How to Improve Broadband Speed: Complete 2026 Guide

If your broadband is crawling along despite paying for a fast package, you're not alone. Millions of UK households experience speeds well below what their ISP promises. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do about it — starting right now.

This guide covers everything from free quick fixes to serious upgrades like switching to full fibre. We'll also explain the 2025 PSTN switch-off and what it means for your connection.

Understanding Your Broadband Speed

Advertised vs Actual Speeds

In the UK, ISPs advertise speeds as "average" — meaning at least 50% of their customers achieve that speed at peak times. This means your actual speed could legitimately be lower than the headline figure. Ofcom requires providers to give you a minimum guaranteed speed at the point of sale.

If your broadband consistently falls below this minimum speed, you have the right to complain and potentially exit your contract without penalty under Ofcom's voluntary code of practice.

What Connection Type Do You Have?

Your maximum possible speed depends entirely on your connection type. Here's what's available in the UK:

Quick Fixes You Can Do Right Now

1. Restart Your Router

The classic "turn it off and on again" genuinely works. Power off your router, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on. This clears the router's cache, resets its connection to the exchange, and can resolve speed issues caused by memory leaks or stuck processes. Wait 3-5 minutes for it to fully reconnect before testing.

2. Check Your Microfilters and Cables

If you're on ADSL or FTTC broadband, faulty microfilters or damaged cables are a common cause of slow speeds. Check that:

• Every phone socket in use has a microfilter plugged in (or you're using the master socket with a built-in filter)
• The cable from the microfilter to the router is short and undamaged
• You're plugged into the master phone socket (not an extension)
• If you have a master socket with two parts, use the bottom (test) socket for better speeds

3. Reduce Network Congestion

Broadband speeds drop during peak hours (roughly 7pm-11pm) when everyone in your area is streaming, gaming, and browsing. This is especially noticeable on shared infrastructure like Virgin Media's cable network.

Schedule large downloads and updates for off-peak times. Windows updates, game downloads, and cloud backups can all be timed to run overnight. Also check that background apps on phones and tablets aren't hogging bandwidth — cloud photo syncing is a common culprit.

4. Change Your DNS Server

Your ISP's default DNS server might be slow. Switching to a faster DNS provider won't increase your raw download speed, but it can make web pages start loading faster because domain names are resolved more quickly.

Bigger Upgrades for Faster Broadband

5. Upgrade to Full Fibre (FTTP)

If you're still on ADSL or FTTC, upgrading to Full Fibre (FTTP) is the single most impactful change you can make. FTTP runs a fibre optic cable directly to your home, eliminating the copper bottleneck that limits older connections.

Full fibre coverage in the UK has expanded rapidly — as of 2026, approximately 78% of UK homes can get FTTP, with the government targeting 96% by 2027. Major providers include:

• BT / EE — up to 1,800 Mbps in some areas
• Sky — using Openreach FTTP infrastructure
• Hyperoptic — specialising in flats and new builds
• CityFibre — growing network in cities and towns
• Community Fibre — focused on London
• Gigaclear — specialising in rural areas

6. Consider 5G Home Broadband

If full fibre isn't available in your area yet, 5G home broadband can be an excellent alternative. Providers like Three, EE, and Vodafone offer plug-and-play 5G routers that deliver speeds of 100-300 Mbps with no installation required.

The downsides? Speed depends heavily on signal strength and distance from the mast, and latency is typically higher than wired connections. But for households stuck on slow ADSL, it can be transformative.

7. Upgrade Your Router

ISP-provided routers are usually adequate but not exceptional. If you're on a fast fibre connection but aren't seeing those speeds on your devices, your router might be the bottleneck. A quality third-party router with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support can make a significant difference, especially in homes with many connected devices.

Check our Wi-Fi speed improvement guide for detailed router and mesh system recommendations.

Dealing with Your ISP

8. Know Your Rights

UK broadband customers have strong consumer protections. Under Ofcom's voluntary codes, your ISP must:

• Give you a minimum guaranteed speed estimate when you sign up
• Fix speed issues if your connection drops below this minimum
• Let you exit your contract penalty-free if they can't fix the problem within 30 days
• Not lock you into a new contract without clear terms about speed expectations

9. How to Complain Effectively

If your speeds are consistently below what was promised, document the issue before calling:

• Run speed tests at different times of day for at least a week
• Test with a device wired directly into the router to rule out Wi-Fi issues
• Note the dates, times, and speeds achieved
• Compare against your contract's minimum guaranteed speed

If your ISP can't resolve the issue, you can escalate to the Communications Ombudsman(CISAS or Ombudsman Services) for free independent resolution.

10. Switch Providers

Switching broadband providers in the UK is now much easier thanks to the One Touch Switch process. Your new provider handles everything — you don't even need to contact your current ISP. The switch typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Before switching, check what deals are available at your address. Different providers have different infrastructure coverage, so the fastest option at your neighbour's house might not be available at yours.

The 2025 PSTN Switch-Off: What You Need to Know

BT Openreach is switching off the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by December 2025. This means the old copper phone lines that carried ADSL broadband and traditional landline calls are being retired.

What this means for you:

• If you're on ADSL, you'll need to switch to FTTC, FTTP, or an alternative like 5G
• Landline calls will move to VoIP (Voice over IP) — calls through your broadband connection
• Your ISP should contact you about migration options
• This is actually good news — it means newer, faster infrastructure for most households

Project Gigabit: Government Broadband Funding

If you live in a rural or hard-to-reach area, the UK government's Project Gigabit programme aims to bring gigabit-capable broadband to areas that commercial providers haven't reached. The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme offers up to £4,500 for eligible homes and businesses to contribute towards the cost of a full fibre installation.

Check your eligibility at gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk.

Summary: Your Broadband Speed Improvement Checklist