Full fibre, checked 1 October 2026 The network got to your street first. The decision is now yours. Where full fibre stands Why now Full fibre can now reach 82% of UK homes, yet Ofcom said on 28 September 2026 that around half of households with access have yet to sign up. If you're one of them, switching is usually worth a look: in many cases Ofcom says you can pay the same as, or less than, you pay for copper or part-fibre broadband. Two dates make it timely. Openreach is withdrawing copper products in exchanges covering around 15.4 million premises, and the old analogue phone network closes by 31 January 2027. You don't need gigabit speeds to benefit. Check what reaches your address, work out the speed your home needs, and time the move to the end of your contract so you avoid exit charges. Free and independent. Prices vary by address. Key facts, verified 1 October 2026 Who this is for: Anyone who has seen the fibre vans in their street, or had a "full fibre is now available" letter and filed it under later. If you're not sure whether to bother, this is the five-minute answer. Direct answer: In its 28 September 2026 decision on Openreach's offers, Ofcom said around half of households with access to full fibre are yet to sign up. With full fibre reaching 24.9 million homes, that is roughly 12 million homes by our arithmetic, or around 14 million premises once businesses are counted, as our Report No. 29 found. Ofcom made the point while blocking one of Openreach's discount offers to providers. Its concern was competition: with so many households "yet to sign up", it wants rival networks to be able to win those customers fairly. The decision doesn't change anyone's bill directly, but it confirms the opportunity sitting outside millions of front doors. UK homes able to get full fibre, 2020 to 2026 Coverage has more than quadrupled since 2020, but take-up has lagged behind. Ofcom's January 2026 figures put take-up at 47% of premises that can get full fibre. Openreach's own network shows the same pattern: built past 23.4 million premises, but connected to 9.4 million. Our Report No. 29, The 82% Country, has the gap for every council area. Openreach full fibre: built past your door, against actually connected Direct answer: If it reaches your address and you're out of contract or close to the end, it's usually worth comparing now. If you're mid-contract, plan the move for your end date. Even light users may find an entry full fibre tier costs the same as what they pay today. Direct answer: If your package was sold as "fibre" before 2024, it's most likely part-fibre (FTTC), with copper for the last stretch to your home. Your contract summary should now say "full fibre" or "part-fibre" clearly. "Fibre" or full fibre? The difference is the last stretch Part-fibre (FTTC), often sold as "fibre" before 2024 Full fibre (FTTP) This matters because plenty of people think they already have fibre. For years, part-fibre was marketed simply as "fibre". Ofcom's guidance, published in December 2023 and enforced from September 2024, asks providers to describe the technology in plain terms at the point of sale and in your contract summary. Direct answer: Yes, by a wide margin on speed: in July 2024 Ofcom measured average maximum downloads of 406Mbit/s on full fibre against 58Mbit/s on part-fibre. On reliability, Openreach says full fibre has five times fewer faults than copper. Average maximum download speed by technology, Mbit/s Two honest caveats. Evening slowdowns are no longer a big difference: Ofcom found both part-fibre and full fibre held above 99% of their 24-hour average speed between 8pm and 10pm. And Virgin Media's cable network is also gigabit-capable, so if you're on cable you may already have most of the speed benefit. Direct answer: Not necessarily. Ofcom says that in many cases you can switch to full fibre and "pay the same, or less" than you pay for copper or part-fibre. It isn't guaranteed, so compare at your address. What the price evidence actually says Gigabit broadband has fallen sharply in price, from over £60 a month in 2021 to £35 to £45 in 2025 in real terms, according to Ofcom. Entry tiers are lower still: Sky's full fibre, for example, starts from £24 a month for 75Mbps and its new 1.6Gbps tier from £38. Not every price fell, though: Ofcom found cable list prices rose, which is exactly why comparing beats assuming. See the networks and prices that reach your address. Direct answer: Most homes don't. Only 21% of full fibre customers take 900Mbit/s or faster, and a 4K Netflix stream needs 15Mbps. The bigger everyday wins are faster uploads and a steadier line. A busy family streaming, gaming and working from home will notice the difference between part-fibre and a mid-tier full fibre package. Few will notice the jump from 500Mbps to 1.6Gbps. The speed calculator adds up the devices and activities in your home so you can pick a tier with headroom, without overpaying. Direct answer: Copper is being wound down. Openreach has stopped selling copper products in exchanges covering around 15.4 million premises, and the old analogue phone network closes by 31 January 2027. How we got here, and what's next In a stop-sell exchange, Openreach stops selling copper-based products once 75% of premises can get full fibre, so your next switch or upgrade there moves onto full fibre anyway. Choosing the moment yourself, at your contract end date, means you pick the provider, the speed and the price. If you still have an old landline, our household plan for the switch-off covers telecare and power cuts. Direct answer: You order from your new provider, they manage the switch through One Touch Switch, and an engineer fits the fibre and a small box called an ONT. Openreach says installation usually takes around four hours, and you can keep your phone number. What you gain, and what it takes What you gain What it takes Under Ofcom's One Touch Switch rules, you contact the provider you want to move to and they handle the rest, including asking whether you want to keep your number. Any loss of service must not last longer than one working day, or compensation is due, and your old provider must tell you about any charges before you switch. One practical tip: the ONT goes where the fibre enters your home, and your router plugs into it, so that spot decides your Wi-Fi. If the best entry point is in a corner, check your router placement with RouterMap before installation day. Our guide to what changes at home walks through the day itself. Direct answer: You can usually get full fibre, but you'll need your landlord's permission for the installation, and in a block of flats the freeholder may need to agree too. Ask early, because it's the step that most often causes delays. Flats are where the take-up gap is hardest to close. Openreach told Parliament that around 1.04 million premises in multi-dwelling buildings are affected by access problems. The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 gives networks a route through a tribunal where a landlord repeatedly fails to respond, though it doesn't help if a landlord actively refuses. Direct answer: Check what reaches your address, size the speed you need, time the move to your contract, and let the new provider handle the switch. From "it's on my street" to switched, in four steps Check See what full fibre reaches your address, and which networks. Compare at your postcode, because prices and networks vary street by street. Size it Use the speed calculator to find the speed your home uses, so you don't pay for gigabit you won't touch. Time it Check your contract end date. If you're mid-contract, compare the exit charge with what you'd save, or line the switch up for your end date. Switch Order from the new provider and they manage the move through One Touch Switch. Ask to keep your number, book the engineer, and read our guide to what changes at home. Free and independent. Takes about a minute. In summary Adrian's closing thought I'll be honest about my bias: I think most homes that can get full fibre should take it, but not at any price and not at any speed. The best deal is usually the boring one, a sensible speed on a good network, bought at the end of your contract rather than in a panic when the copper goes. What I'd love is for people to stop seeing it as a technical project. It's a morning with an engineer, a new box on the wall, and then you mostly forget about it, which is exactly what good broadband should feel like. Check and choose Full fibre, explained Seen the fibre vans in your street? Send this to a neighbour. You are welcome to quote and link to this article. Please credit BroadbandSwitch.uk and link to this page. In a sentence: Full fibre could reach 24.9 million UK homes (82%) in January 2026, yet on 28 September 2026 Ofcom said around half of households with access had yet to sign up, and Ofcom's own pricing research says that in many cases people can switch to full fibre and pay the same or less than for copper or part-fibre broadband. Probably. Full fibre could reach 82% of UK homes in January 2026, according to Ofcom. Availability is address by address, so check your postcode to see which networks and deals reach you. Ofcom says people may not notice when full fibre arrives, or wait until their contract ends. Some are happy with their current speed, and some live in flats where getting permission is harder. Full fibre (FTTP) runs fibre all the way into your home. Part-fibre (FTTC) uses copper for the last stretch from the street cabinet. Ofcom's guidance says providers should label these clearly rather than calling both "fibre". Not necessarily. Ofcom says that in many cases people can switch to full fibre and pay the same as, or less than, they pay for copper or part-fibre broadband. Prices vary, so compare at your address. Not everyone needs top speeds. Netflix recommends 15Mbps for 4K, and only 21% of full fibre customers take 900Mbit/s or faster. Full fibre still helps with uploads, reliability and the end of copper services. Openreach says installation usually takes around four hours. An engineer runs fibre into your home and fits a small box called an ONT, where your router connects. Usually one small hole through an outside wall. The engineer asks for your permission before drilling. Usually yes, with your landlord's permission for the installation. In blocks of flats the freeholder may also need to agree, and the law gives networks a route to access buildings where landlords don't respond. Yes, you can keep your number. Tell your new provider when you order, and they'll manage the switch through One Touch Switch. It's an Openreach exchange where enough premises can get full fibre that Openreach stops selling copper-based products. Once that happens, switches and upgrades there move onto full fibre. Openreach says full fibre has five times fewer faults than copper, a figure it attributes to the National Infrastructure Commission. Fibre is also less affected by weather and interference. No, because the equipment in your home needs mains power. If you rely on your landline, ask your provider about battery backup, which providers must offer to customers at risk. Written by Adrian James, Broadband Editor at BroadbandSwitch.uk (LinkedIn). Reviewed by Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith, Founder (LinkedIn). Published 1 October 2026. BroadbandSwitch.uk is an independent comparison site. Deals are listed by price, lowest first, and we earn nothing from social tariffs. Corrections are logged publicly.Full fibre is on your street, but half of homes haven't switched. Should you?
What did Ofcom say, and how many homes is that?
Should you switch to full fibre?
Your situation Our suggestion Why Out of contract, full fibre available Compare and switch now Out-of-contract customers pay more on average, and Ofcom says many can pay the same or less on full fibre Contract ends within a few months Line up full fibre for your end date Avoids early exit charges. One Touch Switch lets the new provider manage the move Mid-contract with a long time left Ask your provider about an upgrade An upgrade can start a new minimum term, so check the terms and any exit charges first Still on an old analogue landline Move before 31 January 2027 The analogue network closes, and moving now is on your terms In an Openreach stop-sell exchange Expect full fibre at your next switch or upgrade Openreach stops selling copper products once 75% of an exchange's premises can get full fibre Work from home or upload a lot Make full fibre a priority Part-fibre FTTC tops out at 76Mbps on Openreach, against up to 1,600Mbps on full fibre Light use and happy at 30 to 70Mbps No rush, but check the price Entry full fibre tiers can cost the same or less, so you may get it for no extra cost Renting, or living in a flat Ask your landlord early Installation usually needs permission, and flats may need the freeholder's agreement too Is it "fibre" or full fibre you have now?
Is full fibre faster and more reliable?
Does full fibre cost more?
Do you actually need gigabit speeds?
Activity What it needs Source Netflix in Full HD 5Mbps Netflix Netflix in 4K 15Mbps Netflix Zoom one-to-one call in 720p HD 1.2Mbps up and down Zoom Ofcom's "decent broadband" minimum 10Mbps down, 1Mbps up Ofcom Full fibre customers on 900Mbit/s or faster 21% of them Ofcom, July 2025 Why is now a good time?
What does switching to full fibre involve?
What if you rent or live in a flat?
What should I do now?
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James, A. (2026, October 1). Full fibre is on your street, but half of homes haven't switched. Should you? BroadbandSwitch.uk. https://broadbandswitch.uk/insights/full-fibre-on-your-street-should-you-switch/ Frequently asked questions
Can I get full fibre at my address?
Why haven't more people switched to full fibre?
What's the difference between fibre and full fibre?
Is full fibre more expensive than part-fibre broadband?
Do I need full fibre?
How long does full fibre installation take?
Will installing full fibre need drilling?
Can I get full fibre if I rent?
Will I keep my phone number if I switch to full fibre?
What is a stop-sell exchange?
Is full fibre more reliable?
Will full fibre work in a power cut?
References
Half of homes with full fibre haven't switched. Should you?
Written by Alex Martin-Smith (LinkedIn) • Reviewed by Adrian James (LinkedIn)
Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
Quick summary: Ofcom says around half of homes that can get full fibre haven't switched. Whether you should, what it costs, and the stop-sell and January 2027 dates.
UK homes that can get it
82% 24.9 million, January 2026
Homes with access not yet signed up
About half says Ofcom
Premises with it available and unused
14m our Report No. 29
Premises in Openreach stop-sell exchanges
15.4m by 20 August 2026
Old analogue phone network closes
31 Jan 2027
Gigabit broadband in 2025, real terms
£35 to £45 a month, from £60+
Check full fibre at your postcode
Sep 2020
18%
May 2023
52%
Jan 2024
62%
Jul 2024
69%
Jan 2025
74%
Jul 2025
78%
Jan 2026
82%
Premises passed by Openreach full fibre
23.4m
Premises connected to it
9.4m
Exchange
→
Fibre to the street cabinet
→
Copper wire to your home
→
Your router
Exchange
→
Fibre along the street
→
Fibre into your home (ONT box)
→
Your router
ADSL (copper)
14.8
FTTC (part-fibre)
58
Cable
437
FTTP (full fibre)
406
Same or less
Ofcom: in many cases full fibre costs the same as, or less than, copper or part-fibre
£35 to £45
a month for gigabit in September 2025, from over £60 in 2021, in real terms
6%
average real-terms fall in broadband prices in the year to September 2025
£7 to £9
a month less paid by customers who are in contract
£12.50 to £24
a month for a broadband social tariff, if you're on certain benefits
Compare full fibre deals at your postcode
Dec 2023
Ofcom publishes guidance: say "full fibre" or "part-fibre", not "fibre" alone.
Sep 2024
Ofcom starts enforcing the clearer labels (reported by ISPreview).
Jan 2026
Full fibre can reach 82% of UK homes, 24.9 million.
30 Jun 2026
Openreach passes 23.4 million premises with 9.4 million connected.
20 Aug 2026
Around 15.4 million premises in Openreach stop-sell exchanges.
Sep 2026
Sky launches 1.6Gbps full fibre on Openreach, from £38 a month.
28 Sep 2026
Ofcom notes around half of households with access haven't signed up.
31 Jan 2027
The old analogue phone network closes.
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