Your guide to BT Broadband packages
BT is the most popular provider of broadband in the UK. It's not hard to see why – BT has always been a household name, so often the brand people turn to when they're not sure what the competition offers. They're a safe bet.
But they're not exactly the cheapest provider in the UK, they're not the fastest, and they don't provide the best router either. Some might say their popularity isn't quite earned. But what's missing when accounting for the various factors of what's provided is just how complete and premium a service you're signing up for.
BT is one of the most complete broadband offerings out there, with excellent customer service, whole-home Wi-Fi options, some excellent TV bundles in the form of EE TV, and the ability to add on just about anything you can think of, including excellent home phone calling packages. But this isn't a review of BT Broadband – you can find that here. Instead we're going to go through what BT offers step by step so you know what you're buying.
Key features
- Variety of packages – BT offers a range of broadband options, including Superfast Fibre and Full Fibre plans, with speeds up to 900Mbps, catering to diverse household needs
- Stay Fast Guarantee – BT provides a speed guarantee, ensuring customers receive reliable broadband speeds day and night, with compensation if speeds fall below the guaranteed level
- Smart Hub routers – All BT Broadband packages come with advanced Smart Hub routers, delivering strong and powerful Wi-Fi throughout your home
- Robust security features – BT includes comprehensive security measures, such as built-in antivirus protection, to safeguard your online activities
- UK-based customer support – Customers have access to expert service teams based in the UK and Ireland, ensuring prompt and effective assistance when you need it
- Digital Voice service – BT's broadband packages support Digital Voice, allowing for high-quality landline calls over the internet, with various call plan options
- BT Wi-Fi hotspots – Subscribers gain free access to millions of BT Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK
BT Broadband speeds and pricing
There are eight different BT Broadband packages to choose from, each with a different average download speed.
| Broadband Package | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband | 10Mbps | 1Mbps | £29.99 per month |
| BT Fibre 1 | 50Mbps | 9.5Mbps | £30.99 per month |
| Fibre Essential | 36Mbps | 9.5Mbps | £29.99 per month |
| BT Fibre 2 | 67Mbps | 19Mbps | £25.99 per month |
| BT Full Fibre 100 | 150Mbps | 28Mbps | £30.99 per month |
| BT Full Fibre 300 | 300Mbps | 49Mbps | £30.99 per month |
| BT Full Fibre 500 | 500Mbps | 73Mbps | £39.99 per month |
| BT Full Fibre 900 | 900Mbps | 110Mbps | £40.99 per month |
As with any type of service, you can find out if BT Broadband – either ADSL, Standard Fibre or Full Fibre – is available where you live by using our quick postcode checker.
"BT is one of the few providers that still offers ADSL to homes that can't get anything faster. It also offers one of the widest ranges of speeds and bolt-on options, allowing you to add almost anything you can think of to your basic package. It isn't, and has never been, the cheapest provider, but the level of service and quantity of options arguably makes it worth the price."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
BT Broadband packages
Since we're talking about BT Broadband here, let's go through the various package levels available. Note there are many more packages in the form of bundles with TV, phone, and whole home options available, but for now let's look at what each package tier offers in terms fo their speed and what sort of customer they would suit.
Superfast | Fibre Essential | Fibre 1 | Fibre 2 | Full Fibre 100 | Full Fibre 300 | Full Fibre 500 | Full Fibre 900
BT Broadband
BT’s entry-level broadband package is a basic ADSL connection with average speeds of 10Mbps. It's not really desirable for any household these days, but you will only see it available if you cannot get anything faster anyway.
If you have multiple people using the internet at once or plan on streaming in HD, this package will struggle. If you can't get something quicker over a fixed line you may wish to consider faster 4G or 5G broadband options instead.
-
10Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- Pay as you go calls
BT Fibre 1
BT Fibre Essential is a solid starting point for anyone looking to move up from ADSL to Standard Fibre. With average speeds of 36Mbps, it can comfortably handle streaming, online shopping, and working from home for one or two people.
This package doesn’t come with a landline, so it’s a broadband-only option. If you have a busy household or plan on gaming and streaming in high quality, you may want to consider a faster package.
- £50 Virtual Reward Card
-
50Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Fibre 2
BT Fibre 1 offers a step up in speed, with an average of 50Mbps. That’s enough for households with a couple of people who want to stream in HD or 4K, take video calls, and browse without any slowdown.
Like Fibre Essential, this package doesn’t include a landline. If you need a broadband connection that can support a family or heavier internet use, Fibre 2 (or faster) might be a better option.
-
67Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Full Fibre 300
BT Fibre 2 pushes speeds up to an average of 67Mbps, making it a good fit for families who have moderate to low internet usage.
With no landline included, this broadband-only package is a strong choice for those who want a bit more speed for gaming, video calls, and streaming in 4K or HD without buffering.
- £70 Virtual Reward Card
-
300Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Full Fibre 500
BT Full Fibre 100 delivers an average speed of 150Mbps, which is enough for most households. Whether you're streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home, this package can handle it all.
Since it’s a Full Fibre package, there’s no landline, just a superfast, stable connection designed for modern households.
- £50 Virtual Reward Card
-
500Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Full Fibre 300
With average speeds of 300Mbps, BT Full Fibre 300 is ideal for larger households where multiple people need fast, stable internet at the same time. It can easily handle multiple 4K streams, online gaming, and heavy downloading without lag or buffering.
There’s no landline included, making it a broadband only package. If you need a top-tier connection but don’t require gigabit speeds, this is a great option.
- £70 Virtual Reward Card
-
300Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Full Fibre 500
BT Full Fibre 500 is for serious internet users who need consistently high speeds. With an average of 500Mbps, it’s great for gamers, remote workers, and households that stream in 4K across multiple devices.
Like other Full FIbre plans, there’s no phone line, just ultrafast, unlimited broadband that can keep up with heavy usage.
- £50 Virtual Reward Card
-
500Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
BT Full Fibre 900
BT Full Fibre 900 is the fastest package available, boasting an average speed of 900Mbps. This is designed for households that demand top-tier performance, whether that’s competitive gaming, 4K streaming, or running a home office with large data transfers.
If you want the best broadband BT offers and have access to Full Fibre, this is the ultimate package. Like all Full Fibre plans, there’s no phone line, just an ultrafast, rock-solid connection.
- £100 Virtual Reward Card
-
900Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
Broadband bundles
BT TV is no more but that's only because it was rebranded EE TV and continued offering a near-identical service to that which BT TV offered before it. There are a few differences, which are rather irrelevant in this context, so instead we're going to quickly run through what the options are when bundling additional services with your BT Broadband.
- BT broadband only – If you're seeking just an internet connection without additional services, BT provides standalone broadband packages. This is ideal for those who primarily need internet access without the additional fluff
- BT broadband and phone – For those who still use a landline, BT allows you to add a home phone service to your broadband package. You can choose from various call plans, including pay-as-you-go, 700 minutes per month, or unlimited anytime calls to UK numbers
- BT broadband and EE TV – BT offers bundles that combine broadband with EE TV services. You can enjoy a range of channels, including Freeview and the option to add NOW TV passes (Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports etc.) and TNT Sports
- BT broadband, TV, and phone – If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, BT provides packages that bundle broadband, EE TV, and phone services. This option streamlines your services under one bill and can offer savings compared to purchasing each service separately
Please note that to access EE TV, you need to subscribe to BT or EE Broadband. You can't get it on its own.
BT Broadband versus major providers
Of course, BT Broadband is not the only game in town. There are four or five UK providers that offer a similar line-up of services, albeit each in its own unique way. Here's a quick side-by-side comparison of what the UK's major providers offer. If you're not married to the idea of going with BT however, we encourage you to take a look at everything that's on offer at your address using our comprehensive postcode checker.
| Provider | Speed range | Customer service satisfaction | Extra features | Contract length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT Broadband | 10Mbps to 900Mbps | 83% | Complete Wi-Fi, Digital Voice, Halo for extra features | 24 months |
| Plusnet | 66Mbps to 910Mbps | 89% | Smart wireless, good range, family-friendly features | 24 months |
| Sky Broadband | 61Mbps to 900Mbps | 82% | Wi-Fi guarantee, Sky Shield security, parental controls | 24 months |
| TalkTalk | 67Mbps to 900Mbps | 78% | HomeSafe security, future-proof Wi-Fi 6 options | 18 months |
| Virgin Media | 54Mbps to 2Gbps | 81% | Intelligent Wi-Fi, security features, child-friendly filters | 18 months |
| Vodafone Broadband | 35Mbps to 1.6Gbps | 83% | Pro Broadband with mesh extenders, 4G backup | 24 months |
Customer satisfaction source: Ofcom
Buying tips and advice
When considering BT Broadband, it's important to assess your household’s internet usage to choose the right package. BT offers a wide range of options, from standard broadband to ultrafast Full Fibre plans, catering to different needs and budgets.
Installation and setup
Most BT broadband packages are self-install, meaning you can set them up yourself if there’s an active broadband connection at your address. However, if you're switching from another provider or upgrading to Full Fibre for the first time, an engineer may need to visit. BT will confirm if an installation is required when you place your order.
Contract length and price changes
BT broadband deals usually come with a 24-month contract. Be aware that BT applies annual price increases each April. If you’re looking for a provider with fixed pricing throughout the contract, BT might not be the best choice. Recently, Ofcom regulations now require broadband providers like to be more transparent about mid-contract price rises, which is why you'll now see those next to the headline pricing.
Renewing or switching
If you're already with BT and approaching the end of your contract, don’t just accept the standard renewal price. Contact BT to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Loyal customers often get discounts, especially if you mention competitor offers. If BT doesn’t offer a deal you’re happy with, switching providers might be worth considering.
Bundling broadband with EE TV and phone
BT broadband can be bundled with EE TV and a landline phone service. If you’re interested in watching premium TV channels, EE TV allows you to add NOW TV memberships for access to Sky’s content, as well as TNT Sports for more live sports coverage. Bundling services can sometimes be cheaper than buying them separately, but that's not always the case so it's worth checking out what it'll cost you to get Sky Stream separately, for example.
Upfront costs
BT often waives setup fees, but this depends on the package and any promotional offers running at the time. You may need to pay a one-off activation fee, so it’s worth checking before you sign up. BT also sometimes requires a small upfront payment to verify your payment details, which is then refunded on your first bill.
For full information about installing BT Broadband, check our installation guide.
BT broadband routers
When you sign up for BT Broadband, you'll receive a router designed to provide a reliable internet connection throughout your home
BT Smart Hub 2: Included with all BT's packages, the Smart Hub 2 features seven antennas for enhanced coverage and supports dual-band Wi-Fi. It also comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for versatile connectivity options
If you prefer to use your own router, ensure it's compatible with BT's broadband services. Guidance on setting up third-party routers with BT Broadband can be found online
Contract lengths
BT Broadband typically offers contracts with a minimum term of 24 months. It's important to be aware that if you decide to cancel your service before the end of this period, you may incur early termination charges. These fees are calculated based on the remaining months of your contract and can vary depending on your specific package and circumstances. It's advisable to carefully consider your long-term needs before committing to a BT Broadband package to avoid potential early exit fees, because they are long, in our opinion.
Rewards, vouchers and gift cards
BT Broadband frequently offers incentives to new customers in the form of BT Reward Cards. These are pre-loaded Mastercards that can be used at most retailers accepting Mastercard payments. The value of these reward cards varies depending on the specific broadband package chosen and the promotions available at the time of purchase.
To claim your BT Reward Card, once you've received your order confirmation email, log in to your My BT account. There, you'll find the option to claim your reward. After claiming, your reward will be sent to you, typically at least 14 days after your service is activated. It's important to note that you need to claim your reward within 90 days of placing your broadband order; otherwise, you'll forfeit the offer.
These promotional offers are time-sensitive and can change frequently. Therefore, it's advisable to check BT's official website or contact BT customer service for the most up-to-date information on available rewards and on the claiming process itself.
