Broadband that does much more than connect
Broadband Independents’ Day shines a light on the UK’s independent broadband providers – the local full fibre networks delivering better customer experience, better cost of service, better community impact, better connectivity and better choice.
For years, broadband buyers have been told the same few names are the only real option. They are not. Across the UK, independent broadband providers – or alternative networks (Altnets) as they are known – have been investing millions building full fibre networks, winning customers on service and value, and putting communities first. Broadband Independents’ Day is about making that choice more visible and helping households and businesses discover the community broadband provider on their doorstep.
Discover your local provider at BetterFibreWhy now?
The UK’s independent broadband market has gone from challenger to choice. With hundreds of independent providers building local full fibre, choice is no longer something the country has to wait for.
Broadband Independents’ Day is the moment to make that choice visible to every household and business.
What you can do
- Check your address on BetterFibre and see which independent providers cover your street
- Compare on service and value, not just on brand recognition
- Share the campaign with friends, neighbours and local businesses
- Switch when your contract ends – it really is that simple
Why choose independent?
Five reasons local full fibre is changing the broadband market for the better.
Better for choice
Altnets are now a serious force in the market with hundreds of providers throughout the country. Millions of homes and businesses can already access an Altnet, and more than 750,000 customers switched to one during 2025. Yet many people still do not realise they have an independent full fibre provider available right where they live or work.
switched in 2025
Better for customer experience
Independent providers are proving they can do more than match the biggest national brands – they are beating them where it matters most. Research by Point Topic shows 76% of Altnet customers say their broadband offers good value for money, compared with 68% of customers of major providers. Trustpilot ratings reinforce the picture – the independent market is outperforming household name brands by as much as 83%.
performance
Better for cost of living – and cost of doing business
Price matters, and so does certainty. In 2025, entry-level Altnet full fibre pricing stood at £19, compared to Sky and TalkTalk at £25 and BT at £35 – that’s between roughly 32–84% cheaper at a time when households are being hit in the pocket. Many independents have also stood out by avoiding the inflation-linked mid-contract rises that have frustrated customers elsewhere.
vs £25–£35 elsewhere
Better for the community
Independent providers are more than broadband companies. They are community broadband providers. They create local jobs, back local supply chains, bring new skills into towns and villages, invest in future-proof full fibre infrastructure and support local causes. Every new connection helps build stronger local economies and better connected communities. Choosing independent broadband is not just a purchase decision. It is a local investment.
skills and investment
Better for connectivity
From households using telecare, streaming and remote working, to farms, shops, start-ups and larger employers relying on fast, reliable digital infrastructure, full fibre keeps local communities moving and local economies growing. Independent broadband is helping families stay connected, learners stay online and businesses develop. That’s because services are delivered by 100% full fibre networks.
not partial
Are you a household or a business?
Independent broadband works for both – find the entry point that fits.
For households
Better value, better service, better local connections. Independent providers consistently outscore the household names on satisfaction, value and trust.
- Cheaper entry-level pricing
- Stronger Trustpilot ratings
- No surprise inflation-linked mid-contract hikes from many Altnets
- Built on 100% full fibre – not part-copper
For businesses
From sole traders to multi-site employers, full fibre is the productivity layer underneath your operation. Independents deliver reliable, business-grade connectivity with a local relationship that the household names struggle to match.
- Reliable connectivity for cloud, payments and comms
- Local supply chain and accountability
- Symmetric speeds for upload-heavy workloads
- Resilience and remote-working ready
“Choosing independent broadband is not just a purchase decision. It is a local investment – in jobs, in supply chains, in skills, and in the long-term health of your community.”
— The Broadband Independents’ Day CampaignSupported by
A national campaign with a local outcome
Broadband Independents’ Day is a national celebration of what the independent sector brings to the UK – but its impact is local. It is about helping more people discover the Altnet provider in their street, town or business park, and showing that independent broadband is not niche. It is established, credible and growing fast.
Ready to see who is connecting your community? Visit BetterFibre, enter your postcode and find your local independent full fibre provider today.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions households and businesses ask about independent broadband.
What is an Altnet?
“Altnet” is short for “alternative network”. Altnets are independently owned broadband providers – many of them locally based – who have built their own fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. They sit alongside the larger national providers and have grown rapidly over the past decade.
How is an Altnet different from the largest national providers?
The biggest practical difference is ownership and operating model. Altnets are independent businesses, often locally rooted, and most have built their own purpose-built full fibre networks rather than reselling on the same wholesale platform as the household names. That tends to mean a more direct relationship between the network operator and the customer, and a wider spread of pricing, contract terms and service options than people associate with the largest national brands.
Will I be able to get an Altnet where I live or work?
Coverage from independent providers now extends to millions of UK premises, in both urban and rural areas, although availability still varies by postcode. The quickest way to check is to visit BetterFibre, enter your postcode and see which independent providers serve your address.
Is the service reliable?
Most independent providers operate end-to-end full fibre (FTTP) networks, which support symmetric upload and download speeds and avoid the copper hand-off used by older broadband services. Reliability and customer satisfaction vary by provider; many independents perform strongly on third-party review platforms such as Trustpilot.
Is independent broadband really cheaper?
Pricing varies across providers and packages, but the independent sector has consistently offered competitive entry-level tariffs. In 2025, many independents had residential entry-level pricing around £19 per month for full fibre, while the largest national providers’ entry-level tariffs typically started higher. Like-for-like comparisons depend on speed tier and contract terms – check each provider’s offer. Some independents commit to no mid-contract price rises; others apply annual adjustments, so it’s worth reading the small print.
Why should I switch?
If you’re still on a copper or part-copper service, moving to full fibre delivers a step change in reliability and speed. If you already have full fibre from one of the national brands, an independent provider can still be worth comparing on price, contract terms, customer service and local relationship. Either way, when your contract ends it’s worth checking the alternatives at BetterFibre before renewing.
Find your local provider
Enter your postcode on BetterFibre and discover the independent full fibre providers serving your area.
Visit BetterFibre.uk