Bored of buffering and creeping broadband bills? You’re not alone. A new wave of internet providers is shaking up the UK broadband market and could bring you faster speeds for less money. These independent full-fibre networks – often called “alt-nets” – are rising to challenge the big names and redefine what you expect from home broadband. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what alt-nets are, how they might benefit you, and how to switch seamlessly to get a better deal.

What Are Alt-Nets and Why Should You Care?

Alt-nets (short for alternative networks) are smaller, often regional broadband companies building their own fibre-optic infrastructure instead of relying on Openreach (BT’s network) or Virgin Media O2. Think of providers like Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Gigaclear, or CityFibre – names you might not have heard yet, but they’re rapidly expanding coverage. Back in 2012, Ofcom counted just a dozen or so “ambitious” alt-net operators; today there are around 100 independent broadband companies investing nearly £11 billion by 2025 to reach up to 30 million premises with full-fibre. In other words, these newcomers have transformed from niche players into serious contenders. They’ve already laid full-fibre lines past 16.4 million UK homes by end of 2024 – nearly matching Openreach’s footprint. And about 750,000 households switched to an alt-net in 2024 alone, pushing alt-nets to 2.7 million live connections (35% year-on-year growth). This rapid rise matters because it means more choice for you. Instead of just accepting whatever your old provider offers, you might find an alt-net in your area delivering the speed and service you need. Competition is a win for consumers: when there are more players fighting for your custom, you tend to get better deals and innovation.

The Full-Fibre Advantage – Speed and Reliability

So what’s the big deal with full-fibre? In short, it’s the gold standard of broadband technology. Full-fibre (also known as FTTP – Fibre to the Premises) uses fibre-optic cables all the way to your home, unlike older “part-fibre” services that still use copper phone lines for the last stretch. For you, that means ultrafast, consistent speeds – often 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps or even gigabit (1000 Mbps) levels, both download and upload. Say goodbye to the buffering wheel when everyone’s streaming 4K or on Zoom calls at once. A full-fibre connection can handle it with ease, and with far lower latency (lag), it’s great for online gaming and video calls. Reliability also gets a boost: fibre cables aren’t affected by electrical interference or bad weather the way copper lines are, so you’ll likely see fewer dropouts. Many alt-nets have capitalized on this, boasting that their networks deliver faster and more reliable service than the old guard. For example, London-based Community Fibre offers top packages at a blistering 3 Gbps (3,000 Mbps) – that’s over 40× faster than the UK’s average download speed. Even more common plans like 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps on alt-nets dramatically outpace what most households have today (the median UK home broadband download was about 69 Mbps in 2023). With full-fibre, activities like streaming, online gaming, working from home, and backing up your family photos to the cloud all become smoother. If you’ve ever cursed your broadband during a busy evening, upgrading to fibre can feel like going from a crowded country lane to a multi-lane motorway.

But speed is only one side of the coin – alt-nets also tend to offer a fresh approach to customer service and value, which might be just as important.

Better Deals: Can Alt-Nets Save You Money?

One major reason people are flocking to alt-nets is the potential to cut their monthly bills or get far better speeds for the same money. The big broadband providers often advertise enticing intro prices, but many also bake in annual CPI+ price hikes and move you to a higher rate after the first 18–24 months. Smaller providers know they need to win your trust, so they often compete aggressively on price and fairness. In fact, many alt-nets pride themselves on cheaper tariffs and no mid-contract price rises. For instance, Community Fibre’s fixed-price plans mean you won’t see a penny increase during your contract – a sharp contrast to the +14% hikes some big ISPs imposed in 2023. They’re not alone; Zen Internet (a niche full-fibre provider) similarly promises no mid-contract hikes and consistently tops customer satisfaction charts.

Price-wise, alt-nets can be real wallet-savers. Many offer gigabit broadband for what some major providers charge for basic fibre. For example, as of 2024 Community Fibre was offering 920 Mbps for £26/month on a 24-month plan – a deal which undercuts BT, Virgin Media, Sky and TalkTalk on price. In contrast, a 500 Mbps package from a big name might run you around £40–£45 per month (and often with yearly increases) once any promo period ends. The math is simple: with the right alt-net, you could double your speed for significantly less money. Over a year, that adds up – switching providers saves the average UK customer about £105 annually, and alt-nets are leading that charge with competitive pricing.

Of course, not every alt-net is the absolute cheapest in every region – sometimes the big providers do flash sales or bundle deals with TV. But the key is, you now have options. By taking a few minutes to shop around, you could save hundreds of pounds while getting better service. (Tip: If you’re out of contract or facing a price jump, don’t just renew – see what else is out there. You might be surprised how much leverage you have.) To get started, Check these broadband deals and compare what’s available today – you may find an alt-net offering a much better value for your needs.

Is an Alt-Net Available in Your Area?

Alt-nets sound great, but you might be wondering: Can I actually get one at my address? It depends – coverage is expanding fast, but it’s not universal yet. The UK’s fibre rollout has accelerated thanks to these new players. By the end of 2024, independent networks covered about 16.4 million premises across cities, towns, and rural areas. Many communities now have two or more fibre networks in place – around 7.6 million UK homes are passed by at least two rival fibre providers. In dense cities like London, Manchester, or Birmingham, you might have multiple choices (say, Openreach and Virgin plus an alt-net like Community Fibre or Hyperoptic). Rural villages too are seeing full-fibre love from specialists like Gigaclear or B4RN (a community-run network in Lancashire). The government’s Project Gigabit is even funding alt-nets to reach some hard-to-serve areas that big players overlooked.

The quickest way to know your options is to check your postcode. You can use our broadband search tool on SearchSwitchSave (or even a general UK broadband availability checker) to see what providers serve your location. Another handy resource is the UK Speed Test tool, which often shows which networks are present after you run a speed test on your line. If a full-fibre alt-net is available, it will show up in the results or in comparison listings. Keep in mind that alt-nets sometimes focus on specific building types or areas – for example, Hyperoptic targets apartment blocks and new builds (often working with building owners to wire up flats with gigabit fibre), whereas CityFibre has focused on mid-sized cities and partners with various retail ISPs to sell service on its network. Community Fibre concentrates on London, Gigaclear on rural hamlets, and Zzoomm or Trooli on smaller towns. There’s likely an alt-net somewhere near you already, or coming soon – the industry goal is to extend full-fibre to 95%+ of UK homes by 2027.

Pro tip: Even if you can’t get an alt-net today, don’t give up. Coverage maps are growing month by month. It’s worth rechecking every so often, especially if you hear about street works or receive a flyer saying “full fibre is here!”. You might be closer to a fibre hookup than you think.

Alt-Net or Big Provider? Trust and Service Considerations

Switching to a smaller brand can feel like a leap of faith. We get it – you may not have heard of some of these companies before, and you’re used to the likes of BT or Sky. The good news is that many alt-nets have been scoring higher on customer satisfaction than the familiar big firms. In a 2025 survey by Which?, the Big Four providers (BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin) were all outperformed by smaller rivals on metrics like customer service, value, and reliability. Customers of niche fibre ISPs often report more personal, responsive support – you’re not just an account number in a giant system. Plus, these companies know they need to earn trust to compete. They tend to offer perks like shorter wait times for support, UK-based call centers, or guarantees such as 60-day satisfaction refunds (as Community Fibre provides) to ensure you’re happy. Smaller doesn’t mean fly-by-night: many alt-nets are backed by serious investment funds or regional councils, and if one ever ran into trouble, usually another network (or larger operator) would scoop it up – so you wouldn’t be left stranded without internet.

Still, it’s wise to do a quick trust check when considering a switch. Look up customer reviews for the alt-net in question, check if they’re a member of the Ofcom voluntary compensation scheme (many are), and see if they’ve signed the industry speed code of practice. Our trust checklist for UK broadband shoppers is a handy guide on what to look for. The bottom line: the broadband market is regulated, and whether you’re with a household-name provider or a local alt-net, you have consumer rights. If anything, the competition from these new players is pushing all providers to up their game. As one industry expert put it, “Customers shouldn’t feel stuck with poor service – there are better options out there. If people vote with their feet, it pushes the whole industry to raise its game.” That ethos is exactly what alt-nets are banking on.

How to Switch with Confidence (It’s Easier Than Ever)

If you’re tempted to join the full-fibre revolution, the process of switching is likely much simpler than you expect. Thanks to Ofcom’s new One Touch Switch system, introduced in 2023, switching broadband providers is now a quick, one-contact process. You only need to contact the provider you want to join, and they handle the rest – including informing your old provider and scheduling the switchover date. No more awkward cancellation calls to your old ISP or long downtime. In most cases, you’ll have at most a few minutes of interruption on the switchover day.

Here’s a step-by-step snapshot of how to switch to an alt-net (or any new provider) smoothly:

1. Do a Speed & Deal Check: First, test your current broadband speed (e.g. via the free UKSpeedTest tool) and note your current price. This gives you a baseline to improve upon. Then find a desirable deal – for instance, a full-fibre 300 Mbps or 500 Mbps plan that suits your budget. Use a comparison on our site or others to see what’s available. (If you’re in contract, also check your end date or exit fees.)
2. Pick Your New Provider: Once you’ve identified an alt-net with a great offer in your area, simply sign up with them – either online or by phone (heres a tool to search the top deals in less than 20 seconds – here). During sign-up, provide your postcode and landline number (if you have one) so they can coordinate the switch.
3. One-Touch Switch Kicks In: Your new provider will notify your current provider automatically. You’ll get a confirmation of the switch date (usually a couple of weeks ahead).
4. Installation Day: If the alt-net needs to run a new fibre cable to your home, they’ll arrange an engineer visit on the switch date. Good news: installation is typically free, and the engineers are pros at neatly running the fibre. It usually takes a couple of hours. Your old service should remain up until the moment of switchover.
5. Return Old Kit: After you’re up and running on the new fibre service, remember to send back your old router if your previous ISP requests it (many provide prepaid return bags). Then, enjoy your upgraded speeds and hopefully lower bill!

As you prepare to switch, keep these quick self-audit questions in mind to ensure it’s the right move for you:

• Are you out of contract (or within a couple months of ending)? If yes, perfect – you’re free to move without penalties. If not, weigh any exit fee against potential savings.
• Has your current provider raised prices mid-contract or given you subpar service? Those are strong signs it’s time to consider alternatives.
• Is full-fibre now available in your area? If you’ve seen new fibre cables being laid in your street, received flyers, or found alt-net deals via a postcode check, you likely have the green light.
• Do you need faster upload speeds or a more reliable connection for work or streaming? Full-fibre alt-nets excel at these, so if you’re working from home or have a busy household, the upgrade could be a game-changer.
• Have you compared prices recently? If you haven’t checked the market in over a year, you could be missing out on big savings – broadband prices and offers change frequently.

If you answered “yes” to several of the above, then switching to a new broadband deal (perhaps with an alt-net) could significantly improve your internet experience and save you money. Our detailed Switch Broadband Guide walks you through more tips, and the One Touch Switch guide provides extra reassurance that the process is hassle-free. With the new regulations, you really can switch without the stress or fear of losing service mid-way.

Looking Ahead: The Alt-Net Revolution (What It Means for You)

The rise of full-fibre alt-nets is more than a tech trend – it’s directly impacting UK households in 2025 and beyond. As these agile newcomers continue to extend their networks, the days of local broadband monopolies are fading. Even the government and Ofcom recognize that supporting alt-nets leads to healthier competition and better outcomes for consumers. In practical terms, you can expect faster rollout of gigabit internet to more corners of the country and continued pressure on the big providers to offer fairer pricing and service. Industry analysts predict the UK will achieve around 95% full-fibre coverage by 2027 if current plans stay on track – an incredible leap from just a few years ago. That means wherever you live, odds are high that you’ll have the option of lightning-fast broadband in the near future, if you don’t already.

For consumers, the alt-net revolution could usher in a new era of empowerment. You won’t be tied to one or two slow, pricey options. You’ll be able to choose the package that truly fits your family, whether that’s a budget-friendly 50 Mbps social tariff or a 1000 Mbps powerhouse connection for a smart home. And because many alt-nets focus on community and transparency, you might even find the experience more pleasant – no hard-sell tactics, just straightforward service that does what it says on the tin. As one survey found, “many smaller providers offer better customer service, more reliable connections and fixed contracts or lower annual price rises – giving customers more certainty about their bills”. That philosophy is a breath of fresh air in an industry long plagued by surprise price hikes and long call centre queues.

In the coming years, we’re likely to see some of these alt-nets team up or get acquired (as the market matures and consolidates a bit). Don’t worry – consolidation can actually strengthen the coverage and stability of these networks, ensuring they stick around for the long haul. The key takeaway for you is that broadband choice is here to stay and growing. Gone are the days of “take it or leave it” from an incumbent; now it’s “how about this, or this, or that?” from a host of eager providers.

In summary, the rise of full-fibre alt-nets in the UK is great news for anyone who uses the internet (that’s all of us!). You stand to benefit from faster speeds, fairer prices, and friendlier service. If you haven’t explored these new alternatives yet, now is a perfect time to see what’s available and give your broadband an upgrade. The power to search, switch, save is firmly in your hands – and with each household that joins the fibre revolution, the UK moves one step closer to a better connected, more affordable digital future. Happy surfing!

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