BeFibre Broadband Review 2024: Speeds, Pricing, Pros & Cons
TL;DR
BeFibre offers high-speed fibre broadband with competitive pricing and a focus on symmetrical pricing. It's particularly well-suited for the average household and even tech-savvy households who may want something a little more from their broadband provider. The lack of nationwide coverage and use of a VoIP alternative rather than a traditional landline may be sticking points for some users – but if it’s available in your area, and you don’t require a standard landline, the fast, reliable service is an attractive prospect. Check if you’re in a BeFibre area.
What Does BeFibre Offer?
BeFibre provides a range of high-speed fibre broadband packages designed to cater to various internet needs. With a focus on delivering exceptional performance and reliability, BeFibre's most popular deals include:
Be150
- 150Mb average speed
- Unlimited usage
- No phone line
- £24.00 per month
- £0 one-off cost
- 18-month contract
Be500
- 500Mb average speed
- Unlimited usage
- No phone line
- £28.00 per month
- £0 one-off cost
- 18-month contract
Be900
- 900Mb average speed
- Unlimited usage
- No phone line
- £32.00 per month
- £0 one-off cost
- 18-month contract
Be2300
- 2300Mbps average speed
- Unlimited usage
- No phone line
- £25 per month
- £0 one-off cost
- 12-month contract
BeFibre keeps things simple, so no upfront costs, a 30-day guarantee, and a promise of no mid-contract price hikes. If you want to go with a provider that won’t give you any nasty surprises down the line, this is the one for you.
One of the main selling points of BeFibre's connections is that everything is symmetrical, so the upload speed you get will be the same as the download speed. What’s even better is that it’s a pure fibre network, so you’ll be hitting speeds well above what you’d get from another provider that promises ‘superfast broadband’.
BeFibre currently serves around 270,000 homes in the UK so coverage is quite limited at present. You can use our free tool to check if it’s available in your area.
BeFibre is an ideal choice for:
- Large households: With multiple devices connected simultaneously, BeFibre's high speeds can handle heavy internet usage without buffering.
- Heavy streamers, gamers and remote workers: Gamers, streamers, and those who download large files will appreciate the fast and reliable upload and download speeds BeFibre provides.
- Tech-Savvy households: BeFibre's advanced features and router technology are appealing to those who value cutting-edge technology.
However, BeFibre may not be the best option for:
- Those in areas with limited coverage: BeFibre's network is not available everywhere. Areas covered include parts of Derbyshire, Essex, Greater Manchester, Mersyside, South Yorkshire and Warwickshire, along with Lancashire, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
- Households who want landline and TV all included in one package: BeFibre offers straight broadband with no added extras, although you can use the broadband to make WiFi calls.
Key Features
BeFibre offers full fibre broadband (aka Fibre to the Home (FTTH) or Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) which delivers internet to your home through fibre optic cables rather than the copper cables a lot of traditional broadband solutions use for part of the connection.
This means that BeFibre can promise customers insanely high speeds. Depending on your needs, they offer three:
- Be150: 150Mbps unlimited symmetrical full fibre broadband, perfect for streaming and browsing the internet.
- Be500: 500Mbps unlimited symmetrical full fibre broadband. A little faster, perfect for gamers or people who need to download excessively large files for work.
- Be900: 900Mbps unlimited symmetrical full fibre broadband. This is a great choice if you’ve got a household full of heavy gamers.
- B2300: 2300Mbps with unlimited symmetrical upload and downloads for the busiest, fullest households.
BeFibre also provides a high-quality router by Linksys. This mesh Wi-Fi router can deliver fast and reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology and can handle multiple devices simultaneously. BeFibre is also thought to be planning to introduce Wi-Fi 7 routers and extenders before the middle of 2025 for even greater performance.
While BeFibre doesn't currently offer traditional landline services, you can add BeTalk fibre-powered phone lines to your package for £10 a month where you can make calls through your BeFibre internet connection. They also don’t provide any TV and bundle options.
The kicker is that BeFibre's network is expanding, but availability is really limited right now. Before getting too excited about the packages and monthly fees, we’d strongly recommend checking the coverage in your area.
User Experience
BeFibre's installation process is generally straightforward, with professional technicians handling the setup. While there may be some additional work involved due to BeFibre's independent network, the overall process is similar to that of other broadband providers.
BeFibre's broadband service is known for its reliability and performance, with few reported issues. Customers have generally expressed satisfaction with the speed and stability of the connection.
Although BeFibre doesn’t appear in Ofcom's annual customer service reports, it has received positive feedback from customers on Trustpilot, with a rating of 4.1 out of 5.
Pricing and Value
BeFibre offers competitive pricing for its high-speed fibre broadband packages. The exact cost will depend on the speed you choose and any additional features or bundles.
Let’s compare various 500Mbps fibre packages from other providers to see how BeFibre stacks up:
| Be500 | TalkTalk Full Fibre 500 | Plusnet Full Fibre 500 | 4th Utility 500Mbps Full Fibre | Hyperoptic | Vodafone Full Fibre 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £28 | £35 | £32.99 | £31 | £35 | £29 |
| Speed | 500Mbps | 525Mbps | 500Mbps | 500Mbps | 522Mbps | 500Mbps |
| Set-up cost | £0 | £0 | £0 | £19.99 | £0 | £0 |
| Contract length | 24 months | 18 months | 24 months | 1 month | 12 months | 24 months |
BeFibre consistently offers the lowest prices for customers compared to the competition. The next best option would be the Vodafone Full Fibre 500 package, but this gives you the exact same package for an extra £1 a month.
Conclusion: Is BeFibre Worth It?
BeFibre offers a compelling combination of high speeds, symmetrical connections, and competitive pricing. It's particularly well-suited for those who require a fast and reliable internet connection for demanding tasks like gaming, streaming, or working from home.
However, BeFibre's availability is limited, and it doesn't offer traditional landline services.
If BeFibre isn't available in your area or you need a landline, you may want to explore alternative providers that offer similar speeds and features at a competitive price.