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What are the best broadband deals in Edinburgh 2024?

Looking for cheap broadband? Compare prices from top providers and get a great deal

Edinburgh offers some of the best broadband deals in the UK, with a variety of providers to choose from. Finding the best speeds and prices can be challenging, which is why our expert team has rounded up everything you need to know when looking for the best broadband deals in Edinburgh.

Plusnet – Full Fibre 145
Monthly Cost
£27.99
Average speed
145 Mb
Contract term
24 months

Monthly prices are subject to increase each year on 31 March by Consumer Price Index rate of inflation + 3.9%.

Our top recommended broadband providers
Plusnet
Fast speeds & reliable customer service
Virgin Media
Ultrafast speeds at affordable prices
Vodafone
Perks for existing mobile customers
BT Broadband
The UK’s largest broadband provider

What broadband options are available in Edinburgh?

Broadband providers in Edinburgh offer a range of broadband services, including broadband only, broadband and phone and broadband and TV packages. Not every broadband provider in your area can offer these services, so it’s worth looking into several providers to find the best package for your needs. 

  • Broadband only: Broadband-only packages are best suited for households that only require an internet connection
  • Broadband and phone: Some postcodes will require a broadband and phone deal, due to the broadband being delivered via copper wires. This option is also useful for households that want to use a landline service
  • Broadband and TV: Broadband and TV deals offer a broadband connection alongside a subscription to streaming services, such as Netflix or NOW, or access to more TV channels

Best broadband providers in Edinburgh

Residents in Edinburgh can pick between several broadband providers. Four of the largest providers, which include BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, are all available, among a selection of smaller providers. Not every provider will offer the same speeds in your area, so you should check every supported provider to find the best speed for your household. 

BT Broadband

BT Broadband works across wide swathes of Edinburgh, offering full fibre broadband deals, with top speeds of 900Mbps for eligible postcodes. BT also offers landline and TV bundles, which include NOW and Netflix subscriptions.  

Virgin Media 

Virgin Media offers a wide range of broadband packages for those living in Edinburgh, including broadband only, broadband and phone and broadband and TV deals. 

Sky Broadband

Sky is one of the largest broadband providers in the country, providing ultrafast full fibre speeds of up to 900Mbps for supported households. Residents can pick between multiple TV deals, which include film, TV and sports channels. 

TalkTalk

TalkTalk offers speeds of up to 944Mbps for eligible postcodes, providing Wifi 6 routers for increased speed and connectivity where possible. The company provides broadband only, landline and TV bundles, with the latter featuring subscriptions to TalkTalk TV and NOW Entertainment for £5 and £9.99 per month, respectively. 

NOW Broadband 

Residents in Edinburgh can benefit from no-contract deals from NOW Broadband, which come with a £60 activation fee. The company also offers the NOW Entertainment membership for an additional £6.99 per month, alongside full fibre broadband for supported postcodes. 

Vodafone 

Vodafone provides free installation of its full fibre broadband for eligible customers, with Vodafone mobile phone customers receiving a monthly discount on their broadband. Residents can also access speeds up to 910Mbps, depending on their postcode. 

Plusnet 

Plusnet offers broadband-only services to residents in Edinburgh, with the majority of deals coming with a £0 activation fee. Speeds can reach up to 900Mbps, depending on your postcode, with no phone lines required. 

Hyperoptic 

Hyperoptic does not serve every household in Edinburgh, so we recommend checking your postcode to ensure your home is supported. Those who do live in eligible areas can receive full fibre broadband and a landline, if necessary. 

Giganet 

Giganet is not supported across the entirety of Edinburgh, but eligible households can receive speeds up to 900Mbps, with a wifi router included in the package.

How do I find broadband providers in Edinburgh and what factors should I consider?

Before finding the best broadband provider for your needs, you must consider a couple of key factors. If you want an overview of the best broadband deals in your area, use our postcode checker to see what’s on offer. 

Here are some of the most important factors you should consider when looking for a broadband provider in Edinburgh. 

Speed for Edinburgh areas 

Not every broadband provider will offer the same speeds or packages for your postcode, making it essential to check which companies offer speeds that will adhere to your internet needs. Households that regularly stream online content or engage in multiple video calls will require a faster broadband speed than some other Edinburgh residents; find out how to measure your speeds and what broadband speeds you need using our guide. 

Price of the deal 

Faster broadband speeds are usually more expensive, meaning you may need to pay a higher monthly fee, depending on your needs. To find the best deal, look at multiple providers and check for any one-off payments, such as installation fees. Consider your budget and the needs of your household to determine how much you will need to pay for a broadband connection. 

Contract length 

The majority of broadband contracts can be paid over 12, 24 or 36-month periods. While longer contract lengths are usually more cost-effective, they might not be suitable for those living in rented accommodation. Residents who rent in Edinburgh may want to look towards companies offering monthly rollover or no-contract broadband deals.  

Provider reputation 

Even providers that have been operating for a long time may have subpar service, so you should research each company before committing to a package. Look at recent customer testimonials to ensure a positive experience with your new broadband provider. 

Provider customer service 

In the unfortunate event that something goes wrong with your broadband, effective customer service is essential for resolving the problem. Check if the provider offers a dedicated customer support line or an online chat feature to make contacting them easier and more streamlined. 

Do you need a wifi booster with that provider? 

A wifi booster is used to extend coverage to low-signal areas in the home; ideally, you want a broadband deal that doesn’t require additional hardware. Check your Edinburgh postcode with speed checkers to find a suitable package that will allow you to avoid this issue.

What broadband speeds can I expect in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is very well connected in terms of broadband, meaning that residents can benefit from high broadband speeds. It is important to note that some postcodes will see slower speeds, especially if they do not have access to full fibre broadband. 

According to Speedtest.net, as of November 2023, the average broadband speed in Edinburgh was 122Mbps. 

Using Ofcom’s speed checker, we calculated the average superfast broadband speed for different areas in Edinburgh. These results will be dramatically lower for households without access to superfast or ultrafast gigabit broadband.

Area in Edinburgh Average broadband speed
Stockbridge 80Mbps
New Town 80Mbps
West End 80Mbps
Royal Mile 69Mbps
Grassmarket 200Mbps
Southside 81Mbps
Tollcross 267Mbps
Bruntsfield 101Mbps
Morningside 80Mbps
Gorgie 80Mbps
Dalry 132Mbps
Lieth 80Mbps
Portobello 76Mbps
Corstorphine 77Mbps
South Queensferry 80Mbps

What are the most common types of broadband in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a selection of broadband options, including the fastest type of broadband, fibre to the premises (FTTP). Some postcodes will be limited in terms of broadband types, which will be reflected in the packages offered by various providers. 

Over one million homes in Scotland have access to full fibre broadband, with more than four in 10 homes supporting fibre to the premises broadband, according to an Ofcom report from 2022. 

  • Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL): ADSL is the most common type of broadband. It requires a landline service, as the broadband is delivered via copper wires
  • Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC): FTTC delivers broadband to the cabinet in your street and then into the home through copper wires. It is more reliable and faster than ADSL 
  • Fibre to the premises (FTTP): FTTP broadband is one of the fastest broadband connections available in the UK, delivering ultrafast speeds directly into the home, with no need for a landline connection
  • Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC): HFC is delivered through fibre optic cables first and then through a coaxial cable

Frequently asked questions about broadband deals in Edinburgh

Broadband speeds can be improved by multiple factors; ensure your router is placed correctly so it can effectively reach all areas of the home. Update your router regularly and disconnect any devices you are not using to improve speeds. If you are still struggling with broadband speeds, consider investing in a wifi booster.

Residents in Edinburgh who regularly stream content online – whether that be media content or video games – will require a faster broadband connection. Generally, speeds between 20 and 30Mbps are suitable for streaming, although speeds of 50Mbps or above will provide the best experience, especially if you are streaming content in 4K or HDR.

Due to there being full fibre support across wide areas of Edinburgh, residents can benefit from higher-than-average speeds. According to Speedtest.net, the average broadband speed in Edinburgh is 122Mbps, while the average speed for the UK sits at 69Mbps, according to Ofcom

The speed of your broadband will depend heavily on your postcode, with supported fibre to the premises (FTTP) households seeing the best speeds. CityFibre – which provides broadband for companies like TalkTalk, Vodafone and Giganet, among others – will continue to roll out its full fibre services to more districts in Edinburgh, with completion slated for 2024.

Gemma Ryles

Home Tech Writer

Gemma Ryles is a BJTC and PPA-accredited journalist with three years of experience writing across various publications. As a home tech expert at Independent Advisor, Gemma tests, researches and writes about broadband and home security. 

Previously, Gemma reviewed and curated lists about consumer technology at Trusted Reviews, where she honed her skills in creating buying guides and features to help customers make informed decisions. She has previously worked at Yorkshire Post, BBC Yorkshire, Glitterbeam Radio and Bonus Stage. 

Gemma has a BA in Journalism and in her free time can be found writing short stories, gaming and crocheting. 

Molly Dyson

Editor

After growing up with a passion for writing, Molly studied journalism and creative writing at university in her home country of the United States.

She has written for a variety of print and online publications, from small town newspapers to international magazines. Most of her 10-year career since relocating to the UK has been spent in business journalism, writing and editing for admin professionals at PA Life magazine and business travel managers at Business Travel News Europe and representing those titles at conferences around the world.

Now an Editor at the Independent Advisor, Molly is an expert in a broad range of consumer topics, that include solar panels and renewables, home improvements and home insurance, and consumer technology such as home security and VPNs.

In her free time, Molly can usually be found exploring the outdoors with her husband and their young son or gardening.