Fibre vs Full Fibre: What’s the Difference and Do You Need It?

If you’ve been shopping around for broadband in the UK, you’ve probably come across the terms “fibre” and “full fibre”. On the surface, they may seem similar, but there are key differences that can impact your internet experience. In this guide, we’ll break down what each term means, how they compare in terms of speed, reliability, availability, and cost—and ultimately help you decide which one is right for your home or business.

What is Fibre Broadband?

Fibre broadband, commonly known as FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), is a hybrid system that uses a mix of fibre-optic cables and older copper wires.

How Does FTTC Work?

With FTTC, fibre-optic cables run from your local exchange to a street cabinet (the green boxes you see on the roadside). From there, traditional copper wires connect the cabinet to your home.

This infrastructure limits the maximum speed and reliability of your connection, as copper wires tend to degrade over distance and are more susceptible to interference.

FTTC Speeds

Typical FTTC packages offer download speeds between 35Mbps and 80Mbps depending on your distance from the cabinet and network congestion.

Pros of Fibre (FTTC):

• Widely available across the UK
• More affordable than full fibre
• Ideal for small households or light internet users

Cons of Fibre (FTTC):

• Slower speeds compared to full fibre
• Speed can degrade with distance from the cabinet
• More prone to service disruption

What is Full Fibre Broadband?

Full fibre, also known as FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), delivers fibre-optic cables directly to your home or business, with no copper involved.

How Does FTTP Work?

FTTP networks use high-speed fibre-optic cables all the way from the exchange to your property. This results in far faster, more stable connections that are capable of gigabit (1,000Mbps+) speeds.

FTTP Speeds

• Download speeds: 100Mbps to 1Gbps (or more)
• Upload speeds: Often symmetrical (same as download)
• Ultra-low latency, ideal for gaming and video calls

Pros of Full Fibre (FTTP):

• Significantly faster speeds
• Reliable and consistent performance
• Great for large households and heavy usage
• Future-proof as online needs increase

Cons of Full Fibre (FTTP):

• Limited availability (but expanding quickly)
• Usually costs more than FTTC
• May require installation of new equipment

Fibre vs Full Fibre: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Fibre (FTTC)	Full Fibre (FTTP)
Speed (Download)	35-80Mbps	100Mbps to 5Gbps+
Speed (Upload)	5-20Mbps	Up to 1Gbps
Reliability	Moderate	Very High
Latency	Medium	Very Low
Availability	Nationwide	Expanding rapidly
Price	Lower	Higher
Installation	Often existing lines	May require an engineer visit

Which One Do You Need?

The right broadband type for you depends on how you use the internet, how many devices are connected in your home, and your location.

Choose Fibre (FTTC) if:

• You browse the web, check email, and stream occasionally
• You have fewer than 4 people using the internet at the same time
• You’re on a tight budget
• Full fibre isn’t yet available in your area

Choose Full Fibre (FTTP) if:

• You stream in 4K, play online games, or attend video calls daily
• You work from home or run an online business
• You have smart home devices and heavy internet usage
• You want to future-proof your connection

How to Check Availability in Your Area

Full fibre availability is growing rapidly across the UK thanks to government and private sector investment. Providers like BT, Virgin Media, Openreach, CityFibre, Hyperoptic, and Gigaclear are rolling out FTTP to more postcodes every month.

To check if you can get full fibre where you live, use our Broadband Club postcode checker. It instantly shows you all available deals in your area, including FTTC, FTTP, and alternatives like mobile broadband.

Is Full Fibre Worth the Upgrade?

If full fibre is available in your area and fits your budget, the benefits are clear:

• Future-proof speeds
• Better performance for multiple users
• Fewer service interruptions
• Stronger upload speeds for cloud backups, video conferencing, and gaming

Even if you don’t need 1Gbps speeds today, you may benefit from the added stability and responsiveness of a full fibre connection.

What If Full Fibre Isn’t Available Yet?

If FTTP isn’t yet available in your area, don’t worry. Here are a few options:

1. Stick with Fibre (FTTC):

A solid choice for most households, especially if you’re near the cabinet and get decent speeds.

2. 4G/5G Home Broadband:

Mobile networks now offer fast and flexible alternatives, especially in areas with strong signal.

3. Satellite Broadband:

Services like Starlink can deliver full-speed internet even in remote or rural areas. (You’d have to go direct to Starlink as we don’t work with them yet)

4. Register Your Interest:

Contact providers like Openreach or Gigaclear to express interest in FTTP. This can help prioritise your area for upgrades.

Common Questions About Fibre vs Full Fibre

Is full fibre really faster than fibre?

Yes. Full fibre can deliver 10x the speed or more, especially for uploads.

Will I need a new router for full fibre?

Often, yes. Your new provider will usually supply a compatible router.

Can I switch from fibre to full fibre?

Yes, if full fibre is available. The process is similar to a normal provider switch.

Is full fibre more expensive?

Typically, yes—but the price gap is shrinking as FTTP becomes more mainstream.

Can I use full fibre for gaming?

Absolutely. Full fibre offers lower latency and higher speeds, making it ideal for online gaming.

Conclusion: Fibre vs Full Fibre

In summary:

• Fibre (FTTC) is widely available and cost-effective for standard usage.
• Full Fibre (FTTP) is faster, more reliable, and ideal for modern connected homes.

As the UK moves towards nationwide FTTP coverage, upgrading to full fibre is becoming a smart move—especially for streaming, remote work, and gaming.

Ready to compare fibre and full fibre deals? Use our Broadband Club comparison tool to find the best internet options for your postcode today.