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Our Guide to Full Fibre Broadband

Our Guide to Full Fibre Broadband

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Get to know what makes Hyperoptic’s internet hyper-reliable and superfast.


Full fibre broadband represents a generational shift in how we access the internet. Instead of relying on century-old copper lines built for voice calls, it uses pure fibre-optic cabling to deliver data at the speed of light. That means smoother video calls, instant downloads, and rock-solid reliability, all from technology designed for the modern world, not retrofitted for it.

The UK is currently undergoing a huge fibre rollout, with more households connected every month. But “fibre” can mean different things depending on who you ask. Some services only run fibre part of the way, leaving a copper connection to finish the job.

Others, like Hyperoptic, go full fibre all the way to your building. This guide explains exactly what that means, how it differs from older broadband, and why it’s the key to faster, more dependable connectivity for years to come.


What do I need to know about Full Fibre Broadband?


There’s no shortage of buzzwords in broadband marketing, “superfast”, “ultrafast”, “gigabit”. It can sound impressive but still leave you wondering what’s actually different. Here’s what you really need to know about full fibre broadband:


  • It’s 100% fibre from the exchange to your home. Most “fibre” packages only cover the main network routes. Full fibre uses fibre-optic cabling the entire way, which means no copper bottlenecks and no speed drop-offs over distance.

  • It combines speed with stability. Fibre carries data as light through glass, making it immune to electrical interference and weather-related noise. You get the same steady connection during peak hours that you do at midnight.

  • It’s ready for modern life. From smart TVs and cloud gaming to video meetings and 8K streaming, full fibre can handle everything at once without slowing down.


Think about a typical household. One person might be on a work call while another is gaming online, someone else is uploading to cloud storage, and a tablet is streaming in the background. On older copper-based broadband, that mix can cause lag, buffering or dropouts. With full fibre, it all just works. The network doesn’t care how many devices you connect or what you’re doing, there’s bandwidth to spare.

It’s equally transformative for small businesses and freelancers. Designers can upload huge media files without waiting. Remote teams can collaborate in real time. Backup systems can sync continuously without hogging bandwidth. If that sounds familiar, you might want to explore Business vs Home Broadband – what’s the difference? for a deeper look at which setup best suits you.


What is fibre broadband and how is it different from traditional broadband?


To appreciate full fibre, it helps to understand what came before. The earliest UK broadband services ran on the same copper phone lines introduced in the 1800s. Known as ADSL, these connections typically offered around 10 Mbps download speeds and even slower uploads. They were fine for email and browsing but struggled once streaming and large downloads became the norm.

Fibre broadband (FTTC) was the next evolution. It replaced the main routes between exchanges and street cabinets with fibre-optic cables, massively improving capacity. But the final stretch from cabinet to home still relied on copper, a weak link that slows down the signal. That’s why “fibre” packages can still vary wildly in speed depending on how far you live from the cabinet.

Full fibre (FTTP) removes that final copper segment. The fibre runs straight into your building, eliminating the distance factor and allowing symmetrical speeds, meaning uploads are almost as fast as downloads. You get a stronger, faster, and more future-proof connection from day one.

For a simple breakdown of how each type compares, see Different Types of Broadband.


What is the difference between Part-Fibre Broadband and Full Fibre?


The technical difference comes down to the “last mile”, the stretch of cable between your building and the nearest network cabinet. That short section determines whether you have a fast, stable connection or one that slows to a crawl at busy times.

FeaturePart-Fibre (FTTC)Full-Fibre (FTTP)
Connection typeFibre to the cabinet, copper to your homeFibre directly to your building
Typical download speed30–80 MbpsHundreds of Mbps to 1 Gbps+
Upload speed5–20 MbpsUp to 900 Mbps
ReliabilityAffected by distance and line qualityConsistent and stable
Latency (delay)Higher, noticeable in gaming and callsVery low, ideal for real-time use

With part-fibre, performance drops the further you are from the cabinet. With full fibre, distance makes no difference. The signal is light, it simply travels at full speed until it reaches your router. You can read more about the underlying tech in FTTP explained.


What are the benefits of Full Fibre compared to Fibre Broadband?


Speed is the headline, but it’s not the whole story. Here’s what switching to full fibre really delivers:


  • Speed that keeps up: Download films, updates and backups in minutes instead of hours. Uploading large files feels instant, not something you plan around.

  • Reliability you can trust: Fibre doesn’t corrode or suffer interference, so your speed stays consistent no matter the weather or how many neighbours are online.

  • Low latency for real-time tasks: Online gaming, cloud applications and video calls stay sharp and responsive, even when the network’s busy.

  • Room for everyone: Full fibre can support dozens of connected devices at once, laptops, smart TVs, consoles, security cameras, speakers, all sharing bandwidth smoothly.

  • Future-proof performance: As services move to the cloud and new technologies emerge, full fibre will keep pace without hardware upgrades.


It’s also a greener choice. Fibre cables use less energy to transmit data than copper and require less maintenance, reducing environmental impact over time. Combined with competitive pricing and flexible contracts, full fibre often costs less per megabit than older services. You can browse the latest options on our Full Fibre Broadband Deals.


How is Full Fibre Broadband installed?


Installing full fibre is simpler than many expect. A Hyperoptic engineer will handle everything from running the fibre line to setting up your router. Here’s how it works:


  1. Check availability: Enter your postcode to confirm that your building is covered by the Hyperoptic network. Many modern developments already are.

  2. Engineer visit: The engineer brings the fibre cable into your home through a small, neat entry point, usually the size of a pencil hole.

  3. Install the ONT: A small wall-mounted Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is fitted indoors. It converts the fibre signal so your router can use it.

  4. Router setup and testing: Your Hyperhub router is connected to the ONT and tested to ensure you’re receiving the correct speed. You’ll be online within a couple of hours.


You can help the engineer by deciding where you’d like the router positioned, ideally central to your living area for best Wi-Fi coverage. Once installed, the setup is low-maintenance and built to last.


What do I need to get Full Fibre Broadband?


All you need is a power socket and a property connected to the Hyperoptic network. There’s no phone line required, so the setup is cleaner and simpler than traditional broadband. If your building isn’t yet connected, you can register your interest and we’ll update you as soon as service becomes available.

If you’re comparing packages, our guide to Choosing a Broadband Provider explains what to consider, from contract flexibility and speed to customer support and hidden fees.


I’m interested! How can I get full fibre broadband?


Switching to Hyperoptic is straightforward. Choose a package, schedule your installation, and you’ll be connected in no time. We offer flexible Full Fibre Broadband Deals tailored to how you live:


  • Broadband Only: High-speed internet with no phone line required.

  • Broadband & Phone: Keep a landline if you still use one, powered by fibre for crystal-clear calls.

  • Rolling or Fixed Contracts: Enjoy short-term flexibility or long-term savings, your choice.


All plans feature transparent pricing with no mid-contract price hikes. Once your order is confirmed, an engineer will contact you to arrange installation at a convenient time. In most cases, you’ll be up and running the same day.


The Full Fibre Future


Full fibre broadband is reshaping the UK’s digital landscape. As copper networks are phased out, fibre is becoming the new standard, delivering higher speeds, greater capacity and lower carbon impact. Fibre uses less energy to transmit data, meaning a smaller footprint for every connected household.

At Hyperoptic, we’re expanding our network across cities, towns and new developments nationwide. Each new connection brings communities closer to reliable, high-performance internet built for the next decade. Whether it’s powering home offices, smart buildings or entire developments, full fibre is the foundation everything else will rely on.

Don’t get left behind. Switch to Hyperoptic Full Fibre today and experience broadband as it should be, fast, stable and future-proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

So that we can give you the most relevant information,
please let us know what kind of building you live in.
If you live in an apartment building or block of flats,
please select “I live in an apartment building”.
If you live in a house or a flat within a house, please
select “I live in a house”. If you’re not sure, get in touch.

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