Should you switch to a regional broadband provider?

Choosing a regional provider can both reduce your monthly fee and increase your broadband speed. These providers often specialise in offering superfast and ultrafast broadband by building their own full fibre networks.

There are more than 50 regional providers that range in the areas they cover – from multiple regions to a handful of towns and villages. So would paying just £17 a month for 200Mbps broadband convince you to change to a regional provider? 

Read on to find out more about these smaller providers and see whether you could get a cheaper and faster connection.

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What are the advantages of regional broadband providers?

The main advantages of regional broadband providers are the fast broadband speeds provided by their bespoke fibre networks, competitive prices and, in some cases, local customer support. 

Regional providers serve a reduced customer base, due to the limited areas they operate in – making it difficult for us to get enough feedback about individual companies to give them a customer score in our round-up of the best and worst broadband providers. Instead, we reached out to Which? members who are signed up with regional providers, to find out more about their experiences overall. 

The main advantages of regional broadband providers given by the Which? members we spoke to were:

• Access to broadband speeds not offered by national providers 
• Local help centres (only with some providers)
• Helpful and accessible customer service
• Easy switching process.

By building their own fibre networks, regional providers are able to provide superfast and ultrafast broadband speeds in areas where larger providers still rely on older, slower copper cables. In rural areas, a regional provider can in some cases dramatically increase your potential broadband speed from an underwhelming 11Mbps to a whopping 1,000Mbps (1Gbps). One member told us that the faster broadband speed offered by a local provider ‘has transformed our lives’ and allows for the joys of countryside living alongside a modern connected lifestyle. Head over to our guide if you’d like to find out more about the benefits of fibre broadband. 

Many Which? members were also pleased with the locally based help centres. One told us that when they spoke to their regional broadband provider ‘you get a local person on the other end, no computerised "press 1 for this, 2 for that”’. Many of the responses we received also indicated that regional providers offer helpful, good-quality customer service. One member told us that they felt smaller local providers offer ‘truthful and informative’ customer service that can be superior to larger providers. 

Due to the nature of the fibre networks built by regional providers, the process of switching will usually require physical connection from your home to the fibre network, which can make an engineer appointment necessary. Despite this, many of those we spoke to described the switching process to a regional provider as ‘easy’. One was particularly impressed by the ‘incredibly fast and efficient fibre installation crew’.   

What are the downsides to regional broadband providers?

Although we received positive feedback on the broadband speeds that members achieved once they'd switched, some found that the expansion of regional providers' fibre networks to their area was slow. This is a downside of smaller providers building their own fibre networks. Whether regional providers offer packages in your area at all can also be determined by demand.

Some members we spoke to were disappointed that they're unable to easily incorporate broadband, phone and TV deals with their regional provider. However, one calculated that due to the reduced price of broadband the overall cost of their bundled subscriptions was similar.

Another consideration is that no regional broadband providers are currently signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme or its Broadband Speeds Code of Practice, designed to ensure a fairer broadband market. Automatic compensation should mean those who experience poor service get money back when things go wrong – without having to chase it. The Broadband Speeds Code of Practice requires the providers that have signed up to give customers clear indications of the speed they can expect and a personalised minimum speed that’s guaranteed. 

Other providers don’t always offer the same protections. You can still ask a regional provider for a minimum speed, although it may not be guaranteed in the same way. 

Are regional providers more expensive than big providers?

Our research suggests that regional providers can offer very competitive prices, particularly for faster speeds. However, it all depends on whether the cheaper providers have a fibre network in your area. You can use Ofcom’s tool to find out which providers offer broadband in your area.

We commonly see regional providers offering deals that are both speedy and cheap when compared to larger competitors. For example, on average the lowest price in 2023 for 36Mbps broadband from BT is £28.60 per month (for new customers). In comparison, Community Fibre’s average cheapest deal in 2023 is £18.19 per month, for at least 50Mbps broadband.

Regional providers can also offer cheaper prices for the highest broadband speeds. On average, Virgin Media's cheapest price for 1Gbps broadband in 2023 was £43.87. By comparison, B4RN offers the same speeds for only £33 per month, and Jurassic Fibre offers 950Mbps for £39 per month (at the time of writing, the first three months are free, making the effective monthly price £29.25). 

However, not every regional provider is cheaper. Kcom offers 30Mbps for £29.99 and 950Mbps for £49.99. We've received feedback that some regional providers offer very competitive introductory prices, but ‘the price rise is quite steep’ following the end of the initial contract.

A slightly higher price from a regional provider may still offer good value for money if it's your only option to access faster broadband. Members we spoke to felt that being able to confidently work from home or have more devices simultaneously connected warranted the extra cost.

How can I get fast broadband in rural areas?

Which? members have reported being pleased with speeds offered by regional broadband providers, and in some cases they can dramatically improve on the potential broadband speed offered by bigger rivals. The key is to check the details of any package carefully, and to know what speed you're currently receiving. 

• Use our Broadband speed test to find out what speeds you're getting, and weigh up whether these are enough, or you'd benefit from a faster connection.
• Find a regional broadband provider that serves your area to see what packages they offer. We hand pick a selection of the best regional broadband deals each month. 
• Pick a deal that offers the best speed for you – you should see details of the speeds delivered to your area on the provider page, after entering your postcode. You can also call the provider to check what average speeds you'd expect to receive at your home, so you can compare them with the results of your speed test.

Head over to our deals page to find out more about the best broadband deals.

What are some popular regional broadband providers?

There are a wide range of regional providers across the country, but some serve quite large areas, so are more likely to be available in these regions.

Community Fibre (Greater London)

Community Fibre is a smaller provider that serves parts of Greater London with its own full fibre network. We found that it offers impressive deals, particularly for the high speeds it delivers, but be aware it does apply mid-contract price rises. The Community Fibre customers who contacted Which? were pleased with the impressive speeds and ease of switching. 

Speeds: 150Mbps-3Gbps

Contract length: 12 or 24-month contracts (top speeds only available with 24-month contracts)

Price: Very competitive, 1Gbps speeds available on a 12-month contract for just over £30 per month

Mid-contract price rises: CPI plus 2.9% annually

Kcom (North East)

Kcom is a long established telecoms and broadband provider in the North East of England. Many customers in parts of Hull can only access fixed-line broadband via Kcom. We have seen deals with significant price drops on Kcom’s website. It applies mid-contract price rises, but Kcom customers said the contract prices are reasonable when compared with larger providers, such as Virgin Media.

Speeds: 30-900Mbps

Contract length: 24 months

Price: Full price is more expensive than other smaller providers we analysed  

Mid-contract price rises: CPI plus 3.9% every March 

Trooli (South)

Trooli originated in Kent and now offers broadband to parts of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Norfolk, Sufolk, West Sussex and Wiltshire. Trooli only offers 24-month contracts, but over the past year we have seen it offer deals of reduced prices for a number of months or even three months free. Trooli doesn't apply mid-contract price rises, and the customers we spoke to were impressed by its quality of customer service.

Speeds: 150-900Mbps

Contract length: 24 months

Price: Competitive prices when it offers deals 

Mid-contract price rises: None 

Gigaclear (South and Midlands)

Gigaclear has built its own full fibre network in more than 22 counties in the South West, the Midlands and the South East. We found the introductory offers to be excellent value, with 200Mbps speeds for only £17. However, Gigaclear applies mid-contract price rises, and the customers we spoke to reported large price hikes following the end of the initial 18-month contract. 

Speeds: 200-900Mbps

Contract length: 18 months

Price: Great introductory prices, but be wary of price increases after the end of the initial contract 

Mid-contract price rises: CPI plus 3.5%

Jurassic Fibre (South West)

Jurassic Fibre prides itself on being ‘built by people in the South West for people in the South West’. Unsurprisingly, it boasts locally based customer support. We have seen it offer three months free when signing up for a 24-month contract and, even better, it doesn't apply mid-contract price hikes. 

Speeds: 150-900Mbps

Contract length: 12 or 18 months

Price: Competitive pricing, 150Mbps for less than £30 per month

Mid-contract price rises: None

B4RN (East and North West)

B4RN exclusively provides ultrafast broadband in the North West and East of England. Its work is made possible by groups of volunteers to install and expand its own fibre network. As B4RN specialises in very rural areas, customers told us the opportunity to massively upgrade their broadband speeds has allowed them to live a more modern lifestyle. The B4RN customers we spoke to are also pleased by the quality of locally based customer service. 

Speeds: 1-10Gbps

Contract length: 12 months

Price: Very competitive pricing for speeds, 1Gbps speed for £33 per month

Mid-contract price rises: B4RN reserves the right to increases prices (no more than once every 12 months)

Fibrus (North West England, Northern Ireland)

Fibrus has extensive coverage of Northern Ireland, offering fibre broadband in all six counties. It also offers more limited coverage in North West England. If you are in contract and wish to switch to Fibrus, it will offer to buy you out of your existing contract. Fibrus has confirmed that it won’t implement inflation linked mid-contract price rises.

Speeds: 106-982Mbps

Contract length: 24 months 

Price: Competitive pricing, 159Mbps speeds for £24.99 per month

Mid-contract price rises: None

Lothian & Highland Broadband (Scotland)

Lothian and Highland Broadband offer superfast broadband to parts of Fife, Lothians, Highlands and Stirlingshire. Its prices are more expensive than other regional broadband providers we have analysed, however if this is your only option for superfast broadband it may still be worth it, especially as Lothian and Highland Broadband offer speeds all the way up to 2,000Mbps.   

Speeds: 100-2,000Mbps

Contract length: 12 or 24 months

Price: Slightly cheaper than other regional providers in Scotland, slower speeds prices in line with larger providers 

Mid-contract price rises: Lothian & Highland Broadband reserves the right to increase prices (no more than once every 12 months)

OGI Fibre (Wales)

OGI provides fibre broadband to large parts of South Wales at a competitive price, with 200Mbps for only £15 a month. However, it is important to consider that OGI does reserve the right to implement mid-contract price rises each April. 

Speeds: 200-900Mbps

Contract length: 12 months

Price: Very competitive pricing, 900Mbps speeds for £30 per month

Mid-contract price rises: CPI plus 3.9% every April

Do regional providers offer social tariffs?

Social tariffs are discounted deals available for certain low-income customers. They're generally cheaper than typical broadband tariffs, starting at just £12 per month and usually aren't subject to price rises or exit fees. You're likely to be eligible for a social tariff if you receive a means-tested state benefit, such as universal credit, pension credit or legacy equivalents. Read our guide to social tariffs to find out more.

Some regional providers have social tariffs. For example, B4RN offer an impressive 1Gbps for £15 per month. In fact, these providers are more likely than larger ones to offer faster speeds in their social tariffs. Grayshott Gigabit, Hey! Broadband, Lothian Broadband, RunFibre, WightFibre and Wildanet all offer 100Mbps broadband or more in their social tariff. If you’re eligible, it's worth checking if a regional provider offers a social tariff in your area, as they can represent excellent value for money.

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