband package for customers receiving certain benefits. Home Essentials is a social tariff with lower prices and is available to customers on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other qualifying benefits.
Customers can switch to Home Essentials without early exit fees, and the package includes a digital voice line and Smart Hub 2 router.
Moving home with BT
BT customers who are moving home can transfer their service to the new address. If the new property is in a full fibre area, they may be able to upgrade at the same time.
BT do not charge a fee for moving broadband service, but some installations may require an engineer visit.
Contracts and renewals
BT often run promotions for new customers, including reduced monthly prices or prepaid reward cards. These deals are typically fixed for the contract length, usually 24 months.
After the minimum term ends, prices increase to the standard out-of-contract price, which can be significantly higher. BT is required to inform customers when their contract is ending.
All BT broadband contracts include a mid-contract price increase. Since 2024, BT apply a £3 monthly increase each April. This is fixed regardless of inflation and affects all plans including full fibre and entry-level packages.
Customers should be aware of this increase when calculating the total cost of their deal, as it applies even during the minimum term.
Customers who reach the end of their contract can renew on a new plan or switch to another provider. It’s often possible to negotiate a better price with BT’s retention team, especially if there are cheaper deals available with other providers.
Customers should check their options in advance, and consider what speed they really need before renewing.
Availability and installation
BT full fibre is now available to more than 11 million UK homes. Where FTTP is not available, customers will only be able to take Fibre 1 or Fibre 2.
FTTP installations take longer than FTTC and usually require a home visit to install the optical network terminal. Customers who are upgrading from an FTTC connection may experience a brief interruption while the switch is completed.
Comparisons
BT vs Virgin Media
BT’s Full Fibre 300 and 500 plans are often compared to Virgin Media’s M250 and M350. BT’s upload speeds are higher than Virgin’s, but Virgin’s download speeds are slightly faster in real-world tests.
BT offers a more stable connection due to their use of full fibre rather than coaxial cable, which can be more affected by signal issues.
BT vs Sky, Vodafone, Plusnet
BT’s plans are generally priced higher than similar speed packages from Sky and Vodafone, but customers may prefer BT’s Smart Hub 2 or the option to bundle TV and digital voice.
Compared to Plusnet, BT offers more extras including Complete Wi-Fi and TV bundles, while Plusnet focus on budget pricing and reliability.
Alternatives where FTTP isn’t available
In areas where full fibre isn’t yet live, customers can choose between BT Fibre 1, Fibre 2, or consider switching to another FTTC provider like NOW Broadband or TalkTalk, depending on price and support levels.
FAQs
Do I need a phone line for BT Full Fibre?
No, BT Full Fibre plans do not require a landline. Calls are made over Digital Voice using the Smart Hub 2.
What upload speed do I get on BT Full Fibre 500?
Full Fibre 500 offers average upload speeds of 73Mbps, which is higher than upload speeds from most FTTP providers except those offering symmetrical connections.
Does the Smart Hub 2 support bridge mode?
The Smart Hub 2 does not support full bridge mode. Customers who want to use their own router can place the Smart Hub 2 into DMZ mode or request a modem-only device from BT.
How do BT price rises work on broadband?
BT increase prices for all broadband customers by £3 per month every April. This policy applies during and after the minimum contract term.