ADSL broadband deals: compare UK ADSL at your postcode
ADSL is the oldest UK broadband technology still sold today. For a narrowing set of households it remains the only practical fixed-line option. For most it has been overtaken by FTTC, FTTP, and 4G/5G home broadband at similar prices. This page helps you decide honestly whether ADSL is right for your address, or whether one of the better alternatives is within reach.
The six things to know first
Pure copper, no fibre
ADSL uses the copper telephone line from the exchange to your home. No fibre optic at any stage. This is the key reason it is slower than FTTC or FTTP.
5 to 24 Mbps download
The advertised ceiling is "up to 24 Mbps" but most UK ADSL lines deliver 5 to 17 Mbps in practice. Upload is much lower, typically 0.5 to 1 Mbps.
Rarely cheaper than FTTC
ADSL is often not meaningfully cheaper than entry FTTC. A typical £25 to £32 per month sits close to FTTC pricing that delivers far more speed. Check both before ordering.
Social tariffs are usually FTTC
If budget is the reason you are considering ADSL, a social tariff may give you faster broadband for less money. Eligibility depends on benefits received.
Being phased out gradually
The UK copper network is being withdrawn as FTTP rolls out. PSTN voice ends 31 January 2027; ADSL broadband is following behind. Not urgent today, but plan your upgrade path.
Check 4G/5G before ordering
Where fibre has not reached, a 4G or 5G home broadband box often beats ADSL on speed and is similarly priced. Check mast coverage at your postcode first.
Compare ADSL broadband at your postcode
See live ADSL deals at your address. If a faster alternative is available, we will show that too so you can compare both on price.
Enter your postcode →What ADSL actually is
ADSL stands for "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line". It is the UK's original broadband technology, first rolled out widely in the early 2000s. ADSL uses the existing copper telephone line all the way from your home to the telephone exchange; no fibre optic is involved anywhere in the chain.
The "asymmetric" part of the name refers to the uneven split between download and upload speeds. A typical ADSL line offers 10 to 20 times more download capacity than upload. In practice, this means you can browse and stream reasonably well on ADSL, but uploading a large file, running a smooth video call, or using cloud backup is noticeably limited.
ADSL was superseded by FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) from around 2010 onward, which upgraded the exchange-to-cabinet leg to fibre while keeping the familiar copper line from the cabinet to the home. FTTC delivers 3 to 8 times more speed on the same physical phone line. It is the most common successor technology for households who have moved on from ADSL.
Should you be looking at ADSL in 2026?
For most UK households, the honest answer is "probably not". This five-question decision flow will help you sort your situation in under a minute.
The five-question ADSL check
Answer each in turn. The right path reveals itself.
Typical ADSL speeds in the UK
ADSL speeds depend on distance from the telephone exchange and the condition of the copper line. Two otherwise identical homes can see significantly different speeds on the same product.
| Line distance from exchange | Typical download | Typical upload | Reasonable use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short · up to 1.5 km | 15 to 20 Mbps | 0.8 to 1.2 Mbps | Browsing, SD streaming, 1 user |
| Mid · 1.5 to 3 km | 8 to 14 Mbps | 0.5 to 0.9 Mbps | Browsing, SD streaming with buffering |
| Long · 3 km+ | 3 to 7 Mbps | 0.3 to 0.5 Mbps | Basic browsing, email, voice calls |
These figures reflect the established relationship between ADSL speed and line distance. Your provider will give an estimated speed range for your exact address at checkout.
Your alternatives at a similar price
At the typical £25 to £32 monthly budget that ADSL occupies, you usually have meaningfully better options. Check each of these in order at your postcode.
Entry FTTP (full fibre)
Full fibre entry plans from altnets start at £22 to £28 per month for 100+ Mbps. That is 5 to 20 times faster than ADSL for the same monthly spend. Check availability first. See FTTP deals.
Entry FTTC (part fibre)
FTTC entry tiers typically sit at £22 to £28 per month for 30 to 38 Mbps. Available in most UK addresses and 3 to 8 times faster than ADSL at similar cost. See FTTC deals.
4G or 5G home broadband
Where fixed-line options are weak, a 4G or 5G home broadband router often delivers 30 to 150 Mbps for £20 to £30 per month. Depends entirely on local mast coverage. See 4G and 5G home broadband.
Social tariff
Social tariffs for qualifying households start at £15 to £20 per month, usually on FTTC. Check Ofcom's current list (Ofcom, n.d.) or our social tariffs guide.
The UK copper withdrawal and what it means
The UK's copper telephone network is being gradually retired as the full-fibre rollout progresses. This affects ADSL directly, because ADSL runs on exactly the same copper pair that is being withdrawn. There are two separate programmes worth understanding.
PSTN switch-off · 31 January 2027
The old copper voice network (PSTN) is being switched off on 31 January 2027. Your home phone moves to Digital Voice, which uses broadband. ADSL broadband itself is technically separate and is not switched off on that date, but the wider copper withdrawal continues.
Copper broadband retirement (rolling)
Openreach is withdrawing copper broadband in phases as FTTP reaches each area. New ADSL orders are stopped at exchanges where FTTP is fully deployed. Existing lines are migrated to fibre ahead of final copper decommissioning. Timeframes vary by area.
For most ADSL households today, nothing urgent is needed. Your provider will contact you before any migration. But if you are currently on ADSL by choice rather than necessity, it is worth planning your next broadband move now rather than after it is forced.
Live ADSL deals at your postcode
At most UK addresses, the full comparison will show FTTC, FTTP, or 4G/5G alternatives at similar or lower prices. Always sense-check ADSL against those options before ordering.
ADSL broadband: frequently asked questions
What does ADSL stand for?
ADSL stands for "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line". It is the original UK consumer broadband technology and uses the existing copper telephone line all the way from your home to the exchange. No fibre optic is involved. The "asymmetric" part refers to the uneven download and upload speeds: ADSL gives you much more download than upload, typically 10 to 20 times more.
What speeds can I expect on ADSL?
Speeds depend on how far your home is from the telephone exchange. A short line (under 1.5km) typically delivers 15 to 20 Mbps download. A mid-distance line (1.5 to 3km) usually gives 8 to 14 Mbps. A long line (3km or more) can drop to 3 to 7 Mbps. Upload is consistently slow: 0.5 to 1 Mbps on most lines. Your provider will give an estimated speed range for your exact address at checkout.
Is ADSL usually cheaper than FTTC?
Not meaningfully. ADSL typically costs £25 to £32 per month; entry FTTC typically costs £22 to £28 per month. FTTC is often the same price or only £2 to £5 more, and is 3 to 8 times faster. The "ADSL is the cheap option" assumption is usually wrong in 2026. Always compare both at your exact address before ordering.
Does ADSL stop working when PSTN is switched off in January 2027?
The PSTN switch-off specifically affects the old copper voice network, not broadband signals. Your ADSL line is technically separate from PSTN voice, and does not stop working on 31 January 2027 just because PSTN does. However, the UK is running a broader copper withdrawal programme alongside PSTN retirement. Openreach is gradually retiring copper broadband as FTTP reaches each area. Your provider will contact you in advance of any migration.
Can I still get new ADSL orders accepted?
Yes, in most UK areas, but not everywhere. New ADSL orders have been stopped at exchanges where Openreach has fully deployed FTTP and is ready to decommission copper there. In those areas you can still take FTTC or FTTP but not fresh ADSL. Check your postcode for current availability via our comparison tool.
When should I still choose ADSL?
The honest answer is: rarely. ADSL still makes sense if you have checked FTTC, FTTP, 4G/5G home broadband and social tariffs at your exact address, and none of them is a better deal. This situation does exist in some rural or hard-to-reach UK areas, but it has become uncommon. Our rural broadband guide covers the specific scenarios in more depth.
Will ADSL support video calls?
Often poorly. A typical ADSL upload speed of 0.5 to 1 Mbps is below what most video call platforms recommend for stable HD calls (1.5 to 2 Mbps upload). One-to-one voice calls are usually fine; HD video and group calls often struggle. If you work from home or take regular video calls, ADSL is the weakest fixed-line option on this point. FTTC doubles or triples the upload ceiling and is usually a similar price.
Can I use One Touch Switch to move off ADSL?
Yes. One Touch Switch (Ofcom, 2024b) handles the move from ADSL to a new technology (FTTC, FTTP, cable) in a single step without a service gap. Where the new connection requires an engineer install, One Touch Switch still applies but with an install date added. See our One Touch Switch guide.
References
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Ofcom
Ofcom. (2024, July 19). Ofcom bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation. ofcom.org.uk
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Ofcom
Ofcom. (2024, September 12). Simpler and quicker broadband switching is here. ofcom.org.uk
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Ofcom
Ofcom. (n.d.). Social tariffs: cheaper broadband and phone packages. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from ofcom.org.uk
Not sure ADSL is right for you?
Run a full postcode comparison instead. We will show ADSL alongside FTTC, FTTP and 4G/5G so you can compare on price and speed together.
See all options at your postcode →First published 24 March 2026 · Last updated 23 April 2026 · Last reviewed 23 April 2026