Looking for a new broadband deal but don’t know which provider to choose? Read our guide on BT broadband to help find the right provider and package that suits you.
BT is the world's oldest communications company, tracing all the way back to ‘The Electric Telegraph Company’, incorporated in 1846. It was the first company to develop a nationwide communications network.
Before 1984 when it was privatised, BT was the public body in charge of the UK’s telecoms network. Now angled towards the premium end of the market, BT offers high internet speeds over fibre connections, sports TV and streaming, as well as landline and mobile broadband packages.
Alongside their broadband, BT also offers great TV packages, particularly with sports coverage if that’s your thing.
BT offers a similar range of TV and streaming options to competitors Sky and Virgin Media. You can choose from two tiers of entertainment and sports packages, as well as a ‘Full Works’ option that combines the two.
You can bundle your broadband with Netflix and NOW’s entertainment and cinema packages. For sports fans, TNT Sports (formerly known as BT Sport) offers Premier League and European football fixtures, rugby union and tennis, alongside a whole host of other sports. It costs £29.99 a month on its own and can be bolstered to include Now TV’s sports membership.
All of the options come with the Discovery+ streaming service as standard. This offers programming from channels like TLC, Quest and Really, as well as other real-life documentary series from Discovery’s stable of specialist channels.
You need to have a BT landline to access BT broadband deals. This means you’ll have to pay line rental as part of your bill.
If you’re looking to avoid line rental, you could consider mobile broadband instead, which might even include free weekend calls. Extra call packages can be added if desired.
Finally, you’ll have free access to BT Wi-Fi hotspots across the country with all broadband deals.
BT Broadband is BT’s standard broadband service that runs on ADSL, which uses the same copper wires that your phone line uses.
Fibre optic is usually a lot quicker than ADSL,but it isn't available everywhere. To see what broadband is available in your area, use Ofcom’s postcode checker.
Even if you're in a fibre optic area, you may not be able to get fibre optic direct to your house. This type of connection is called Fibre to the Property or FTTP which can be quite expensive to install.
It may be the case that a fibre cable goes to a local cabinet and then uses the copper telephone wires for the 'last mile' from the cabinet to your home. If that's the case, it's called Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC). Most of the UK's fibre rollout is FTTC which is usually a lot quicker than ADSL but a bit slower than FTTP.
BT offers two broadband options, BT Superfast Fibre and BT Standard Broadband. Below you can see the range of the Fibre Packages BT offer
Data sourced from BT Fibre website
|
|
Average download speed |
Average upload speed |
|
Superfast Fibre Essential |
36Mbps |
9Mbps |
|
Superfast Fibre |
50Mbps |
9Mbps |
|
Superfast Fibre 2 |
67Mbps |
18Mbps |
|
Superfast Fibre 100 |
145Mbps |
28Mbps |
|
Superfast Fibre 250 |
300Mbps |
47Mbps |
BT Superfast Fibre (formerly known as BT infinity) is its fibre optic broadband. Superfast fibre uses fibre optic technology to produce superfast speeds averaging 67Mbps.
These levels of speed allow you to do more online:
BT has guaranteed reliable broadband speeds - and you can claim £20 if you don’t get the speeds you were promised.
It’s important to remember that your actual speed depends on a few factors including: your location, phone line, home wiring, Wi-Fi connection and the time of day.
Here are few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the right broadband deal:
BT is known for good customer service, backed up by recent Ofcom reports.
While customer reviews are all well and good, it’s still worth comparing deals from different providers yourself. There are lots of smaller companies that offer excellent customer service. It is important to shop before committing to a deal.
BT offers a range of contract lengths. They usually last for either a 12-month period or for two years (24 months). Both options have their advantages. A shorter-term deal allows you to switch again in a relatively short time frame – something that could save you a decent amount of money. Meanwhile, the longer contracts may offer a slightly cheaper monthly rate.
You can also lock in a TV/streaming bundle at a good price for longer. As we’ve seen from the recent Netflix and Disney Plus price hikes, streamers can up their prices significantly at relatively short notice.
BT broadband packages are available to buy online. It’s worth having a look at our broadband comparison page to see whether you can get it in your area and what type of package suits you best. Just filter the options to select BT broadband, the speed you want and monthly cost.
If you’d prefer to discuss your options with BT directly, you should call the provider on its broadband number: 0330 1234 150 . This line is open from 8am to 9pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on weekends and public holidays. Calls are free if you’re getting in touch via the BT network.
If you’re moving home and you want to take BT with you, you should get in touch to give them your new address. They’ll let you know if your existing package is available there and what other deals you can qualify for.
You might be charged a small fee or forced to take on a new contract term when you move BT to your new address. If they don’t offer coverage in the area you’re moving to, you may have to pay exit fees (depending on whether you’re still within your minimum term).
If you’re not already with BT when you move, you can switch over to them. Just be aware that you may be charged an exit fee by your existing provider if you’re still within your minimum term. It’s also worth noting that it can take time for a broadband connection to be set up in your home. So be sure to arrange your new deal around two-to-three weeks ahead of your move-in date.
And for those with landlines, you may be able to take your home phone number with you. You’ll have to be covered by the same exchange (ie, the network hub that gives you your area code) to do so. It’s worth talking to BT if this is something you’re keen to do.
BT runs through the Openreach network, so its broadband coverage is available in most areas of the UK. Once you’ve decided which deal to go for, get in touch with BT and they will arrange your switch for you.
If you’re currently with a provider that shares the Openreach network – such as EE, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, or NOW Broadband – BT will arrange your cancellation directly with them. But, if you’re switching from a broadband brand on a different network, such as Virgin Media, you’ll need to get in touch with them to let them know your BT broadband activation date.
Your contract situation will determine whether or not you’ll have to pay exit fees to switch. If you’re still within the minimum term of your existing deal, you could face a hefty penalty. Alternatively, if you’re outside the minimum term, you can move to another provider for free. You can end your contract early without incurring a penalty if any of the following apply:
For more information on switching, visit our guide on how to switch your broadband.