// LEARN / BROADBAND
What broadband speed do I need?
Tell us what your household does at its busiest time and we’ll show which UK broadband packages can keep up, and which are more than you need.
// YOUR HOUSEHOLD
What’s happening at the busiest time?
Think of a weekday evening: who’s watching, calling or gaming all at once? The figures below are an example, so change them to match your home.
How each package copes
Speeds are typical UK package speeds; upload speeds vary between providers, so check yours. We add 50% on top of your busy-time total for Wi-Fi losses and everyday spikes.
// MB OR Mb?
Why downloads seem slower than your speed
Broadband is sold in megabits per second (Mb/s), but files are measured in megabytes (MB). There are 8 bits in a byte, so divide your speed by 8 to see how many MB arrive each second.
// FEELS SLOW?
Paying for fast broadband but it feels slow?
Most of the time the broadband is fine and the Wi-Fi inside the house is the problem.
Test next to the router
Run a speed test on a laptop plugged into the router with a cable, then again in the room where it feels slow. A big difference means it’s the Wi-Fi, not the line.
Give the router some space
Central, up high and out in the open works best. Inside a cupboard, behind the TV or next to a fish tank can halve the signal.
Thick walls? Think mesh
Older houses with solid walls, extensions and loft rooms often need mesh Wi-Fi: two or three units that pass the signal around the house.
Know your guaranteed speed
Under Ofcom’s broadband speeds code, most big providers must give you a minimum guaranteed speed when you sign up, and let you leave without a penalty if they can’t fix it.