Broadband
Broadband is a high-speed internet connection. 30 years ago, internet access was achieved through slow dial-up connections. However, technology has evolved, and broadband now provides significantly faster speeds, enabling a broader range of online activities.
Since 2013, Superfast Broadband coverage in Oxfordshire has seen remarkable progress. When our programme was launched in 2012 the availability of Superfast Broadband (30Mb/s+) was just 69% coverage. With our Better Broadband for Oxfordshire project delivering access to nearly 100,000 premises and with further commercial investment by broadband suppliers, this is now over 98% in Oxfordshire. Over the same period, average broadband speeds have experienced a substantial leap. They have risen from 16 Mbps to 78 Mbps.
There are currently three types of fixed broadband connectivity alongside the Virgin Media Docsis network in the UK:
Explore our coverage map
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
What Is ADSL?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Broadband uses the legacy Copper Access Network from the exchange to your property. ADSL is the most basic type of broadband connection in the UK. It operates through a standard copper phone line, which has been the backbone of telecommunication for decades. ADSL allows data to travel alongside voice calls without disrupting your phone service.
On average, ADSL offers download speeds of around 10 Mbps. However, this can vary based on factors like the age and quality of the copper wires and most importantly the distance from the serving exchange.
Transition to Fibre
By 2010, Openreach had begun a rollout of Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) infrastructure. As the name suggests this is a hybrid solution where fibre replaces copper for data transmission between exchanges and streetside cabinets from where the path to the home remains on the copper telephone lines. prioritise faster fibre connections.
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC)
What Is FTTC?
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), also known as Superfast Broadband or Fibre Enabled Broadband, bridges the gap between traditional copper-based connections and full-fibre solutions.
FTTC involves a combination of fibre-optic and copper cables. Fibre-optic cables run from the telephone exchange to a street cabinet (the “cabinet”) near your home. From the cabinet, traditional copper wires complete the connection to your premises. FTTC offers faster speeds than older ADSL connections. You can expect typical download speeds of up to 80 Mbps. However, keep in mind that the actual speed depends on your distance from the cabinet (unlike ADSL where the dependency is distance from the serving exchange). Homes closer to the serving cabinet generally experience faster speeds.
There is also a variant of FTTC known as G.fast in some areas. This uses new hardware in the streetside cabinets to boost speeds to 300Mbs for premises close to the serving cabinets.
While FTTC provides a significant speed boost compared to ADSL, it is important to weigh your options.
- Check with Your ISP: Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer Superfast Broadband services. Reach out to your existing supplier to explore available packages.
- Broadband Comparison Sites: Consider using broadband comparison websites to find the best package for your needs.
Before making any changes, review your existing broadband contract. Check the end date to avoid unexpected charges. If you’re looking for faster speeds or considering a switch, explore other options like FTTP for even better performance.
Full Fibre / Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) / Fibre to the Home (FTTH)
What Is FTTP?
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is a broadband technology that ensures a seamless and lightning-fast internet experience. With FTTP, you get a 100% fibre-optic connection from the telephone exchange to your home or business. Unlike other broadband types that rely on copper wires, FTTP doesn’t rely on copper, ensuring consistent speeds.
As standard, FTTP offers impressive download speeds of up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) which is approximately fifteen times faster than the current average broadband speed in the UK. To put it into perspective, you can download a high-definition film in less than a minute with gigabit speeds. In fact, some suppliers are already offering services up to 10Gbps and beyond.
There is significant investment by telecoms/fibre broadband suppliers in building FTTP infrastructure and increasingly Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are recognising the value of FTTP and it’s becoming increasingly available across the UK.
If you’re curious about FTTP availability, reach out to your existing ISP. They’ll let you know if they offer FTTP services. If not, consider exploring other providers.
Before making any changes, check your existing broadband contract. Check the end date to avoid unexpected charges.
DOCSIS 3.1
DOCSIS 3.1 is Virgin media’s coax cable network. It provides high-quality internet access over hybrid fibre coax (HFC) networks. With the 3.1 upgrade, Virgin Media’s cable network now offers download speeds of up to 1Gb/s (gigabits per second).
Find out more at Virgin Media’s website.
Various commercial suppliers have network coverage within Oxfordshire and are working to expand their networks. To find out which services and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are available within your area, please visit the supplier websites using the links below:
Various commercial suppliers have network coverage within Oxfordshire and are working to expand their networks. To find out which services and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are available within your area, please visit the supplier websites using the links below:
