What is Ultrafast broadband? The complete beginner's guide

When your existing ADSL or superfast fibre connection proves incapable of providing that service and meeting your browsing needs, you’ll want to look at investing in an ultrafast fibre connection. Before you do that, however, you’ll need to learn more about how ultrafast broadband actually works and whether it’s the right package for you.

Since choosing the perfect broadband deal can quickly seem incredibly daunting, Zen Internet is here to answer your biggest questions and tell you everything you need to know about ultrafast broadband.

Why do you need fast internet speeds?

Let’s start with the basics. When browsing for your next broadband deal, your eye will inevitably be drawn towards the varying price tags, since you’ll undoubtedly want to get yourself a great deal and make sure you aren’t severely overpaying. However, as with most things in life, you’ll also be getting exactly what you pay for.

Different internet packages provide different broadband speeds, and a lower price tag will typically result in slower speeds, meaning that you might end up with a connection incapable of meeting your internet requirements. By investing in a faster connection, you’ll ultimately be able to do more online, although the required speeds will be completely dependent on how you plan to use the internet.

The benefits of fibre broadband

Fibre-optic broadband is the latest advancement in broadband technology, providing a more reliable internet connection which is more in touch with the demands of the modern user.

Through the use of fibre cables, these connections ensure that internet signals aren’t weakened over distance; a common problem experienced with the copper wires involved in standard ADSL connections. In short, fibre broadband provides users with a more consistent browsing experience, with the various packages offering download speeds of anywhere between 35-300 Mbps.

What is Ultrafast fibre FTTP broadband?

Ultrafast fibre broadband is the fastest form of internet currently commercially available, providing a major upgrade on the more common superfast connections. Often referred to as FTTP or FTTH broadband, an ultrafast package can achieve such incredible speeds due to the way it’s linked up to your home.

FTTP stands for “Fibre to the Premises” (FTTH is “Fibre to the Home”) and refers to the fibre cables used to connect your home directly to the telephone exchange. By completely eradicating the use of any copper wires, ultrafast FTTP broadband delivers a seamless connection regardless of your distance from the exchange or local street cabinet.

PLEASE NOTE: hyperfast broadband is technically the fastest type of internet connection in the world, but this isn’t currently available for residential properties.

The difference between ADSL, Superfast and Ultrafast broadband

When searching for a new broadband package, there are three main types of connection for you to consider: ADSL, superfast FTTC and ultrafast FTTP. The price and performance of these connections will obviously vary between different packages, but you’ll certainly need to look into which one best suits your requirements:

ADSL- a standard internet connection which offers average download speeds of 10 Mbps. Uses copper wires to connect your home to the local telephone exchange. Since internet signals gradually deteriorate when transmitted through copper, the performance of your broadband will depend on your home’s distance from the exchange. Fast ADSL packages are available from £28.00 per month.

Superfast FTTC- the most common form of fibre-optic broadband. Fibre cables are used to connect the telephone exchange to your nearest street cabinet, with copper wires then used to connect the cabinet to your home. Although this means broadband speeds could depend on your distance to the cabinet, the use of fibre cables significantly reduces this impact. You can get a superfast fibre package for just £29.99 a month, which offers average download speeds of 35 Mbps.

Ultrafast FTTP- the fastest form of home broadband, fibre cables are used to connect your home directly to the telephone exchange. Providing average download speeds of 300 Mbps, FTTP connections are typically much faster and more reliable than FTTC packages. Our ultrafast broadband packages start at just £52.00 per month. 

How fast is FTTP broadband?

Ultrafast FTTP broadband offers the fastest internet connection currently available in UK homes. The term “ultrafast” typically refers to a connection which provides a download speed of more than 100 Mbps, but the more expensive packages are capable of speeds well over the 300 Mbps mark.

Zen Internet offers two separate ultrafast fibre broadband packages. The Unlimited Fibre 3 package starts at just £52.00 per month and offers an average download speed of 145 Mbps. In comparison, the Unlimited Fibre 4 package is priced at £59.99, providing an eye-watering average speed of 300 Mbps.

Do you need Ultrafast broadband?

The average household probably doesn’t need an ultrafast connection and could likely make do with superfast broadband instead. However, wanting ultrafast broadband is a different matter altogether, since there’s always a certain satisfaction to be found in knowing you’ve got the best internet around.

Of course, most homeowners just want an internet connection capable of handling their specific browsing habits, in which case you’ll need to think about how many devices are likely to be connected to the internet at the same time. From there, you’ll be able to figure out how much bandwidth you need and whether ultrafast broadband is the best option for you.

Ultrafast broadband packages are ideal for large families who have several people streaming video, downloading files and browsing simultaneously, since faster speeds will ensure everyone can enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted service. Users who download lots of large files, regularly broadcast live streams or watch 4K films online should also consider an ultrafast connection.

These rapid download and upload speeds mean you can continue to do more of what you love online, making it easier than ever to stream HD films, play online video games and browse social media across multiple devices at once. For heavy internet users and busy households, ultrafast broadband offers a smoother and more enjoyable browsing experience.

Where is Ultrafast fibre broadband available?

Ultrafast FTTP broadband connections are currently only available to 3% of UK homes, with the majority of these properties based in more built-up locations. However, there is a target to make FTTP available to 3 million homes by 2020, and 10 million homes by 2025. You can check ultrafast availability in your area by entering your post code or landline number. 

What is G.Fast broadband and how does it work?

G.Fast is a new type of ultra-fast broadband which offers an alternative to typical FTTP connections. Although ultrafast FTTP broadband is only available to a handful of UK homes, G.Fast makes these rapid speeds available to millions of other homes across the country, by changing the way internet signals are transmitted.

Working through a superfast FTTC connection, G.Fast improves the connectivity of the copper wire used to connect the street cabinet to your home. In essence, this allows the standard copper wires to perform like a fibre cable, delivering a connection which is every bit as smooth and reliable as fibre-to-the-premises.

An FTTP installation will typically involve digging up roads to install new cables, but G.Fast is much quicker and easier to set up; working through a special pod which is attached to the street cabinet. G.Fast is expected to be available to more than 6 million homes by 2020, and you can check availability in your area to see if it’s a viable option for you.

How to get Ultrafast broadband

Zen Internet provides a selection of ultrafast fibre broadband packages, but you’ll need to check whether this connectivity is available in your area. Fortunately, ultrafast coverage is continuing to improve, so you can always keep checking back for updates; those living in busy towns and cities are particularly likely to enjoy FTTP coverage soon, if it isn’t already available.

Whether you’re switching internet providers or moving to a brand-new home, we make the process of installing ultrafast internet as simple as possible. Although this is still a little more complicated than a standard installation, our friendly team are here to take the hassle out of upgrading your connection.

Browse our selection of superfast and ultrafast broadband packages today, or contact one of our experts to learn more about which type of connection is best for you.