Broadband zip code checker
After entering your zip code into our broadband coverage checker, we'll show you the best broadband plans, providers and speeds available in your area.
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What is the fastest broadband in my area?
A fiber optic line gives you the fastest speeds available, allows for faster downloads and uploads, a smoother streaming experience, and is ideal for impatient gamers.
most providers inopen networkAnd offers average speeds of around 65 Mbps, which is more than enough for most households. However, it is getting faster and faster becauseOpenreach will continue to roll outfaster technology.
UK suppliers coverage
Many providers, including big names like TalkTalk, BT, Sky, EE and Vodafone, offer speeds of up to 900 Mbit/s. Virgin Media goes one step further and offers speeds in excess of 1 Gbps in some areas.
| broadband provider | Standard | Super fast | Super fast | network | extreme speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British telecom | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 900 Mbit/s |
| Electronic Engineering | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 900 Mbit/s |
| Gigabit ready | - | - | Full phases | own network | 900 Mbit/s |
| Supervision | - | - | Full phases | own network | 900 Mbit/s |
| broadband now | DSL | FTTC extension | - | open area | 63 Mbit/s |
| single stream | - | FTTC extension | - | open area | 67 Mbit/s |
| Screening | DSL | FTTC extension | - | open area | 66 Mbit/s |
| Shell Energy Breitband | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 920 Mbit/s |
| Heaven | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 900 Mbit/s |
| Shanghai Stock Exchange | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 900 Mbit/s |
| talk about it | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 900 Mbit/s |
| virgin media | - | Cable | Cable | own network | 1,1 Gbit/s |
| Vodafone | DSL | FTTC extension | Full phases | open area | 910 Mbit/s |
| Excellent fiber | - | - | Full phases | own network | 10 Gbit/s |
visit ourBroadband Speed TestLearn about average speeds by broadband provider and type, check your current broadband speed and find out the fastest broadband speeds in your area.
relatively fast broadband
What is the cheapest broadband in my area?
Standard broadband connections tend to be cheaper than fiber optic plans, but are therefore slower and may be subject to usage restrictions and traffic management policies. However, the provider no longer offers standard ADSL broadband in areas where fiber optic connections are available (almost everywhere). So the cheapest broadband you can get right now is probably 35Mbps fiber service.
35 Mbps is good for general browsing and Netflix streaming in a small home. They start at around £20 a month for 35Mbps fiber connections and are also very affordable, just a little more than standard broadband connections.
| broadband provider | Average speed | price of |
|---|---|---|
| broadband now | 11 MB | £20 per month |
| Single stream broadband | 45 MB | £21.95 per month |
| Shell Energy Breitband | 11 MB | £17.99 per month |
| Vodafone broadband | 38 MB | £24 per month |
| Internet broadband | 36 MB | £24.99 per month |
cheaper broadband
What kind of broadband can I get?
One of the first things you'll probably notice immediately when buying a new broadband contract - especially if you haven't switched in years - is that at first glance there seem to be a dozen or more types of broadband. Actually there are only four, but that's complicated by the fact that not only do the actual technologies they provide have multiple names, but the vendors also have their own naming conventions, making it difficult to know exactly what you're getting.
Let's take a look at these four technologies and explain their different names (which mean the same thing) as well as the different brands and buzzwords that the vendors have given them.
ADSL or standard broadband
This is the slowest technology available and is slowly being phased out as of this writing. It offers speeds of up to 17 Mbit/s (typically quoted as 10-12 Mbit/s on average) over the old copper wire telephone network. It is not part of fiber broadband and is often referred to as "ADSL" or "standard broadband". Providers have their own package/branding language to describe it, and packages are often referred to as "basic", "simple", "brilliant", "unlimited" and ironically "fast" broadband.
The simplest and easiest way to identify an ADSL package is by speed. Anything between 10 Mbit/s and 17 Mbit/s is ADSL, regardless of what the provider calls it.
Fiber broadband or SuperSpeed broadband
This is where things get a bit difficult to define. Between the advent of ADSL (above) and so-called "full fiber" (below), we had what we simply called "fiber broadband" in the last decade. But that's a bit misleading, because only part of the network is made up of fiber optics (extremely fast cables that use light to transmit data) -- the part between the green closets on the street and the main backbone of the network. The span between the closet and your house is still copper, severely limiting your potential top speed.
Fiber broadband packages run at speeds of around 30 Mbps to 75 Mbps, and most providers offer packages somewhere near each end. Providers tend to label packages using this technology as "Ultrafast", "Super Fiber", "Unlimited Fiber", Fiber 1 or 2, or Fiber followed by coarse speed (like Fiber 65).
As with ADSL, the easiest way to identify a packet with this technology (also known as FTTC or Fiber to the Cabinet) is speed. Any packet between 30Mbps and 75Mbps will almost certainly be.
All-fiber, all-fiber, ultra-fast, or FTTP broadband
This is one of the fastest technologies available, with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps all the way up to 900 Mbps or more. Among these different types of broadband deployment, it is also the most commonly mentioned. Full fiber, ultra-fast, gigabit broadband, pure fiber, FTTP (Fiber to the Home) and FTTH (Fiber to the Home) all mean the same thing: the cabling from your home to the internet is fiber optic throughout, allowing for very high transfer speeds.
The biggest hurdle for people wanting full fiber now is availability as we are still in the early stages of rollout and only around one in five UK homes can connect to it. Virgin Media is just as fast (actually a little faster) and has a much larger share of fiber available. So it's also a good option if you can't get full fiber capacity from any other provider. However, as we shall see next, Virgin Media's technology is not exclusively fiber optic.
cable broadband
Virgin Media operates its own network using cables originally designed to carry hundreds of cable TV channels. These cables are light years ahead of the copper cables that carried ADSL over the legacy BT phone network and as a result Virgin Media speeds have improved dramatically every year.
You have a three in five chance of getting Virgin Media, as opposed to full fiber from BT, Sky, TalkTalk etc. Its top speed Gig1 package delivers a whopping 1,140Mbps - faster than anyone really needs. But if you can afford it, why not?
Not sure what speed you need? Check out oursBroadband Speed Advisorto find out what speed is best for your family.
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broadband provider
There are over 150 broadband providers to choose from in the UK, however the vast majority operate on a small scale or serve specific purposes such as providing connectivity to business parks. Of those 150, only a handful are widely available, so generally those are the ones you should focus on. Here is a breakdown of the most popular providers.
- BT broadband– As you might expect, BT broadband is available almost everywhere. It no longer offers new customers ADSL connections, only fiber optic services. BT offers super-fast speeds of up to 900Mbps in areas where Openreach infrastructure is in place
- Direct Storage Telecom- Low-cost broadband provider Direct Save Telecom offers conventional and fiber broadband over Openreach's network and should therefore be the first choice for most properties. The company's fastest plan offers download speeds of 1,000 Mbps in limited areas via its fiber-to-the-home service, but its 63 Mbps fiber service is available everywhere
- EE broadband– EE Broadband is also widely available as BT's sister company and also offers low-cost ADSL broadband. Its super-fast packages (Fiber to the Property) are very similar to BT's and should work equally well for any FTTP-enabled property
- Gigabit ready– A specialist provider that is building its own fiber optic network that currently serves more than 400 communities – often in rural areas that other providers simply cannot reach
- Supervision– Hyperoptic is a premium provider that has built its own FTTP fiber optic network that offers super-fast speeds of up to 1000Mbps. However, the range is limited and only available in over 60 cities
- broadband now– Broadband is NOW very cheap and widely available (it uses the Openreach network) but not very fast as no super fast (FTTP) plans are currently offered
- Screening– As a BT Group provider, Plusnet Broadband will be an option almost everywhere. It offers regular fiber connections of up to 72 Mbit/s and full fiber speeds of up to 500 Mbit/s in selected areas
- Shell Energy Breitband– Shell Energy (formerly First Utility) offers affordable broadband at a variety of speeds. It offers standard broadband, fiber optic broadband and ultra-fast (FTTP) broadband
- Sky-Breitband– Thanks to the use of the Openreach network, Sky is very widespread. It offers both regular fiber and FTTP with speeds up to 900 Mbit/s.
- talk about it- TalkTalk runs on Openreach and offers regular fiber up to 67Mbps and full fiber FTTP plans up to 900Mbps in select areas
- Virgin Media Broadband– Virgin Media offered full fiber long before the term was coined and can rightly claim to be the UK's fastest widely available provider. With recent improvements in the network and the technology behind it, UK homes can now choose speeds in excess of 1,100Mbps
- Vodafone broadband– Vodafone may be best known for mobile networks, but they also offer the slowest ADSL service to most properties in the UK and full fiber with speeds of up to 910Mbps and up to 55Mbps on regular fiber connections
Broadband Speed Test
Whilst our broadband availability checker is a good place to start and can give you a rough estimate of the download speeds available in your zip code,Our speed testget a more accurate line speed estimate.
The broadband speed available to you is affected by network usage during peak periods throughout the day. The speed will naturally drop as more people are connected.
What affects broadband speeds where I live?
There are many factors that affect broadband speed performance. Especially with standard broadband, the distance between your home and the nearest switch can be an issue as those old copper wires can't go very far these days; the farther a broadband signal is transmitted, the slower it becomes.
With regular fiber broadband, this is not a major problem as it is just the last copper line from the local closet to the home. With full fiber ultra-fast connections (FTTP) this is not a problem at all, since no copper wire is used at all.
Traffic management strategies can also negatively impact speed performance. Usually geared towards weekends and evening peak periods, it's worth considering choosing a truly unlimited package to avoid such limitations.
There are hurdles to overcome, both inside and outside of your own four walls. WiFi routers are not as efficient as wired routers and are more prone to interference that can affect your broadband speeds. Other household electronics such as microwave ovens can also interfere with your router. Therefore, it is advisable to place it in a secluded place, for example, in the hallway.
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FAQs
Best broadband in my area | Broadband zip code checker? ›
You can find your internet providers by searching InMyArea.com. Enter your ZIP code, address, or share your device's location to find wired connections from fiber-optic, DSL, and cable providers.
How do I check if my broadband is available in my area? ›You can find your internet providers by searching InMyArea.com. Enter your ZIP code, address, or share your device's location to find wired connections from fiber-optic, DSL, and cable providers.
How do I know which WIFI is best in my area? ›You can also use BroadbandNow's map. It's based on the FCC data and supplemented with additional information from other public resources and ISP-supplied data. Use the National Broadband Map or BroadbandNow's map to drill down to your address. Make note of which providers service your location.
Do I have broadband internet? ›Run a quick speed test on your computer, and measure the results here: A speed of 56 kbit/s or less means you have dial-up internet. Speeds of up to 100 Mbps are typically DSL, cable or fixed wireless. A speed result of 200-1,000 Mbps means you have either cable or fiber-optic internet service.
How is broadband connected to my house? ›Technically, a broadband connection is what plugs into your home router. And then the connection from your router to all of your devices is usually a wireless one via Wi-Fi.
Is 40 Mbps a good Speed? ›For a single user with 1-2 devices, 40 Mbps WiFi is more than good enough. However, if multiple users in a family or office require a lot of bandwidth daily, a 100 Mbps internet speed will be more suitable to ensure that everyone can work without interruptions.
How accurate is WiFi for better location? ›Wi-Fi can provide about 20m accuracy using existing crowdsourced Wi-Fi infrastructure with no calibration. However, through calibration, surveying, and fine-tuning, Wi-Fi positioning can achieve 5-8 meter accuracy in indoor environments.
Which WiFi network should I use? ›Ideally, you should use the 2.4GHz band to connect devices for low bandwidth activities like browsing the Internet. On the other hand, 5GHz is the best suited for high-bandwidth devices or activities like gaming and streaming HDTV.
Does where you live affect your internet? ›Multiple factors affect the speed and quality of your internet connection. Transfer technology, your location, the number of people you share the connection with and the device you use are only some of these factors. There are also differences between a fixed network and a mobile network.
Does where you live affect your WIFI? ›There are a number of factors which can affect the speed of your broadband connection. The distance your home is from the telephone exchange, the time of day you go online and the number of people in your home using the internet at the same time, can all play a part in slowing down your connection.
Which city has fastest internet? ›
Cities with highest internet speed in India 2021
In 2021, the south Indian city Chennai with average internet speed of 51.07 Mbps ranked the first among cities in India.
The primary difference between broadband and Wi-Fi is that Wi-Fi uses wireless technology to provide access to the internet. It locates radio signals and establishes a connection with nearby devices. Broadband internet is a wired or wireless computer network.
Is broadband the same as WiFi? ›What's the difference between broadband and Wi-Fi? Broadband is a type of internet connection given by your internet service provider. Wi-Fi is a technology and one of the means of connecting to the broadband to access the internet.
What is the difference between internet and broadband internet? ›The internet is a huge network of websites and information that spans the entire world. Broadband allows you to access all of this information from your own home via a router. An ethernet cable can be used to connect your computer to your router, giving you fast internet access.
Does broadband come through phone line? ›With most broadband providers, you need a physical phone line hooked up to your home in order to get broadband. That's because your internet is connected through the same cables.
What is the difference between broadband and fiber to the home? ›The broadband connection is fast speed internet, but the speed is slower when it is compared to a fibre connection. The fibre broadband connection is very fast speed internet as it uses optical fibre for transmission of data. The fibre broadband is faster than broadband connection.
What is the difference between landline and broadband? ›In the context of internet access, a broadband connection is a high-speed internet connection that is faster than the traditional dial-up access over PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
What internet speed is needed for smart TV? ›Internet browsing and downloads
To browse the web on your smart TV, you'll need a minimum of 2Mbps and 5Mbps or more for quicker loading times. To download music this speed will need to increase to speeds of 10Mbps or higher so that you won't be waiting an excessive amount of time for albums to download and playback.
Here's the ideal broadband speed required to stream your favourite OTT content based on video quality: SD (480p): 3+ Mbps. HD (720–1080p): 5–13+ Mbps. 4K (UHD, 2160p): 16–25 Mbps.
Is 100 Mbps fast enough for Netflix? ›Even with multiple users on the network streaming videos or shows to their devices, 100 Mbps should be more than enough to avoid any buffering issues. Take Netflix for example: To watch a video in High Definition, you need at least 5 Mbps. To view a video in 4K/Ultra HD, you need 15 Mbps.
What internet speed is considered slow? ›
Less than 15 megabits a second is pretty slow. Speeds of about 25 megabits a second are sufficient for streaming high-definition video; more than 40 megabits a second is ideal for streaming lots of video and playing video games.
What internet speed do I need for Amazon work from home? ›To use webcams with WSP, we recommend a minimum upload bandwidth of 1.7 megabits per second. If users will access their WorkSpaces through a virtual private network (VPN), the connection must support a maximum transmission unit (MTU) of at least 1200 bytes.
What is a bad internet speed Mbps? ›What is considered slow internet? Download speeds less than 25 Mbps are too slow to be considered broadband or good home Wi-Fi. With these speeds, users may experience buffering when streaming video, difficulty connecting multiple devices and other internet connectivity issues.
How far does WiFi reach from your house? ›A typical WiFi router generally has a range of 150-160 feet indoors. It's important to note that this range is limited by things like frequency, transmission power, antenna type, the location the router is in, and the environment.
Does WiFi travel better upstairs or downstairs? ›Placing the router in an upstairs room is usually preferable to having it downstairs or in a basement. A Wi-Fi broadcasts starting from an elevated position will travel further.
Does WiFi get slower with distance? ›Because Wi-Fi is just that—wireless—its connection speed is affected by distance, obstacles (such as walls, floors, and ceilings), electronic interference, and the number of users on the network. All these things contribute to the slow-down of Wi-Fi connection speed.
What is the strongest WIFI network? ›- -30 dBm: This is the maximum signal strength. ...
- -50 dBm: This is considered an excellent signal strength.
- -60 dBm: This is a good signal strength.
- -67 dBm: This is a reliable signal strength. ...
- -70 dBm: This is not a strong signal strength. ...
- -80 dBm: This is an unreliable signal strength.
Availability, speed, and price are the three main factors to consider when choosing your ISP. Speed gives you the necessary support for all your online activities, and the price has to be affordable for what you get. The providers available in your area also play a big role in determining the quality of your Wi-Fi.
What are the 3 types of WiFi? ›Types of Wireless Network Connections
In addition to a LAN, there are a few other types of common wireless networks: personal-area network (PAN), metropolitan-area network (MAN), and wide-area network (WAN).
- Make sure your router is in the best place. ...
- Opt for wires, not Wi-Fi. ...
- Keep your router away from other devices. ...
- Try a wireless booster. ...
- Turn off Wi-Fi on devices you're not using. ...
- Working from home? ...
- Use your home electrics to extend your router's range. ...
- Give your computer a spring clean.
What is the cause of poor internet connection? ›
Spyware and viruses can definitely cause problems, but your Internet connection speed can also be affected by add-on programs, the amount of memory the computer has, hard disk space and condition, and the programs that are running. Two of the most frequent causes of poor Internet performance are spyware and viruses.
Where should you not put a router? ›- Avoid the kitchen. ...
- Place your router centrally. ...
- Adjust the antennae. ...
- Avoid walls. ...
- Place it out in the open. ...
- Avoid electronic items. ...
- Don't place it on the floor. ...
- Mirrors and fish tanks.
If you're getting slow or delayed WiFi in your home, it could be because your neighbors are using the same channel as you. While you're not on the same network, those other devices can still interfere with yours.
Is it OK to put router behind TV? ›You'll also want to be careful not to stick your router behind a large TV, which can cause electronic interference while also physically blocking or disrupting the signal.
What cities have the slowest internet speeds? ›| Rank | City and state | Fastest average download speed* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McCloud, CA | 4 Mbps |
| 2 | Ibapah, UT | 7 Mbps |
| 3 | Iowa Park, TX | 10 Mbps |
| 4 | Capac, MI | 10 Mbps |
Google Fiber is the fastest internet provider, followed by Verizon and Xfinity. Let's get right to the point: Google Fiber is the fastest internet provider in the United States.
Who has the highest internet speed in USA? ›Xfinity: Xfinity from Comcast is the winner for the fastest internet service. In some areas, you can find speeds as fast as 2,000 Mbps, or 2 Gbps. That's twice as fast as the 1 Gbps you'll find in many metropolitan areas.
Which is better for home WiFi or broadband? ›Broadband connections are far more secure and consistent than Wi-Fi connections. 4. Plus, you can always connect it to a Wi-Fi router to enjoy high-speed wireless internet connectivity on your mobile and computer devices at the same time.
Is broadband or wireless better? ›Mobile broadband offers better portability. With a separate battery-operated router, mobile broadband is the most suitable service for using the internet on the move. It uses the same cellular networks as your phone, allowing you to get more coverage on the go compared to fixed wireless internet connections.
Is it better to have internet or WiFi? ›Ethernet gives you better speed, lower latency, and a more reliable connection. Wi-Fi is more convenient for mobile devices, but is prone to interference.
Do I need broadband if I have WiFi? ›
Can you have wifi without broadband? You can create a wifi network and connect multiple devices together without broadband. But, you will be unable to connect any of them to the internet.
Can you have WiFi without broadband? ›Here's a brief recap below of how you can get connected to the internet without an internet service provider: Connect to public unsecured Wi-Fi using a VPN for security. Use a new or existing mobile hotspot feature from one of your mobile devices. Buy a portable internet device.
Does broadband require a modem? ›You need a modem to send and receive data from two different networking roads: your internet provider's connection and your home network's connection. Here's the deal: internet data is already formatted for home network use on your ISP's end, but there are no Ethernet cables between you and your internet provider.
Does broadband mean internet? ›The term broadband refers to high-speed internet access. Broadband is different from dial-up internet service for several reasons, including the following: Broadband service provides a higher-speed of data transmission.
How do I check my broadband feasibility? ›- Broadband Audit. Broadband Performance Data (Internet Speed Testing) Customer Satisfaction (Online Surveys) Demographic and Spatial Analysis. Existing Competitive Landscape Assessment (Local ISP availability)
- Stakeholder Interviews.
- Pricing and Financial Analyses.
- Network Recommendations.
- Connect to public unsecured Wi-Fi using a VPN for security.
- Use a new or existing mobile hotspot feature from one of your mobile devices.
- Buy a portable internet device.
You can use the broadband speed check service to check availability and find out the maximum download and upload speeds availability for a specific property by entering the address. Alternatively, you can run a speed test to check the performance of your current connection.
How do I check my home Internet strength? ›Administer a Speed Test on Your Computer
The internet offers several websites that provide free Wi-Fi speed tests. We recommend Speedtest.net, Fast.com, or CloudFlare. Each test should take 60 seconds or less, providing download and upload speeds. Conduct a few Wi-Fi tests for optimal results.
In Windows, go to Network and Internet, and then Network and Sharing Center. Select the blue WiFi link to see the signal strength. On an Android phone or tablet. Look under Settings, WiFi, or Network, and search for a gear or WiFi icon next to the network you're connected to.
How can I get internet in rural areas? ›- Fiber Optic. Fiber optic Internet is the fastest Internet connection you can have. ...
- DSL. DSL Internet, or digital subscriber line, uses existing phone lines to give rural areas Internet access. ...
- Satellite Internet. ...
- Starlink. ...
- Fixed Wireless Internet.
How do I get internet while waiting for installation? ›
Fortunately, there are numerous options available to keep you connected in the short term. If you have decent 4G or 5G signal, then you can use your smartphone's hotspot. Also known as tethering, this takes your mobile data and creates a mini-WiFi hub which you can connect other devices to.