If you’ve been shopping around for broadband, you’ve probably seen “full fibre” everywhere — but what does it mean, and is it worth switching to?
Full fibre (FTTP — Fibre to the Premises) means the fibre optic cable runs all the way from the exchange into your home, with no copper wiring involved. This is different from standard “fibre broadband” (FTTC), where fibre only reaches the green cabinet on your street — the final stretch to your house still uses old copper telephone wiring, which is where speed gets lost.
Why it’s faster: Fibre transmits data as light rather than electrical signals, so speeds don’t drop off with distance the way copper does, and it isn’t affected by electrical interference or peak-hour congestion.
Who needs it: Households with multiple people working from home, 4K streaming on several devices, online gamers, or anyone tired of evening slowdowns.
Cost: Full fibre pricing has become far more competitive — Merula packages start from £31.49/month with no joining fees and a free router included.
Switching process: Check coverage by postcode → choose a package → book an install (usually 5–10 working days) → your existing broadband stays live until the new line goes live.
Is full fibre the same as fibre broadband?
Not always — “fibre broadband” often means FTTC, which still uses copper for the last stretch.
How fast is it?
Typically 40 Mbps up to 900+ Mbps depending on package.
Does it cost more?
Not necessarily — competitive full fibre now starts under £32/month.