Start with the services available at your property, then choose a speed tier for the times when residents work, study and stream simultaneously. Ofcom describes 30–300 Mbit/s superfast broadband as suitable for most everyday home working, video calls and streaming; heavier overlapping use may justify a higher tier, but predicted download and upload speeds, connection type and installation conditions still need checking at the address.
Residents making work or study video calls while others stream or download need to consider upload speed as well as the advertised download tier. Ofcom advises matching broadband speed to the household’s activities.
If ordinary calls and streaming make up most of the household’s use, check whether a superfast package meets those needs before choosing a higher tier. Ofcom places these everyday activities within its 30–300 Mbit/s superfast range.
Limited fixed-line availability or a flat that needs installation permission can narrow the practical choices. Ofcom’s availability checker helps identify possible connections; Openreach says apartment full-fibre installation may require permission from a landlord, freeholder or managing agent.
Check the property’s postcode with Ofcom and shortlisted providers before comparing tiers: predicted availability and speeds can differ from what the property actually receives. Then compare the connection type and both download and upload speeds against the household’s busiest period of use.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous use | Compare predicted download and upload speeds with overlapping calls, streaming and downloads. Ofcom places everyday calls and streaming in the 30–300 Mbit/s superfast range. | When several residents are online together, I need calls to remain usable while other activities continue. Around 40% of consumers put shared-use capacity first. |
| Address and connection type | Check the postcode result with providers, including whether the connection is full-fibre, part-fibre, cable, copper, fixed wireless or satellite. | If my property has limited wired options, I need to establish which connections I can actually order before choosing a tier. Address-level availability comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Tier fit | Compare the household’s regular activities with the available tiers rather than choosing a faster tier solely from its headline speed. | For mostly everyday calls and streaming, I want enough capacity without choosing a tier my household is unlikely to use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise that fit. |
| Installation and switching | Confirm any building permission, engineer visit and equipment changes before arranging a switch. | In a rented flat, I need to know whether installation can go ahead and how the household will stay connected during a switch. Those practical steps are the primary concern for around 10% of consumers. |
A promoted connection or speed tier may not be available at your property. Ofcom warns that actual availability and received speeds can differ from its location-level predictions.
Check Ofcom’s postcode result, then confirm the property-level options with providers before settling on a connection type.
Part-fibre typically uses copper between the street cabinet and the property; full-fibre takes fibre to the property. Ofcom distinguishes these technologies, so the word fibre alone does not identify the connection you will receive.
Read the technology description supplied for the specific package and address.
A busy shared connection may need more capacity, but an in-home Wi-Fi issue can also affect what residents experience. Changing tiers without separating the two may leave the underlying issue unresolved.
Compare the existing service with the provider’s promised speed and check whether slowdowns occur across devices and at different times before changing tiers.
A provider to check for part-fibre and full-fibre packages at the property.
A cable and full-fibre provider whose higher-speed tiers may be relevant to frequent overlapping use.
A full-fibre provider to check where its network serves the building.
A satellite option to investigate where suitable fixed-line or fixed-wireless service is unavailable.
Start with the speeds available at the property and the household’s busiest overlapping use. Ofcom describes 30–300 Mbit/s superfast broadband as suitable for most everyday home working, video calls and streaming; frequent heavy activity across several residents may justify a higher tier, provided the address can receive it.
No: part-fibre can meet a shared home’s needs if its predicted speeds suit the household’s activities. Ofcom says full-fibre usually offers faster and more reliable speeds, but availability differs by address; check the actual connection type rather than relying on a general fibre label.
Possibly, but building permission may be needed before installation. Openreach says work in an apartment building can require agreement from the landlord, freeholder or managing agent, so confirm the building’s existing connection and permission requirements before arranging service.
