Fibre-optic broadband takes its name from the type of cables that are used to deliver broadband to your home. Unlike traditional ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) broadband, which uses copper phone lines to transfer data, fibre-optic cables are made up of tiny strands of plastic or glass.

Fibre-optic broadband is useful if you’ve got lots of connected devices at home, like a smart TV, smart speaker, or smart light bulbs. Used together, these devices all demand a rapid connection speed. It’s also helpful if you want to stream 4K TV.

There are lots of companies that offer broadband packages – deciding which one to go for depends on your personal usage. Consider things like how many people will want to use the internet at the same time, and what they’ll be doing. For more help, you can take a look at our handy guide to help you choose the right broadband package.

If everyone at home wants to stream high-quality films at the same time, in different rooms, you’ll need a pretty quick download speed. 

Take note, though: installation isn’t always free of charge, depending on the provider, and you’ll pay more for a quicker speed.

Although fibre-optic broadband is often delivered via cables, most connections still use copper phone lines to transfer data into your home. This means you’ll have to pay line rental, even if you don’t use a landline for calls. Virgin Media is the exception – it doesn’t require an active phone line. 

With fibre-optic broadband being so speedy, you might be wondering why we still have ADSL connections at all. Unfortunately, fibre optic isn’t available in every part of the country yet.