Broadband in Cambridge

Broadband in Cambridge

Cambridge is a city synonymous with academic achievement; it is home to the renowned University of Cambridge, widely considered to be one of the world’s best and most influential universities.

It is also in the heart of Silicon Fen, a high-tech centre of software, electronics and biotech businesses.  Many of the businesses have links to the University, and the area is now regarded as a key part of European technology.

As a result, it is no surprise that web connectivity in and around Cambridge is excellent.  Superfast download speeds are widely available, with residents and businesses able to take advantage.

Fibre tech in the city

Cambridge is an old city, but it is by no means living in the past, with quicker connections laid out centrally allowing for superfast broadband.  With businesses and residents looking for a reliable, fast service, the city has to keep up to date with technology, and you will be able to get fibre-optic broadband in a number of locations.

Further out from the centre, in areas like Church End and Chesterton, slower download and upload speeds are to be expected.  ADSL broadband will likely be available, but this won’t be enough for those wanting to get anything above 10Mb.

Speeds and availability

Choosing a superfast fibre service can get speeds of above 20Mb, and the post codes CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4 have seen fast averages of around this speed.

Broadband will be broadly available, but if you get ADSL broadband then your speeds will be closer to 5-10Mb, or possibly slower during times of day that experience high traffic.  ADSL is very susceptible to external effects, whereas fibre is more advanced, with speeds much closer to the advertised maximum.

Broadband providers

As expected, Virgin Media and BT are prevalent providers in the city, with good broadband speeds due to their fibre-optic services.  BT would also be providing its ADSL service, which is something Virgin Media does not offer as it runs exclusively on its own fibre network.

Other providers that have services in the area include Zen Internet and John Lewis, with both offering a fibre service, and there’s also EE, TalkTalk and Post Office broadband available, although the latter is only ADSL.

Summary

As is the case with most cities, broadband results vary depending on how close you are to the centre.  Fibre availability is not widespread, but you are more likely to get it if you live centrally.  With a choice of providers, you can usually find a good deal on either ADSL or fibre packages.