Broadband Speed in West Berkshire
Broadband Speed in West Berkshire
Fastest broadband in West Berkshire
We've compiled all the information you could ever need to know about broadband in West Berkshire using the postcode RG8 9NN. This postcode is representative of one of the fastest areas for broadband in West Berkshire.
Check my broadband speed in West Berkshire
Now you know more about broadband in West Berkshire 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 West Berkshire.
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 West Berkshire 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 West Berkshire
Now you know the speeds you're getting and the speeds you need, you can check out our best broadband deals in West Berkshire.
Broadband deals are location-dependent and not every fast deal you find online will be available where you live. Broadband in West Berkshire 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 West Berkshire.
Which broadband providers are available in West Berkshire?
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 West Berkshire, we've compiled some helpful information to help you understand your West Berkshire 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 type of connection is practical and commonplace across the UK however, rural homes might face limitations. ADSL broadband is the least expensive option but this will likely be reflected in connection speed.
Fibre (FTTC or FTTP)
Fibre optic connections are designed to be incredibly fast and stable. This is commonly the preferred choice for busy households with numerous connected devices that require fibre speeds. Like ADSL, fibre optic connections are accessible throughout the nation however rural houses may experience difficulties. The two forms of fibre broadband plans 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 deal guarantees that you can never use too much data but will cost more as a result.
Cable
While fibre broadband is offered by many ISPs to deliver superfast and ultrafast broadband speeds, cable broadband is something specific to key providers such as Virgin Media broadband who run on their own network.
Satellite
Regularly selected as an alternative to ADSL or cable for rural households. Unsurprisingly, you'll need to have a physical satellite dish set up in order to have a satellite broadband connection. The cost of satellite internet tends to be higher than fixed line broadband.
Advertised vs Real Speeds
The way in which broadband speeds are advertised changed considerably in May 2018. Thanks to the Advertising Standards Authority, broadband providers must now market their 'average' speed rather than their 'up to' speed.
In simpler terms, your speed is now more likely to match or maybe surpass the advertised broadband speed than it was a couple of years ago. In order to be regarded as 'average', more than 50% of users have to get these speeds in 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, keep in mind that these speeds are unlikely to match the speed you would get should you sign up for that particular package or provider. Top speeds are only available to a select few.
There is no guarantee 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 money back or a cost-free cancellation. Make certain to review contracts with care. This will provide you the best indication of what your broadband speed is likely to be and will provide information on your minimum expectations.
Broadband Glossary
The world of broadband can be overwhelming sometimes so we've created an useful glossary of regularly used terms that you may come across when searching for a broadband deal.
4G
The 4th generation of mobile tech offering improved mobile connections speeds on its predecessor 3G. 4G mobile broadband deals are offered in the majority of major towns and cities with pay month-to-month or pay as you go options.
5G
The most advanced variation 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 launched in the UK in 2019.
Bandwidth
The capacity of a broadband connection. Things that utilise a great deal 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 stands for 'kilobyte' which is equivalent to 1000 bytes. MB stands for 'megabyte' which is equal to 1000 KB. GB means 'gigabyte' which is equal 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. Surpassing your cap can lead to added fees.
Dial-up Internet
An internet connection that uses a modem. Mostly only used outside the UK as broadband has made this technology dated. Connection speeds are considerably slower with dial-up internet.
Download Speed
The speed at which your internet connection is able to receive data. This figure is greatly advertised by internet service providers on their broadband deals. This speed will be displayed 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 thought to be more dependable than a Wi-Fi connection. They have fast connection speeds and are usually the connection of choice for online gamers.
FUP
Fair use policy. A data cap put in place by the broadband provider. Not all packages will have one and those that do have to make their limitations clear thanks to Advertising Standards Authority regulations.
Fibre Optic Broadband
A data transferal approach using pulses of light transmitted across plastic/glass cables. Ultrafast fibre broadband is slowly becoming the dominant form of connection in the UK as outdated copper wiring is replaced. Fibre optic broadband speeds differ depending on type of connection with fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) being slower than fibre to the premises (FTTP).
File Sharing
A method of distributing files such as images, music, videos, and software. Can be conducted peer-to-peer (P2P) or through a network. Sometimes associated with piracy but not fundamentally illegitimate.
Fixed Line Broadband
Internet delivered through 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 series of digits that helps identify the location of a connected internet device. Household broadband connections usually have a dynamic IP address that can change, whereas companies frequently use static IP addresses designated to them.
ISP
Your internet service provider (ISP) is the organisation that provides you with your internet connection. This is not always 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 use network cables or Wi-Fi.
Landline
A telephone line that comes into your property. Typically needed to get broadband but alternatives such as mobile broadband and satellite internet are in some cases 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 usually happens when utilising a satellite connection.
Malware
Amalgamation of the words 'malicious software'. A term for applications which cause harm to a device consisted of viruses, adware, trojans, and spyware.
Mobile Broadband
Internet access acquired through mobile network signals instead of fixed lines.
Modem
Modulator-demodulator. A device that helps communication from computer to computer. Data is converted into transmissible forms and transformed back at the receiving end.
Network
Multiple computers connected to one another in order to facilitate data sharing.
Peak Time
In terms of 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 gadget frequently responsible for allowing 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 offers 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 prior to 4G. Fibre optic, cable broadband, satellite internet, and mobile tech after 4G is most likely to be regarded as superfast.
Throttling
The term used when broadband providers deliberately slow down an internet connection. This is likely to happen during peak times for clients who have exceeded their usage cap.
Traffic
The term used for a busy network where lots 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 identified 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 significantly lower than download speeds.
VPN
Virtual private network. A service that utilises encryption to shield your activity from hackers. VPNs also have the added benefit of covering your online identity and hiding your IP address. VPNs are highly 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 normally available in places like hotels, restaurants, and airports.