FTTP, FTTC and FTTH: the jargon
| Term | What it means | Typical ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| FTTP / FTTH | Fibre to the premises / home: full fibre | 1 Gbps or more |
| FTTC | Fibre to the cabinet, copper to your home | up to ~80 Mbps |
| ADSL | Copper all the way | up to ~24 Mbps |
| Cable | Fibre to the street, coaxial cable to your home | 1 Gbps+ download |
Real-world speeds depend on the package you buy and your home wi-fi.
Why full fibre is better
- Speed: gigabit packages are common, and some providers sell multi-gigabit plans.
- Uploads: many full fibre plans have much faster uploads than FTTC or cable, which helps video calls and backups.
- Reliability: no copper to corrode or pick up interference, and speed doesn’t drop with distance from the cabinet.
- Future-proof: the UK’s copper network is being retired, and full fibre is what replaces it.
Who sells full fibre in the UK?
Most big brands (BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, EE, Plusnet, NOW) sell full fibre over Openreach. Virgin Media is upgrading its own network to full fibre. Alternative networks such as CityFibre, Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, YouFibre and many regional builders sell it directly or through partner brands. Compare them on our providers page.
Getting full fibre installed
- Check availability for your exact address with providers and the Ofcom checker.
- Order, and book an engineer visit if a new line is needed.
- The engineer runs a fibre cable to a small box inside your home, usually near where your phone line comes in, and fits an optical network terminal (ONT).
- Your router plugs into the ONT. Think about where it goes: central placement gives better wi-fi.
Renting? You’ll usually need your landlord’s permission for any drilling. Ask early.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
