Broadband · Landline · TV
BT
The UK’s former national phone company and one of its biggest broadband providers.
- Network
- Openreach
- Tech
- Full fibre & part fibre
- Also sells
- TV, landline
- Owner
- BT Group
Broadband · Mobile · Home phone
Every connection, compared at full strength
Broadband, mobile networks, SIM-only plans, home phone and TV providers side by side, for the UK, the USA and Europe. Know what you’re buying, which network it really uses, and how to switch without the hassle.
Comparing in: United KingdomUnited StatesEurope
- Free to use no sign-up
- UK, USA & Europe in one place
- Network-aware see whose masts you’re on
- Official sources Ofcom, FCC & EU rules
Latest telecom news & guides
The digital landline switchover: what you need to know
The UK’s copper phone network closes by 31 January 2027. What digital voice means for your landline, telecare alarms and power cuts, and how to stay safe.
Read more →
Mid-contract price rises: the pounds-and-pence rule
Since January 2025, UK phone and broadband providers must show mid-contract price rises in pounds and pence. What the Ofcom rule means and when you can leave.
Read more →
One Touch Switch: how switching broadband works now
One Touch Switch lets your new UK broadband provider handle the whole switch, even between networks like Openreach, Virgin Media and altnets. How it works.
Read more →What are you comparing?
Pick a service to see how it works, who sells it and what to check before you sign.
Most searched
Broadband
Openreach, cable or altnet? Contract length, speed promises and router extras explained.
Compare broadband →Full fibre
Fibre all the way into your home: why it beats “fibre to the cabinet” and how to check if you can get it.
See full fibre →Mobile networks
The four UK networks, the brands that piggyback on them and how to choose on coverage, not adverts.
Compare networks →Big savingsSIM only
Keep your phone, cut your bill. 30-day vs 12-month plans, data needs and the small print.
Go SIM only →Home phone
Landlines are going digital. What the switchover means for your phone, alarm or telecare device.
Landline guide →TV & broadband
Bundles vs streaming: when a TV package makes sense and when apps on fast broadband are enough.
TV bundles →Rural & 5G home
Slow line? 4G/5G home broadband and satellite compared, plus your right to request a decent connection.
Rural options →Social tariffs
Cheaper broadband and mobile plans for people on Universal Credit and other benefits.
Check if you qualify →Who’s who: providers at a glance
Our SIM-style cards show the facts that matter: whose network a brand really uses, what else it sells and who owns it. Switch between the UK, the USA and Europe.
All providers →Big four
Broadband · TV · Mobile
Sky
Best known for TV packages; broadband runs over the Openreach network.
- Network
- Openreach
- Tech
- Full fibre & part fibre
- Also sells
- TV, Sky Mobile (O2)
- Owner
- Comcast
Broadband · TV · Mobile
Virgin Media
Runs its own cable and fibre network instead of Openreach, so availability is address by address.
- Network
- Own cable & fibre
- Tech
- Cable (DOCSIS) & full fibre
- Also sells
- TV, landline, mobile (O2)
- Owner
- Virgin Media O2
Mobile network
O2
A UK network operator whose masts also carry giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
- Type
- Network operator
- Owner
- Virgin Media O2
- Brands on it
- giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile
- eSIM
- Yes
SIM only · Monthly rolling
giffgaff
A SIM-only brand with monthly “goodybags” and no long contract, running on O2.
- Uses network
- O2
- Contracts
- Mainly 30-day rolling
- Owner
- Virgin Media O2
- Type
- MVNO
SIM only
Smarty
A SIM-only brand from Three with straightforward data plans, running on the Three network.
- Uses network
- Three
- Contracts
- 1-month & longer
- Owner
- VodafoneThree
- Type
- MVNO
Internet · TV · Mobile
Xfinity
Comcast’s brand and one of the largest US home internet providers, mostly over cable.
- Network
- Own cable & fiber
- Mobile
- Xfinity Mobile (Verizon)
- Owner
- Comcast
- Coverage
- Regional
Fiber · Wireless
AT&T
Runs a national mobile network plus AT&T Fiber and fixed wireless home internet in parts of the country.
- Network
- Own fiber & wireless
- Home options
- Fiber, Internet Air
- Prepaid brand
- Cricket
- Coverage
- National mobile
Fios · 5G Home · Wireless
Verizon
A national mobile carrier that also sells Fios fiber in the Northeast and 5G Home Internet.
- Network
- Own fiber & wireless
- Home options
- Fios, 5G Home
- Prepaid brands
- Visible, Total
- Coverage
- National mobile
5G Home · Wireless
T-Mobile
A national mobile carrier whose 5G Home Internet is a popular alternative to cable.
- Network
- Own wireless
- Home options
- 5G Home Internet, fiber in some areas
- Brands
- Metro, Mint Mobile
- Coverage
- National mobile
Prepaid wireless
Mint Mobile
Prepaid plans bought in multi-month blocks, running on T-Mobile’s network.
- Uses network
- T-Mobile
- Plans
- Prepaid, multi-month
- Owner
- T-Mobile
- Type
- MVNO
Satellite internet
Starlink
SpaceX’s low-orbit satellite service, used where cable and fiber don’t reach.
- Network
- Low-orbit satellites
- Kit
- Dish you set up
- Best for
- Rural homes, RVs
- Coverage
- Most of the US
Germany · Fixed & mobile
Deutsche Telekom
Germany’s largest operator, selling DSL, fibre, MagentaTV and mobile under the Telekom brand.
- Country
- Germany
- Network
- Own fixed & mobile
- Brand
- Telekom / Magenta
- Type
- Incumbent
France · Fixed & mobile
Orange
France’s largest operator, selling fibre with the Livebox router plus mobile plans.
- Country
- France (and more)
- Network
- Own fibre & mobile
- Router
- Livebox
- Type
- Incumbent
France · Fixed & mobile
Free
Iliad’s French brand, known for Freebox packages and low-cost mobile plans.
- Country
- France
- Network
- Own fibre & mobile
- Router
- Freebox
- Owner
- Iliad
Spain · Fixed & mobile
Movistar
Telefónica’s Spanish brand, with one of Europe’s largest fibre networks.
- Country
- Spain
- Network
- Own fibre & mobile
- Also sells
- Movistar Plus+ TV
- Owner
- Telefónica
Italy · Fixed & mobile
TIM
Italy’s former national telecom operator, selling fibre and mobile.
- Country
- Italy
- Network
- Own mobile
- Also sells
- TIMVISION
- Type
- Incumbent
Netherlands · Fixed & mobile
KPN
The Dutch incumbent, with a large fibre roll-out and a mobile network.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Network
- Own fibre & mobile
- Also sells
- TV
- Type
- Incumbent
How fast can each connection go?
Every broadband deal sits on one of these technologies. The bars show the typical ceiling of each one, so you can spot a “fibre” deal that isn’t really fibre.
ADSL (copper)
up to ~24 MbpsThe oldest broadband: phone-line copper all the way to your home. Speed falls the further you are from the exchange.
Being phased outPart fibre (FTTC / VDSL)
up to ~80 MbpsFibre to the street cabinet, then copper to your home. Sold as “fibre broadband” in the UK, but it isn’t full fibre.
Common in the UK4G / 5G home broadband
varies a lotA router with a SIM inside, using a mobile network. No line needed, but speed depends on local signal and busy times.
No engineer neededSatellite (low orbit)
tens to hundreds of MbpsServices like Starlink use low-orbit satellites. Useful where nothing else reaches; needs a clear view of the sky.
Rural optionCable (DOCSIS)
1 Gbps+ downloadCoaxial cable networks such as Virgin Media, Xfinity and Spectrum. Very fast downloads, slower uploads.
Big in the USFull fibre (FTTP / FTTH)
1 Gbps to multi-gigFibre optic cable all the way into your home. The fastest and most reliable option, with matching upload speeds on many plans.
FastestSwitch in four steps
In the UK, most broadband and mobile switches are now led by your new provider.
Full switching guide →Check your end date
Your provider must tell you before your contract ends. Leaving early can mean exit fees.
Check your address
Use the provider’s checker and the Ofcom checker for speeds and coverage.
Read the contract summary
Price, length, any price rises in pounds and pence, and the minimum speed promised.
Let the new provider switch you
One Touch Switch for broadband, or text “PAC” to 65075 to keep your mobile number.
Frequently asked questions
Is FullBars a broadband or mobile provider?
No. FullBars is a free comparison and guide site. You sign up directly with the provider you choose, under their terms. Some links may be affiliate links, which never changes what we write.
Which countries does FullBars cover?
We focus on the UK and also cover the USA and Europe, with region guides for US internet and cell plans and European broadband and mobile.
Why don’t you show prices on every card?
Broadband and mobile prices change weekly and vary by address, so a price on a card would quickly be wrong. We show the facts that stay true (network, technology, owner, contract types) and send you to the provider to check today’s price for your address.
What does “FullBars” mean?
Full signal bars: the connection you want. Our job is to help you find a provider that gives you full bars where you live, at a price that makes sense.