Broadband Speed in Birmingham
Broadband Speed in Birmingham
Fastest broadband in Birmingham
We've compiled all the information you could ever need to know about broadband in Birmingham using the postcode B12 9AH. This postcode is representative of one of the fastest areas for broadband in Birmingham.
Check my broadband speed in Birmingham
Now you know more about broadband in Birmingham you can check if your connection is up to scratch by running a speed test.
Use our fast and accurate speed test to check what speeds you're getting in Birmingham.
It's possible the speed test will display results which differ from the advertised speed of your broadband package.
Many factors come into play when looking at speed test readings including: peak time usage, provider issues, router issues, computer viruses and property location.
Broadband providers are obliged to advertise their average speeds which at least 50% of their customers receive. Unfortunately, if you're receiving speeds below the advertised, it's likely that your property is only capable of receiving below average speeds.
What is a good speed for broadband?
Faster broadband speed can play a huge role in our day to day life. It's important to have an understanding of what the speeds you see advertised by broadband providers for Birmingham convert to in the real world.
Generally, the more people using the internet, the slower your connection will become. However, this isn't a hard and fast rule and does depend on how many devices are connected to the internet at any one time. Let's compare broadband speeds:
10-24Mbps
This speed will suffice for smaller households with few devices simultaneously connected. Occasional buffering may occur during streaming.
25-49Mbps
This is the ideal speed for a standard household. It can cope with multiple people streaming or downloading at any given time. This bracket is likely to offer affordable prices and a suitably fast connection.
50-100Mbps
This final speed bracket is worth considering for households looking for lag-free connections for several devices. 50-100Mbps is a brilliant broadband option for streaming 4K and shouldn't encounter any connection issues when gaming online.
100Mbps +
Broadband above 100Mbps will provide fast speeds for any household and cope easily with streaming and gaming. Speeds above 300Mbps are classified as Ultrafast connections. Ultrafast broadband is not necessary for the majority of UK households however, the incredibly fast speeds can prove tempting for those who rely heavily on their broadband speeds. Gigabit (1000Mbps) connections are also now becoming increasingly common across the UK with speeds above 1Gbps. These types of speeds eclipse older broadband technology.
But how fast is 100Mbps broadband?
Here's what these speeds would look like to download a two-hour movie in HD.
Best broadband deals in Birmingham
Now you know the speeds you're getting and the speeds you need, you can check out our best broadband deals in Birmingham.
Broadband deals are location-dependent and not every fast deal you find online will be available where you live. Broadband in Birmingham is no exception so it's key to use a broadband search tool that is able to find broadband providers and deals at an address-level accuracy.
Our comparison tool has found the best deals for broadband in Birmingham.
Which broadband providers are available in Birmingham?
Enter your postcode to find the best deals in your area
Check the best broadband deals for your precise address.
Everything else you might need to know
Now you've got all the information you could ever need to know about broadband in Birmingham, we've compiled some helpful information to help you understand your Birmingham based broadband better.
Technology Breakdown
ADSL (Standard)
A popular variety of broadband that uses your pre-existing phone line. No more than a phone line is required to install an ADSL connection. This form of connection is practical and commonplace across the UK however, rural homes may encounter restrictions. ADSL broadband is the least expensive option which will likely be reflected in connection speed.
Fibre (FTTC or FTTP)
Fibre optic connections are designed to be exceptionally fast and stable. This is often the preferred choice for busy homes with lots of connected devices that need fibre speeds. Like ADSL, fibre optic connections are accessible across the UK however rural houses might experience difficulties. The two forms of fibre broadband packages are known as fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premises (FTTP).
Unlimited
Just as it sounds - unlimited broadband connections have no cap on the amount of data you can use.
An unlimited broadband package makes sure that you can never use too much data however will cost more as a result.
Cable
While fibre broadband is offered by many ISPs to provide superfast and ultrafast broadband speeds, cable broadband is something specific to certain providers such as Virgin Media broadband who run on their own network.
Satellite
Regularly selected as an alternative to ADSL or cable for rural houses. Unsurprisingly, you'll require a physical satellite dish in place in order to have a satellite broadband connection. The price of satellite internet tends to be greater than fixed line broadband.
Advertised vs Actual Speeds
The way in which broadband speeds are advertised changed drastically in May 2018. Thanks to the Advertising Standards Authority, broadband providers must now advertise their 'average' speed instead of their 'up to' speed.
In simpler terms, your speed is now more likely to match or maybe exceed the advertised broadband speed than it was a few years ago. In order to be referred to as 'average', more than 50% of users should get these speeds between peak usage hours (8 pm to 10 pm).
Broadband providers can also still promote their top speeds in addition to their average speeds. However, remember that these speeds are unlikely to match the speed you would get if you sign up for that particular plan or provider. Top speeds are just available to a select few.
There is no assurance that you will get the advertised average speed so it is well worth checking out what the minimum speed provisions are.
If, for whatever reason, your speeds do not stack up to this minimum speed, you may be eligible for refund or a cost-free cancellation. Ensure to read through contracts with care. This will provide you the best indication of what your broadband speed is most likely to be and will provide data on your minimum expectations.
Broadband Glossary
The world of broadband can be overwhelming at times so we've created an useful glossary of commonly used terms that you might come across when looking for a broadband package.
4G
The 4th generation of mobile tech offering enhanced mobile connections speeds on its predecessor 3G. 4G mobile broadband deals are available in most major towns and cities with pay month-to-month or pay as you go options.
5G
The most advanced version of mobile tech presently available. Again, faster than its previous version (4G) and with pay monthly or pay as you go options. 5G mobile broadband deals were first introduced in the UK in 2019.
Bandwidth
The capacity of a broadband connection. Things that use a lot of bandwidth are using a lot of your broadband data transfer capacity. This, in turn, can slow down other activities that need the use of your broadband connection.
Byte, KB, MB, GB
A byte is a unit of data. KB means 'kilobyte' which is equivalent to 1000 bytes. MB stands for 'megabyte' which is equivalent to 1000 KB. GB means 'gigabyte' which is equivalent to 1000 MB.
Broadband
A high-speed internet connection. What constitutes 'high-speed' differs from country to country.
Capping
A cap enforced by a broadband provider. Used to either describe a data limit or when discussing throttling. Exceeding your cap can result in additional charges.
Dial-up Internet
An internet connection that utilises a modem. Mainly only used outside the UK as broadband has made this technology dated. Connection speeds are significantly slower with dial-up internet.
Download Speed
The speed at which your internet connection is able to receive data. This figure is heavily advertised by internet service providers on their broadband deals. This speed will be shown in one of three ways - kilobits per second (Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps), or gigabits per second (Gbps).
Ethernet
A wired connection supported by household broadband routers. Ethernet cables are often yellow and are believed to be more dependable than a Wi-Fi connection. They have fast connection speeds and are normally the connection of choice for online gamers.
FUP
Fair use policy. A data cap put in place by the broadband provider. Not all plans will have one and those that do need to make their limitations clear thanks to Advertising Standards Authority regulations.
Fibre Optic Broadband
A data transferal approach utilising pulses of light transmitted across plastic/glass cables. Ultrafast fibre broadband is slowly becoming the dominant type of connection in the UK as outdated copper wiring is replaced. Fibre optic broadband speeds differ depending on kind of connection with fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) being slower than fibre to the premises (FTTP).
File Sharing
A way of distributing files such as images, music, videos, and software. Can be carried out peer-to-peer (P2P) or through a network. Often associated with piracy but not fundamentally illegitimate.
Fixed Line Broadband
Internet delivered by means of a physical link like fibre optic cables or ADSL. Often used to distinguish between fixed line broadband and wireless mobile broadband or satellite internet.
IP Address
Internet protocol address. A sequence of digits that helps determine the location of a connected internet device. Household broadband connections typically have a dynamic IP address that can change, whereas companies frequently use static IP addresses assigned to them.
ISP
Your internet service provider (ISP) is the organisation that provides you with your internet connection. This is not necessarily the same company that runs existing infrastructure. Here are eight of the biggest ISPs in the UK: BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Now, Plusnet, Vodafone, John Lewis Broadband and TalkTalk.
LAN
Local area network. A network that covers a small area like a house or building. LANs tend to utilise network cables or Wi-Fi.
Landline
A telephone line that comes into your house. Often needed to get broadband but alternatives such as mobile broadband and satellite internet are sometimes available.
Latency
The reaction speed of a network connection. Simply put, the time required to send data and get a reply. Slow latency results in 'lag' which is an issue in online gaming. This issue most often happens when using a satellite connection.
Malware
Amalgamation of the words 'malicious software'. A term for applications which cause harm to a device included viruses, adware, trojans, and spyware.
Mobile Broadband
Internet access achieved through mobile network signals instead of fixed lines.
Modem
Modulator-demodulator. A device that helps communication from computer to computer. Data is transformed into transmissible forms and transformed back at the receiving end.
Network
Several computers connected to one another in order to facilitate data sharing.
Peak Time
In regards to broadband, peak time describes the busiest time of internet use. This typically falls in between the hours of 5 pm and 11 pm, specifically 8 pm to 10 pm. Definitions of peak time can vary slightly.
Router
Also typically described as a 'hub'. A device typically responsible for enabling successful internet connections within a home. Routers direct the traffic on a given network.
Streaming
Accessing and viewing visual or audio media without saving any files on your device. Streaming provides quick and responsive accessibility without the requirement to download. However, this needs a minimum connection speed to access the media.
Superfast
A 'superfast' broadband connection must be over 24Mb+ according to EU standard. As a result, this does not consist of ADSL connections or any mobile tech before 4G. Fibre optic, cable broadband, satellite internet, and mobile tech after 4G is likely to be considered superfast.
Throttling
The term used when broadband providers intentionally slow down an internet connection. This is most likely to occur throughout peak times for clients who have exceeded their usage cap.
Traffic
The term used for a busy network where a lot of data is being transferred. When networks are at their busiest (peak time), traffic management might be used to prioritise bandwidth use.
Ultrafast
Extremely fast broadband defined by Ofcom as a connection speed of 300Mb or more.
Upload Speed
The speed at which your computer sends out data using your broadband connection. Upload speeds are considerably lower than download speeds.
VPN
Virtual private network. A service that uses encryption to protect your activity from hackers. VPNs also have the extra advantage of covering your online identity and hiding your IP address. VPNs are recommended when using insecure networks such as public access networks.
Wi-Fi
The term used for connecting devices using radio waves. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are typically available in places like hotels, restaurants, and airports.