Best broadband deals in Leicester (2024)
Leicester, one of Britain’s oldest cities, is covered by many broadband providers. If you are looking for the best broadband deals in Leicester, we’ll make your decision easier by comparing internet providers and explaining everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
List of broadband deals in Leicester
What types of broadband can you get in Leicester?
Leicester is one of the best-connected cities in the UK. Regardless of which part of the city you live in, there are many broadband options to choose from. We’ll briefly explain the most common choices.
- ADSL broadband: Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) is the oldest and slowest type of broadband, with average speeds of around 10Mbps to 20Mbps. It is available everywhere in Leicester and uses copper telephone cables to deliver internet connectivity to homes.
- Standard fibre broadband: This type of fibre broadband is also known as part fibre or fibre-to-the-cabinet and is available in most parts of Leicester. Fibre optic cables bring internet connectivity to a local telephone exchange cabinet, and copper cables bring connectivity to homes. Standard fibre broadband can reach speeds of up to 100Mbps. But, like ADSL, the further you are from the exchange cabinet, the slower your connection.
- Full-fibre broadband or fibre to the premises is the fastest, reaching up to 1-2Gbps. Network providers have made significant strides in expanding the availability of full-fibre broadband in Leicester in recent years. Fibre optic cables deliver home connectivity with full-fibre broadband, resulting in ultra-fast and stable connections.
- Mobile broadband: This type of broadband delivers internet via a 4G or 5G network across Leicester. 5G connections offer the best speed compared to 4G. However, your location determines your connection speed on a 4G or 5G network. However, you’re likely to get good speeds everywhere in Leicester.
- Satellite broadband: Although more widely used in remote parts of the country, satellite broadband is also available in cities like Leicester. It delivers speeds of up to 150Mbps, faster than mobile broadband, but you’ll need more equipment (like a satellite dish) to establish a connection.
What broadband packages are available in Leicester?
There are broadband plans for everyone in Leicester, regardless of your budget, location, and unique needs. These are some of the packages you’ll find when searching for the best broadband deals in Leicester:
- Broadband-only: This basic broadband package gives you only internet access. It’s a popular choice for many, and all internet providers in Leicester have this option. However, getting a package that includes broadband, phone, and TV is generally cheaper.
- Broadband and phone: This broadband plan includes a landline and is ideal if you want a landline phone for your home or business. Providers also offer broadband and mobile plans with a SIM card or mobile phone.
- Broadband and TV: Many providers bundle TV with their broadband plans. This broadband deal will give you access to various premium TV channels and even subscriptions to streaming services.
What factors should you consider before choosing the best broadband provider in Leicester?
There’s more to getting a broadband plan than picking an internet provider in Leicester with the best price. Here are some things to consider to ensure you’re getting the best broadband deal:
- Speed: The broadband speed providers advertise on their site, but it isn’t always what you get. Several factors determine your speed, including your location and type of broadband connection. We recommend using our postcode checker to compare internet speeds from different providers in your area.
- Price: How much are you willing to pay for broadband? Broadband prices and features vary from provider to provider, so the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best option. We recommend looking at internet speed, data capacity or caps, set-up fees, and other features in addition to price.
- Reputation: When picking a broadband plan, it’s crucial to closely assess internet service providers' reputations. Check out online reviews to see what other users say about the service. Ensure you’re signing up with a trusted and reliable provider.
- Coverage/Availability: Not all UK internet providers are available in Leicester. So, confirming if your preferred provider operates in the city is essential. The easiest way to do this is using our postcode checker to see which broadband operators are available near you.
- Contract length: Broadband plans come with different contract lengths, usually 12 to 24 months. While opting for a lengthy contract is not necessarily wrong, you may have to pay an exit fee if you decide to switch providers before the contract ends. Consider the contract length of any broadband plan you choose, and check if the provider has an exit fee.
- Customer service: Bluntly, people should pay more attention to customer service when searching for broadband deals. This is because poor customer service can significantly impact your experience. Check which channels you can use to reach your preferred internet service provider’s customer service team. Do they provide 24/7 support? Also, read online reviews to see if the provider’s customer service has been helpful to other users.
What broadband speeds can you expect in Leicester?
The broadband speeds you’ll get in Leicester depend on several factors, including your broadband connection and the providers in your area.
According to Ofcom’s latest UK home broadband performance report, the average broadband speed in UK homes is 69.4Mbps. While many parts of Leicester get above-average speeds, some areas fall below this. Opting for full-fibre broadband generally ensures better speeds than other broadband connections.
Which broadband deal in Leicester is right for you?
The easiest way to determine the best broadband deals is to look at your specific needs. We recommend assessing the following things:
- The size of your household
- How do you use the internet (i.e., streaming, gaming, working, making video calls)?
- Your budget
- Any extra services or perks you may be interested in (like a TV and mobile bundle or subscription to streaming platforms)
- Your preferred broadband contract length
A clear picture of all these will help you select a broadband deal that’s right for you.
Broadband providers in Leicester?
There are numerous broadband providers in Leicester. We briefly highlight some of the top providers below:
- Virgin Media: Virgin Media offers ultrafast fibre and full-fibre broadband plans in parts of Leicester. In addition to broadband-only deals, it also offers broadband and TV or phone deals. Virgin Media’s broadband plans come with lots of extras.
- O2: O2 is one of the largest mobile operators in the UK, offering flexible pay-as-you-go mobile broadband in Leicester and other parts of the country.
- BT: BT’s coverage extends over Leicester. BT offers different broadband options, including full-fibre connections. BT also has bundle deals, like broadband and phone or broadband and TV packages.
- TalkTalk: TalkTalk offers super-fast broadband in Leicester, especially if you choose full-fibre broadband. There are several broadband packages to pick from, and users can add extra services like TV and phone to their plans.
- NOW: NOW is one of the few broadband providers in Leicester with no-contract deals. It has a range of affordable broadband plans to suit different users. Plus, users can add Now TV to their package.
- Plusnet: Plusnet offers an array of broadband plans for Leicester users. However, it doesn’t have full-fibre coverage everywhere and only offers standard fibre plans.
- Sky: Sky offers standard fibre and full-fibre broadband plans in Leicester, with discounts for new subscribers. Some of its plans target high-bandwidth activities like gaming and streaming. Sky also has a broadband plan bundled with Sky TV and Netflix.
- EE: EE is known for its ultrafast internet and excellent coverage in Leicester. Users can opt for full-fibre, fibre broadband, or mobile broadband plans. Like some other providers above, EE also offers broadband and TV deals.
- Vodafone: Vodafone has wide coverage in the UK, including many parts of Leicester. It offers full-fibre broadband with speeds comparable to BT but cheaper. Vodafone also provides broadband and TV bundles and broadband and phone packages.
- CityFibre: CityFibre is available in large parts of Leicester. In 2023, the company expanded its full-fibre coverage in Leicester to up to 100,000 homes. CityFibre boasts excellent speeds and no-contract broadband plans.
- Three: Three offers super-fast 4G and 5G broadband in Leicester and other parts of the UK. Its plans are affordable and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to compare deals in Leicester with Cybernews postcode checker?
Comparing broadband deals in Leicester to find the best one for your needs can be tedious and time-consuming. Rather than Googling “best broadband deals in my area,” use our postcode checker to see all the broadband providers available near you and their plans. It’s super easy to compare broadband plans with our postcode checker:
- Enter your postcode and select your address from the options.
- Select your current service provider or leave that option blank if you don’t have an active contract.
- Click “Compare Deals” to see plans from different broadband providers operating in your neighbourhood.
Other broadband deals you may be interested in:
Broadband deals in Leeds: discover top broadband deals in Leeds
Broadband deals in Manchester: explore the best deals in Manchester
Broadband deals in Birmingham: looking for broadband deals in Birmingham? See and compare the best ones
Broadband deals in Leicester - FAQ’s
Does Leicester have 5G?
Yes, several network providers offer 5G connectivity in Leicester. Vodafone, O2, and EE are among them.
How to improve broadband speed in Leicester?
To boost your broadband speed in Leicester: 1. Run a speed test to compare with your provider's maximum. 2. If at maximum, consider upgrading to full-fibre broadband. 3. If below maximum, reposition your router away from electrical appliances. 4. Check for outdated hardware or software. 5. Consider switching to a faster provider if one is available in your area.
Which one is the cheapest broadband in Leicester?
Three has one of the cheapest broadband plans in Leicester, costing just £21 per month. There’s not a huge price difference between Three and some other broadband providers we’ve highlighted above.
What is the fastest internet speed in Leicester?
The fastest broadband you’ll get depends on the part of Leicester you live in and the broadband connection you’re using. Generally, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, EE, and Three have some of the fastest broadband in the country.