What to check, in what order, and why it matters
Before you commit to a new home, check whether the exact address can support your work, streaming and gaming needs, and what mobile coverage is realistic. Use official UK tools first, validate on the actual network’s checker, and remember that many results are predictions rather than measurements.
This guide follows a simple path: confirm the precise address, check fixed broadband options and what the results mean, compare mobile coverage, validate likely real‑world performance, plan capacity and resilience, then understand ordering, installation and switching. Where the tools model outcomes, the limits are stated so you can plan with headroom and a fallback.
Key things to know before you start
Step by step checks before you move
The connectivity decision loop to reach a confident decision
Use this loop to narrow options, validate them, then place an order with clear expectations and a fallback. It keeps needs, availability, validation and resilience in sync so you avoid surprises after you move.
Worked examples you can copy
Assumptions for both examples: aim for roughly 25 percent headroom at busy times. Microsoft Teams HD target per endpoint is about 1.5 Mbps down and 1.5 Mbps up when conditions allow. Netflix recommends at least 15 Mbps per 4K stream. Use these vendor figures to budget conservatively.
Example 1. FTTP address with strong headroom
Scenario: the address has FTTP available on Openreach or CityFibre. Chosen package: 500 Mbps down. For planning, assume 500 down with around 75 up on an Openreach‑based ISP, or 500 down and 500 up on a symmetric FTTP altnet. The minimum guaranteed speed will be stated by the ISP at sale.
Capacity check: two remote workers in HD calls are about 3 Mbps up and 3 Mbps down combined. Two 4K streams are about 30 Mbps down. Add 20 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up for background tasks. Total before headroom is roughly 53 Mbps down and 8 Mbps up. With 25 percent headroom, budget about 66 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up. A 500 Mbps plan easily covers this with substantial reserve, even during large updates.
Installation and timing: FTTP installs are scheduled engineer visits typically lasting a few hours once any outside work is complete. Average new fixed service lead times are roughly a week and a half across providers. Illustrative mid‑market pricing for 500 Mbps FTTP at April 2026 sits around £35 to £45 per month. Check current offers.
Example 2. Rural FTTC primary with 4G failover
Scenario: the address has FTTC only, with an estimated 35 Mbps down and 7 Mbps up. Mobile coverage shows good outdoor 4G on two operators and fair indoor. Set FTTC as primary and a 4G router as backup.
Realistic throughput: two HD calls take about 3 Mbps up and 3 Mbps down. One 4K stream needs at least 15 Mbps down; two 4K streams near 30 Mbps could saturate the FTTC line. A workable strategy is to cap streaming to 1080p at roughly 5 Mbps each during working hours. With two 1080p streams plus the two calls and modest overhead, you are near 17 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up, which fits under 35/7.
Failover data sizing: if FTTC fails for two workdays in a month and you run per day two 3‑hour HD calls and one 3‑hour 1080p stream, budget around 15 GB per day. Over two days that is about 30 GB. Choose a 4G backup plan of at least 30 to 50 GB monthly, allowing cushion for updates.
Illustrative monthly cost: a typical FTTC 40/10 plan around £28 plus a 50 GB data SIM near £15 totals about £43 per month, plus any router cost. Actual tariffs vary.
Checklists to keep you on track
Run these lists when scoping a property and again when you are ready to order. Save screenshots and confirmations.
Pre‑move address and coverage checks
Pre‑move address and coverage checks
Order and installation readiness
Order and installation readiness
Glossary
- Download speed
How fast data arrives to you, measured in Mbit/s.
- Upload speed
How fast you send data, measured in Mbit/s.
- Minimum guaranteed speed
The personalised line speed an ISP promises at sale. If a Code signatory cannot meet it after troubleshooting within 30 days, you can leave without penalty.
- Latency, jitter and packet loss
Latency is the time a packet takes for a round trip, in milliseconds. Jitter is the variation in that delay. Packet loss is the percentage of packets that never arrive.
- Contention and traffic management
Shared network capacity among many users. ISPs may use proportionate traffic management to keep services stable at busy times under UK net neutrality guidance.
- FTTP
Fibre to the premises, an all‑fibre link to your home.
- FTTC
Fibre to the cabinet with a copper final span. Speed depends on distance.
- Cable via DOCSIS
Hybrid fibre‑coax access that offers very high download speeds and typically lower uploads than FTTP.
- Fixed wireless access
Broadband delivered over 4G or 5G to a home router. Performance depends on radio conditions and local cell load.
- Wi‑Fi versus access link
Wi‑Fi is your in‑home wireless. For accurate line testing, use Ethernet.
Verified callouts
What UK advertised broadband speeds mean and the minimum guaranteed speed
ISPs that have signed Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code must give you a personalised minimum guaranteed speed at sale, explain peak‑time speeds, and allow exit without penalty if they cannot fix under‑delivery within 30 days. The ASA requires that advertised average speeds reflect at least 50 percent of customers at the busiest time.
Ofcom mobile coverage predictions and indoor versus outdoor reliability
Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile uses operator predictions in a 50 m grid, verified by sample measurements, and distinguishes indoor and outdoor. Predictions are generally reliable but cannot guarantee service at a specific spot due to local factors such as buildings and foliage.
FTTP versus FTTC versus cable: key differences for install, speed and contention
FTTP gives the most stable performance because the last‑mile is fibre. FTTC uses copper for the final span so speeds fall with distance. Cable via DOCSIS is gigabit‑capable but typically has lower upload rates than FTTP. Ofcom’s Connected Nations and performance updates show these behaviours across the UK.
Related definitions and support pages
Definitions
- What is FTTP and how installation works
- What is FTTC and why line length matters
- Cable and DOCSIS explained
- Fixed wireless access for homes: when it fits
- Minimum guaranteed speed: how to use it
- Latency, jitter and packet loss explained
- Traffic management and fair use: UK rules and what to look for
- Wi‑Fi versus Ethernet: accurate testing and setup
- One Touch Switch: how broadband switching works in 2026
- Auto‑compensation: triggers, amounts and how it is applied
- Mid‑contract price rises: what Ofcom changed in January 2025
- Wayleaves and new builds: what to know before ordering
Sources
- Broadband availability checker
- Map Your Mobile - coverage checker FAQ and methodology
- Broadband Speeds Code of Practice - consumer page
- Connected Nations UK report 2025
- Latest home broadband performance trends
- EE mobile coverage checker
- O2 coverage checker
- Vodafone coverage map and status
- Three network and coverage
- Openreach fibre availability and FTTP engineer visit guidance
- Virgin Media broadband postcode checker and QuickStart info
- CityFibre availability and installation
- Automatic compensation - what you need to know
- Investigating broadband providers for failing to implement simpler switching
- Ofcom bans mid‑contract price rises linked to inflation
- Digital Voice - will my service work in a power cut
- How to get a Virgin Media fibre phone
- Hybrid Backup and Hybrid Connect - help guide
- Vodafone Pro Broadband with 4G backup
- Prepare your network for Microsoft Teams
- Netflix playback settings and bandwidth for Ultra HD
- Ofcom ranks big UK mobile and broadband ISPs by quality and faults 2025
- Obtaining wayleaves
- Openreach full fibre rollout rolling back in some areas