What is Fibre Broadband?

Fibre Broadband explained

Standard broadband, also known as ADSL, is delivered over copper wire. Fibre broadband is different because it uses faster and more reliable fibre-optic cables. Openreach operate the UK’s largest broadband and telephone network and provides the infrastructure for Fibre broadband.

There are a few ways that a Fibre broadband connection can reach your house, but the most common way is known as Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC). FTTC is when the signal comes through a fibre cable to the local green cabinet on your street, and then through copper wires the rest of the way to your home.

A newer technology called Fibre to the premises (FTTP), also known as ‘Full Fibre’, is becoming more available. This uses a fibre-optic cable for the full journey all the way to your home and offers the fastest speeds.

Can I get Fibre Broadband?

This depends on two things:

If fibre is available in your area
If there is space in your nearest green cabinet

Fibre broadband is available in over 90% of the UK and managed by Openreach. If Openreach hasn’t brought fibre to your area, most internet service providers won’t be able to offer it. You can check whether you can get Fibre broadband, and what speeds you can expect on the line to your home, using our Speed Checker.

If fibre is not available at your property, Openreach may be able to give you an idea of when it will be coming.

How is Fibre Broadband installed?

Standard fibre broadband needs an engineer to set up the connection in the green cabinet, but you don’t need to be there for this as it happens remotely and not on your premises. However, if a new line connection is needed to your property, you will need to arrange an engineer to visit at a convenient time.

If available, Full Fibre (FTTP) broadband doesn’t need an engineer visit. If you order from us before 1.30PM, you can be up and running the next working day.

Less interference in the wires means a more reliable connection

Higher speeds mean you can download photos, music and videos quicker

Little to no buffering when you’re streaming videos

Great if you’ve got multiple devices connected at once in your household

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*On 31 March each year our monthly prices will increase by £3 for broadband, £2 for TV and £1.50 for mobile SIM, Airtime and Connected Devices. Out of bundle charges will increase by 5%. See ee.co.uk/prices-explained for details. All prices shown are in contract prices. The cost of other services you take from us may increase or decrease while you are an EE customer.
The legal bit

Broadband

Broadband: 24 month minimum term applies. Subject to credit check and availability. Monthly charges assume online billing. Consumer plans only. £50 charge applies if new line required. Average speed based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, phone line, home wiring, wi-fi connection and time of day. You own the router 14 days after activation. Our broadband terms apply, see ee.co.uk/terms

Data Boost Discount: Available to selected new and existing EE customers on a pay monthly handset plan or selected SIM only phone plans who also have an existing eligible BT Broadband Plan. Both accounts to be registered to the same account holder at the same address to benefit from a double data boost on their registered EE Plan. Double data applicable to all numbers registered on the EE account. Double data applied to core data allowance only. One eligible EE account per BT account. Consumer plans only. You can only have one double data offer per EE mobile account. If either the EE or BT account has an outstanding overdue balance, the double data will be removed. If you are no longer an eligible EE or BT customer, double data will be removed. No cash alternative. May take up to 24 hours to activate. For further information around data processing, please see our EE Privacy Policy or BT Privacy Policy.

With landline: See terms for calling add-ons.

Without landline: No landline calls service included. You will have no dial tone and will not be able to make or receive calls, including calls to emergency services.

Full Fibre Broadband: Only available without landline for customers living in premises enabled for full fibre from EE. Next-day activation available where an existing full fibre service is not in place. Orders must be placed before 1:30pm.

4GEE/5GEE Home Router: Indoor use only. Compatible laptop/tablet and 4G/5G coverage required, see ee.co.uk/why-ee/mobile-coverage. Available on 24 month minimum term or 30 day contract. Subject to credit check. Plans are for mobile internet in a fixed location. Supports up to 32 compatible devices. Signal range up to 30m. The more devices you have connected to your 4G/5GEE Home Router at the same time, the slower your internet connection will be. Access to our fastest available speeds. 4G/5G speeds depend on the location of your router (we recommend you place your router on or near a window sill), the number of users and plan. Equipment may be different from that shown. Further terms apply, see ee.co.uk/terms.

Fair Usage Policy: Unlimited Plans are for personal, non-commercial use only. We will consider usage above 1000GB/month to be non-personal use and have the right to apply traffic management controls to deprioritise your mobile traffic during busy periods or to move you to a business plan.

What is Fibre Broadband?

Fibre Broadband explained

What is a ‘Green Cabinet’?

Why is Fibre Broadband faster?