Fibre Broadband Explained: FTTC vs FTTP and What It Means for You
Not all fibre broadband is the same. Here is the difference between fibre to the cabinet and fibre to the premises, and what speeds you can actually get.
FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) gives speeds up to 80 Mbps - the fibre stops at the green box down your street, then copper wires go to your house. FTTP (fibre to the premises) delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps because fibre goes all the way into your home. FTTP is faster and more reliable, but not available everywhere yet.
When providers say “fibre broadband”, they might mean two very different things. Understanding the difference helps you know what speeds are actually possible at your address.
The Two Types of Fibre
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)
Fibre optic cables run from the telephone exchange to a green cabinet in your street. From there, old copper telephone wires carry the signal to your home.
Because copper is slower than fibre, your speed depends on how far you live from that cabinet. The closer you are, the faster your connection.
Maximum speeds: Around 80 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload
Availability: Covers about 96% of UK premises
Also known as: Superfast broadband, VDSL
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)
Fibre optic cables run all the way from the exchange into your home. No copper involved. This gives much faster, more consistent speeds.
Maximum speeds: 1 Gbps or higher (depends on your package)
Availability: Covers about 82% of UK premises and growing rapidly
Also known as: Full fibre, ultrafast broadband, FTTH (fibre to the home)
Speed Comparison
| Connection Type | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ADSL | 10-17 Mbps | 1 Mbps | Variable |
| FTTC | 35-80 Mbps | 10-20 Mbps | Variable based on distance |
| FTTP | 100-1000+ Mbps | 50-1000+ Mbps | Consistent |
The big difference with FTTP is that distance doesn’t matter. Whether you’re 10 metres or 10 kilometres from the exchange, you get the same speed.
How to Check What’s Available
Go to your provider’s website or use Openreach’s checker. Enter your postcode and you’ll see:
- Whether FTTP is available at your address
- What FTTC speeds you can get
- Which providers offer service to your area
If you’re in a Virgin Media area, they use their own cable network which offers speeds similar to FTTP.
Different providers offer FTTP:
- BT/EE
- Sky
- TalkTalk
- Vodafone
- Zen
- Smaller local providers
Installation Differences
FTTC installation:
- Usually just plug in a new router
- Uses existing phone line
- Takes a few days to go live
- Rarely needs engineer visit
FTTP installation:
- Engineer runs fibre cable to your property
- Small box installed on outside wall or inside
- Takes 1-2 hours
- Appointment required
The FTTP install involves drilling a small hole or running cable through existing ducts. If you’re renting, check with your landlord first.
Is FTTP Worth the Extra Cost?
FTTP packages usually cost £5-£15 more per month than FTTC for comparable-tier speeds. Whether that’s worth it depends on your situation.
FTTP makes sense if:
- Multiple people work from home
- You stream 4K content on several devices
- You upload large files regularly
- Reliability matters more than saving a few pounds
FTTC is probably fine if:
- Light usage (browsing, email, some streaming)
- One or two people in the household
- Budget is tight
- 50-80 Mbps meets your needs
The average household currently uses around 400-500 GB per month. Both FTTC and FTTP handle this fine. FTTP’s advantage is headroom for future use and better reliability.
Common Questions
Is my fibre real fibre? Check your router location. If it plugs into a phone socket, you probably have FTTC. If there’s a separate small box on the wall with a fibre cable going into it, you have FTTP.
Why can’t I get FTTP? Rollout takes time. Openreach and other providers are building the network area by area. Some areas have planning restrictions or difficult terrain that slows things down.
Should I wait for FTTP? If FTTC speeds meet your needs, no. FTTP rollout could take years in some areas. Sign up for what’s available now; you can upgrade later.
Does FTTP need a phone line? No. FTTP is internet-only. You don’t need to pay for a landline you don’t use.
What about upload speeds? FTTP often offers symmetric speeds (same upload as download) or at least much faster uploads than FTTC. Good for video calls and cloud backups.
Future Proofing
FTTP connections can theoretically support speeds of 10 Gbps or more. The fibre itself isn’t the limit - the equipment on each end is. As that equipment improves, your connection can get faster without laying new cables.
FTTC is essentially maxed out. The copper part of the connection can’t go much faster than current speeds.
If you’re in a house you’ll stay in for years, FTTP is the better long-term choice. If you’re renting short-term, FTTC does the job without installation complexity.