What to Consider When Choosing a Broadband Package and Provider

The Scoop | 17/07/2025

Choosing a broadband package and provider isn’t just about chasing the fastest speed or jumping on the latest deal. It’s about making sure your connection actually fits your life. Whether you’re streaming, working, gaming, or just browsing, the right broadband can make everything feel smooth and seamless.

But with so many providers, packages, and technical terms out there, how do you know what’s right for you?

This guide breaks it down simply. From understanding what speed you really need to checking what kind of connection you’re actually getting, we’ll help you cut through the jargon and choose a package that works for your home, your habits, and your future.

Start with speed

When it comes to broadband speed, what matters most is how your household uses the internet.

If you live alone, watch Netflix in the evenings and browse on your phone, you don’t need 1 Gbps. But if you’ve got four people all trying to stream, game, work remotely and scroll through socials at once, then yes, faster speeds will make a real difference.

Here’s the trick: plan for your busiest moments, not your quietest. Internet usage spikes during evenings, weekends, and when multiple devices are online at once. If your broadband can’t handle those peak times, it’ll feel slow when it matters most. Ask yourself:

How many people are online at once?
Do we stream in 4K, download games, or upload large files?
Do I work from home and rely on stable video calls?

Based on your answers, use this as a rough guide:

150 Mbps – Best for lighter users (1–2 people): This is ideal for everyday browsing, emails, social media, and a bit of HD streaming. If you only use a few devices and don’t upload big files or stream in 4K, this will keep things running smoothly.
300 Mbps – Great for small to medium households (3–4 people): Perfect if you’re juggling video calls, online classes, streaming in HD, or sharing large photos. Occasional gaming is no problem here.
500 Mbps – For busy homes and heavy use (5–6 people): A strong choice for households with multiple users who stream, game, work remotely, or do it all at once. It can easily handle 4K streaming and fast downloads across several devices.
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) – Built for high-demand homes or home offices (7+ people): If your home is packed with smart tech, multiple 4K TVs, serious gamers, or remote workers who need fast uploads and downloads, this is the gold standard.

Not sure which one fits your home? No problem, we’ve got a full broadband speed guide to help you figure it out.

Understand what type of broadband you're actually getting

Not all broadband labelled as 'fibre' is truly full fibre. And that can make a huge difference.

Many providers still offer part-fibre connections (also called FTTC – Fibre to the Cabinet), which use fibre-optic cables to the street but switch to old copper wires to reach your home. Those copper lines limit your speed and are more prone to interference.

Full fibre (FTTP) broadband runs fibre all the way to your home. That means faster downloads, higher-quality streaming, lower latency, and a more reliable connection overall.

If full fibre is available in your area, go for it, it’s not just the future of internet connectivity, it’s the present. At GoFibre, we specialise exclusively in full fibre to the premises (FTTP). That means if we’re in your area, you can rest assured you’re getting the fastest, most advanced broadband technology available, built for speed, reliability, and everything your household needs, now and in the future.

Don’t forget the router: Whole-home coverage matters

It’s easy to focus on your broadband package and forget about how your Wi‑Fi will actually behave throughout your home. You could have the best package in the world, but if your signal drops off the moment you step into the bedroom, it’s no good.

That’s where Wi‑Fi setup matters. Not just speed, but coverage. So when choosing a package, ask about the router and its capabilities. Is it mesh-ready? Does the provider offer enhanced coverage options?

And remember, router placement matters too. Stick it out in the open and away from thick walls to give your signal the best chance to shine.

Think about upload speeds

When people talk about internet speeds, they usually mean download speeds, how fast you can receive data, like streaming videos or loading websites. But there’s another important speed called upload speed, how fast you send data from your device to the internet. This matters a lot for things like video calls, sending files, or online gaming.

With work-from-home, gaming, video calls, and cloud backups becoming everyday essentials, upload speed deserves just as much attention.

Fast uploads help you:

Appear sharp and smooth on video calls
Upload large files to the cloud without waiting forever
Post videos to socials instantly
Game online with lower lag and better responsiveness

So don’t just be tempted by a high download speed, always check the upload speed included in your package. Ideally, pick a provider that offers the option to make upload speeds symmetrical, such as an add-on that boosts your upload to match your download. This can be especially helpful if multiple people are gaming or working from home at the same time. Having that balance makes a big difference in how smooth and responsive your internet feels every day.

Customer service shouldn’t be an afterthought

You might not think about support until you need it, but when something goes wrong, it can make or break your broadband experience.

Look for providers who offer:

UK-based customer support
Real humans on the other end of the phone
Fast, simple ways to get help
Great reviews from real customers

Final tip: Choose broadband that’s built for you

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to broadband. The right package depends on your home, your habits, and the kind of experience you want, fast, stable, affordable, flexible, or a mix of it all.

So take a step back and ask:

What’s my ideal speed for today, and for the future?
Will this connection hold up when everyone’s online?
Am I getting real value?
Will I get the support I need if something goes wrong?

If the answer ticks all your boxes, you’re onto a winner.