FTTP
Full fibre (FTTP)
Fibre to the premises carries the connection directly to your home or building, without a copper telephone cable for the final stretch.
Explore full fibreDifferent connections.
A clearer choice.
Full fibre, part fibre, cable or 5G? Understand what reaches your home, what affects its performance and which questions to ask before you order.
FTTC
Part fibre (FTTC)
Fibre to the cabinet uses fibre for part of the route, then a copper telephone line between a street cabinet and your premises.
Explore part fibre
HFC / DOCSIS
Cable broadband
Traditional cable broadband combines fibre within the network with a coaxial cable into the home. Some cable operators also supply newer full-fibre connections.
Explore cable
5G
5G home broadband
A mobile broadband router connects your home to a mobile network, using a SIM rather than a fixed fibre, copper or cable access line.
Explore 5g home
Ethernet
Business leased lines
A leased line is a dedicated business connection, usually with matching upload and download capacity and service commitments defined in the contract.
Explore leased lineThe details that change your experience.
The network, your package and your home setup all play a part.
| Connection | The final link | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full fibre · FTTP | Optical fibre to the premises | The upload tier, installation route and hardware needed for your chosen speed. |
| Part fibre · FTTC | Copper telephone line from a cabinet | Your individual line estimate and whether a full-fibre upgrade can be ordered. |
| Cable · DOCSIS | Coaxial cable on a traditional cable network | Actual upload speed and whether the operator instead supplies FTTP at your address. |
| 5G home broadband | Mobile radio into a SIM router | Indoor reception, busy-time performance, data policies and return terms. |
| Business leased line | A dedicated contracted service | Committed bandwidth, installation charges, support and the service-level agreement. |
Gigabit is a speed class. Full fibre is a technology. A cable connection can deliver gigabit downloads, while a full-fibre connection can be sold on a lower-speed package. Compare both the connection type and the actual offer.
Sources & further reading
Official information behind this guide. Links checked 29 October 2026; individual datasets retain their stated reference dates.
- Customers to get clearer broadband information (opens in a new tab)Ofcom
- Choose the right broadband for your needs (opens in a new tab)Ofcom
- Full Fibre broadband (opens in a new tab)Openreach
- Fibre to the Cabinet broadband (opens in a new tab)Openreach
- Help with Ethernet (opens in a new tab)Openreach
- Our fibre network (opens in a new tab)Virgin Media
Put the connection in context.
Find the right speed and understand the route into your home.
Getting started3 min read
Speeds3 min read
Getting started3 min read
Full fibre vs part fibre: what are you actually buying?
Understand FTTP, FTTC and cable, how the final connection differs, and why the technology matters alongside the package speed.
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Estimate the speed for simultaneous streaming, calls and downloads with transparent assumptions instead of a misleading device count.
What happens during a full-fibre installation?
Prepare for a fibre installation with a clear equipment, access and testing checklist, from the incoming cable to your home Wi-Fi.