Broadband Scout

Fibre vs Full Fibre: What Is the Difference?

How the two connections differ, and how to tell which one a deal actually uses.

    Reviewed by Phil Brown, founder and broadband reviewer · Last reviewed

    Key takeaways

    Networks
    • FTTC (part fibre) runs fibre to the street cabinet, then copper to your home, and tops out at 80Mbps.
    • Full fibre (FTTP) runs fibre all the way to your property, with packages up to 1.8Gbps on most of the Openreach network.
    • Cable (Virgin Media) also offers gigabit speeds, but its uploads are around a tenth of its downloads.
    • Full fibre has the biggest upload advantage and slowed least at busy times in Ofcom testing.
    • Availability is property-specific, so run an address-level check.

    How FTTC, full fibre and cable are built

    FTTC (part fibre) runs fibre from the exchange to your street cabinet. The last stretch into your home uses the existing copper phone line, and speed drops the further your home is from the cabinet.

    Full fibre (FTTP) runs fibre all the way to your property, so there is no copper section to slow it down. It is sold by providers using the Openreach network and by altnets, which are independent companies building their own full fibre networks.

    Cable (Virgin Media) runs on Virgin Media's own network rather than Openreach. Virgin Media is also moving parts of its network to full fibre.

    Speed and reliability compared

    The biggest practical difference is upload speed. FTTC uploads top out at 20Mbps. Most Openreach full fibre packages top out at 120Mbps, and some altnet networks offer uploads that match the download speed.

    FTTC (part fibre)Full fibre (FTTP)Cable (Virgin Media)
    Last stretch to your homeCopper from the street cabinetFibre all the wayVirgin Media's own network
    Fastest download availableUp to 80MbpsUp to 1.8Gbps on most Openreach linesUp to 1.1Gbps average on cable; up to 2Gbps where Virgin Media has upgraded to full fibre
    Fastest upload availableUp to 20MbpsUp to 120Mbps on most Openreach lines; equal to download on some altnetsUp to 104Mbps average on cable (Gig1), around a tenth of the download speed
    Speed drops with distance from the cabinetYesNoNo
    Best forSmaller households, browsing and HD streamingVideo calls, cloud backup, large uploads, busy homesFast downloads where full fibre is not available

    Sources: Openreach FTTC and FTTP product information (1.2Gbps and 1.8Gbps FTTP tiers available since April 2024); Virgin Media package pages (Gig1: 1,130Mbps download, 104Mbps upload; M500: 516Mbps download, 52Mbps upload; average speeds), 2026.

    Full fibre also holds up better when networks are busy. In Ofcom's March 2023 UK Home Broadband Performance report, its most recent, the effect of evening congestion was lowest on full-fibre lines.

    Why neighbours see different options

    Availability can vary between nearby addresses because networks are built in stages and routes differ by road, property type and building access. Apartment blocks, for example, usually need the building owner's permission before a network can be installed inside. That is why one home may have full fibre now while a neighbouring property is still limited to FTTC.

    How to tell if a deal is full fibre

    The word "fibre" on its own does not tell you much. Check these three things before you order:

    1. 1

      The package name. Look for "full fibre" or "FTTP". "Superfast fibre" and "fibre broadband" usually mean FTTC.

    2. 2

      The speed. FTTC tops out at 80Mbps, so a fixed-line package advertised above 80Mbps will almost always be full fibre or cable.

    3. 3

      The installation details. A first full fibre install at a property includes fitting a small fibre box inside your home. If a provider mentions this box, or an engineer visit to fit it, the package is full fibre.

    How to compare the right way

    Do not choose only by headline speed. Compare total monthly cost, contract length, setup charges, price rises and upload speed together.

    Start with an address-level postcode check, shortlist suitable deals, then compare value over the full minimum term. You can read how we compare to see how deals are ranked.

    Fibre vs full fibre FAQs

    Do I need a new router for full fibre?

    Usually your provider sends a compatible router. Full fibre also needs a small box, called an optical network terminal, fitted on an inside wall where the fibre enters your home. The router plugs into it.

    Will my landline still work?

    The old analogue phone network is being switched off by 31 January 2027, and landlines are moving to digital phone services that run over your broadband, on both FTTC and full fibre. Your provider will tell you whether your phone plugs into the router or needs an adapter.

    Will full fibre work in a power cut?

    No. The router and fibre box need mains power, so broadband and a digital landline stop working in a power cut. If you rely on your landline for emergency calls, Ofcom requires providers to offer a free solution, such as a battery back-up, that keeps emergency calls working for at least one hour.

    Is full fibre installation disruptive?

    A first install at a property usually needs an engineer visit. They may drill a small hole to bring the fibre inside. If you rent, check with your landlord first.

    About the reviewer

    Phil Brown · Founder, Broadband Scout

    Phil previously worked in UK telecoms retail at Three UK and has spent over a decade running consumer comparison platforms. He reviews each guide against provider terms and Ofcom guidance.

    To put this guide together, we checked connection types and speeds against Openreach product information, Virgin Media's published package speeds, Ofcom's UK Home Broadband Performance report (March 2023) and Ofcom guidance on digital landlines.

    More about Phil

    Editorial policy: This guide is produced by the Broadband Scout editorial team. Technical details are checked against provider terms and Ofcom guidance. Always confirm availability and current terms with the provider before signing up.

    Browse Broadband by Location