Superfast vs Ultrafast

The big difference between Superfast and Ultrafast is the speeds that you’ll receive from each of the packages - Superfast broadband can offer speeds anywhere up to 100Mbps, whereas a true Ultrafast package will provide your home with speeds up to 900Mbps, which is a staggering upgrade in terms of performance.

The minimum speed offered by Superfast broadband packages is around 30Mbps, which is adequate for most UK households to be able to use the internet without encountering any issues at all.

Do I need Ultrafast Broadband?

The answer to this question is entirely dependent upon how you intend to use your broadband and the number of users in your home; the more users and higher demand functions you use, the better your broadband will need to be. For most, a Superfast package is likely to offer more than enough for you to be able to browse, stream, listen, and watch as much as you’d like, even with multiple devices doing so at once. You will only run into issues with the speeds offered by a Superfast package once multiple users are starting to run high demand programs simultaneously, such as gamers who stream via Twitch as they play, for example. An Ultrafast package will easily be able to handle this increased demand, with blistering speeds up to 900Mbps being offered consistently throughout your home.

With the increase in demand and speed, you can often see a differentiation in price between Superfast and Ultrafast broadband, so you’ll also need to consider the financial side of these packages to ensure that the option you choose is aligned with the amount you can feasibly afford.

Can I get Ultrafast broadband?

Currently, the biggest downfall for Ultrafast broadband is its availability through the Openreach roll-out, which currently stands at around 10% of the UK population, as opposed to the 94% coverage offered by Superfast packages. Before you commit to a package, you’ll have to check what the best options are for your area - you can do this using a coverage checker. You can find the Zen Coverage Checker on our home page.

If you find that you aren’t yet eligible for an Ultrafast broadband service, don’t worry - Superfast broadband offers speeds from 30Mbps-66Mbps, which is more than enough for the average UK household. Zen’s packages are also bound by a lifetime price guarantee, which saves you from being left stunned by sharp spikes in prices mid-contract. You’ll also receive a speed guarantee which allows you to end your contract with no hassle should you find that your package is consistently underperforming against the expected speeds for the package that you’re signed up to.