Full Fibre Broadband Explained
Full Fibre broadband (FTTP) uses fibre optic cables all the way from your provider to your home, delivering faster, more reliable internet than Standard or Part Fibre connections that still rely on copper wiring. With speeds typically starting at 100Mbps and reaching up to 5Gbps, it's well suited to households that stream, game, work from home, or use multiple connected devices at the same time. In this guide, we’ll explain what Full Fibre broadband is, how it works, and whether you could benefit from a FTTP connection.
Full Fibre broadband explained: What it is and how it works
When it comes to selecting a broadband package and provider, there is no shortage of options (and acronyms) to choose from. Before making any decisions, it’s important to know what each connection means, how it works, and if it’s available to you.
Full Fibre is a type of broadband connection that hooks up directly to your home and is often abbreviated as FTTP (fibre to the premises) or FTTH (fibre to the home). Before you commit to a Full Fibre package, you should first understand if it’s the right connection for your home.
Full Fibre is a type of broadband connection that hooks up directly to your home and is often abbreviated as FTTP (fibre to the premises) or FTTH (fibre to the home). Before you commit to a Full Fibre package, you should first understand if it’s the right connection for your home.
What is Full Fibre broadband?
Full Fibre broadband is a type of high-speed connection where a fibre optic cable runs from your provider directly to the premises.
A Full Fibre connection differs from other types of broadband hook ups because it uses a fibre optic cable for the entire infrastructure, not just to the street cabinet.
A Full Fibre connection differs from other types of broadband hook ups because it uses a fibre optic cable for the entire infrastructure, not just to the street cabinet.
How does Full Fibre broadband work?
Full Fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables to carry data directly from the provider’s exchange to your home. Unlike Standard broadband or Part Fibre broadband, the connection does not rely on copper telephone cables for any part of the journey.
Fibre optic cables contain very thin strands of glass or plastic. They transmit internet data as pulses of light that travel along these strands at very high speeds.
The cables are durable, flexible and less susceptible to interference, helping Full Fibre provide a fast and reliable broadband connection.
Fibre optic cables carry data using pulses of light, while copper cables transmit data using electrical signals. These electrical signals can weaken over longer distances and may be affected by interference, weather and the condition of the cables.
Copper cables are used for all or part of Standard broadband, Part Fibre, and other connections that rely on the existing telephone network. Although these connections are widely available, they generally cannot provide the same speeds and reliability as Full Fibre.
How do fibre optic cables transmit data?
Fibre optic cables contain very thin strands of glass or plastic. They transmit internet data as pulses of light that travel along these strands at very high speeds.
The cables are durable, flexible and less susceptible to interference, helping Full Fibre provide a fast and reliable broadband connection.
Why are fibre cables faster than copper?
Fibre optic cables carry data using pulses of light, while copper cables transmit data using electrical signals. These electrical signals can weaken over longer distances and may be affected by interference, weather and the condition of the cables.
Copper cables are used for all or part of Standard broadband, Part Fibre, and other connections that rely on the existing telephone network. Although these connections are widely available, they generally cannot provide the same speeds and reliability as Full Fibre.
What’s the difference between Full Fibre and Standard Fibre broadband?
The main difference between Full Fibre and Standard Fibre broadband connections comes down to speed, reliability, availability, and infrastructure.
• Most Full Fibre broadband speeds start at around 100Mbps and can reach up to 5Gbps.
• Standard Fibre connection speeds typically range from 30-80 Mbps.
• Full Fibre is a more reliable option as it is less prone to damage, interference, and weather issues.
• The copper cables in Standard Fibre are less durable than fibre optic and wear down over time. And because they use electrical fields to move data, they can be slowed by bad weather and interference.
• Full Fibre is only available to roughly 60% of the UK as of now and is typically more expensive than other broadband packages. However, Full Fibre continues to grow in availability across the country and is the more future-proofed option as copper cables are replaced.
• Standard Fibre is an affordable, accessible option currently serving 99% of the UK, but is due to be phased out by 2027.
• Full Fibre uses glass fibre optic cables from the provider exchange directly to your home that transmit data using pulses of light.
• Standard Fibre uses copper cables from the provider to the cabinet to the home and moves data through electrical currents.
Part Fibre connection, which uses both fibre optic and copper cables, will fall somewhere in the middle, depending on specific offerings and locations.
Speed
• Most Full Fibre broadband speeds start at around 100Mbps and can reach up to 5Gbps.
• Standard Fibre connection speeds typically range from 30-80 Mbps.
Reliability
• Full Fibre is a more reliable option as it is less prone to damage, interference, and weather issues.
• The copper cables in Standard Fibre are less durable than fibre optic and wear down over time. And because they use electrical fields to move data, they can be slowed by bad weather and interference.
Availability
• Full Fibre is only available to roughly 60% of the UK as of now and is typically more expensive than other broadband packages. However, Full Fibre continues to grow in availability across the country and is the more future-proofed option as copper cables are replaced.
• Standard Fibre is an affordable, accessible option currently serving 99% of the UK, but is due to be phased out by 2027.
Infrastructure
• Full Fibre uses glass fibre optic cables from the provider exchange directly to your home that transmit data using pulses of light.
• Standard Fibre uses copper cables from the provider to the cabinet to the home and moves data through electrical currents.
Part Fibre connection, which uses both fibre optic and copper cables, will fall somewhere in the middle, depending on specific offerings and locations.
What are the benefits of Full Fibre broadband?
Full Fibre broadband offers faster download and upload speeds than Part or Standard Fibre, with a more reliable connection.
Because Full Fibre can support faster speeds, it is often a more suitable option for larger households with multiple users and devices that are streaming, gaming and working from home.
And with the digital landline switch off, the UK’s copper broadband and landline network will be retired by 2027, so Full Fibre is a more future-proofed technology that will keep your home connected throughout this transition.
Because Full Fibre can support faster speeds, it is often a more suitable option for larger households with multiple users and devices that are streaming, gaming and working from home.
And with the digital landline switch off, the UK’s copper broadband and landline network will be retired by 2027, so Full Fibre is a more future-proofed technology that will keep your home connected throughout this transition.
What speeds can you get with Full Fibre?
There is a wide range of speeds you can get with a Full Fibre broadband connection in the UK, with most packages starting at around 100 Mbps and reaching up to 5 Gbps.
Gigabit compatibility, alongside Full Fibre infrastructure, is becoming more widely available to UK households and can provide homes with an even faster broadband connection.
But, when looking at available speeds and packages for Full Fibre broadband, peak speed is less important than consistent speed. Just because your package can offer up to 5 Gbps doesn’t mean you will get that speed all the time. So, when choosing your plan, even with a Full Fibre connection, it’s important to understand the full range of speeds offered and that the higher end might not be what you receive all the time.
Gigabit compatibility, alongside Full Fibre infrastructure, is becoming more widely available to UK households and can provide homes with an even faster broadband connection.
But, when looking at available speeds and packages for Full Fibre broadband, peak speed is less important than consistent speed. Just because your package can offer up to 5 Gbps doesn’t mean you will get that speed all the time. So, when choosing your plan, even with a Full Fibre connection, it’s important to understand the full range of speeds offered and that the higher end might not be what you receive all the time.
Is Full Fibre broadband available in my area?
Though the rollout of Full Fibre is expanding across the UK, availability still currently varies depending on where you live.
Many providers have availability checkers, like Sky’s postcode checker, to help you understand what broadband options are available in your area.
Many providers have availability checkers, like Sky’s postcode checker, to help you understand what broadband options are available in your area.
Is Full Fibre broadband worth it?
Full Fibre broadband may be worth it if your household needs a fast, reliable connection for activities such as streaming, online gaming, video calling or working from home. It can support multiple people and devices using the internet at the same time, although it is typically more expensive than Part Fibre broadband.
Full Fibre, also known as FTTP or fibre to the premises, uses fibre optic cables for the entire connection from the provider’s network to your home. FTTC, or fibre to the cabinet, uses fibre optic cables as far as the local street cabinet, followed by copper cables for the final connection to your property.
Because Full Fibre does not rely on copper cables, it can generally deliver faster speeds and a more reliable connection than FTTC. It is also less affected by the distance between your home and the street cabinet.
Full Fibre may be suitable for households that:
• Stream TV programmes and films in multiple rooms
• Play online games
• Work from home
• Make video calls regularly
• Have multiple connected devices
• Use smart appliances or smart home technology
The more people and devices using your broadband connection at the same time, the more likely your household is to benefit from the increased speed and reliability offered by Full Fibre.
The UK is moving away from older copper-based ADSL and FTTC connections as part of a national broadband network upgrade. Where available, Sky Full Fibre Broadband offers a more future-ready connection that can support your household’s changing internet needs.
What is the difference between Full Fibre and FTTC?
Full Fibre, also known as FTTP or fibre to the premises, uses fibre optic cables for the entire connection from the provider’s network to your home. FTTC, or fibre to the cabinet, uses fibre optic cables as far as the local street cabinet, followed by copper cables for the final connection to your property.
Because Full Fibre does not rely on copper cables, it can generally deliver faster speeds and a more reliable connection than FTTC. It is also less affected by the distance between your home and the street cabinet.
Who is Full Fibre Broadband best for?
Full Fibre may be suitable for households that:
• Stream TV programmes and films in multiple rooms
• Play online games
• Work from home
• Make video calls regularly
• Have multiple connected devices
• Use smart appliances or smart home technology
The more people and devices using your broadband connection at the same time, the more likely your household is to benefit from the increased speed and reliability offered by Full Fibre.
The UK is moving away from older copper-based ADSL and FTTC connections as part of a national broadband network upgrade. Where available, Sky Full Fibre Broadband offers a more future-ready connection that can support your household’s changing internet needs.