- Ofcom and Openreach both provide free broadband availability checkers covering most UK addresses.
- A full address gives a more accurate result than a postcode alone, because availability can vary between premises on the same street.
- Checkers distinguish between connections available now and those that are planned or under construction.
- Several networks may serve one address, including Openreach, Virgin Media and independent altnets, so more than one option can exist.
- Ofcom Connected Nations data underpins the national picture of coverage that checkers reflect at address level.
Use the Ofcom and Openreach checkers to see what serves your address. A full address is more accurate than a postcode, and the results separate connections available now from those that are only planned.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Why an availability check matters
Broadband availability varies enormously from one address to the next, even within the same street or building. Before choosing a package, an availability check shows which technologies and speeds can actually be delivered to a specific property, rather than what is advertised in general. This avoids the frustration of ordering a service that turns out not to reach the address, and it reveals options a household may not have realised were available.
Because several networks can build in the same area, a check can also surface choices beyond the obvious. An address might be served by Openreach, by Virgin Media, and by one or more independent networks, each offering different speeds and prices.
The main checkers
Two checkers are particularly useful. The Ofcom checker gives an independent, regulator-run view of the connections available at an address, drawing on the data behind its Connected Nations reporting. The Openreach checker shows what the Openreach network can deliver to the premises, including the estimated speed for part-fibre lines and whether full fibre has been built or is planned. Using both gives a fuller picture, since the Ofcom checker spans multiple networks while the Openreach checker details the Openreach position in depth.
Individual retail providers also offer their own checkers, which show what that provider can supply over the networks it uses. These are useful when comparing specific deals, though they naturally focus on that provider's services rather than the whole market.
| Checker | What it shows | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Ofcom checker | Connections across multiple networks | Less product detail than a network's own tool |
| Openreach checker | Openreach speeds and full fibre status | Covers the Openreach network only |
| Provider checker | What that provider can supply | Focuses on that provider's services |
| Mobile coverage checker | 4G and 5G coverage by location | Indoor coverage can differ from outdoor |
Postcode versus full address
A postcode check gives a quick general picture, but a full address check is far more reliable. Availability can differ between neighbouring premises because of how the network was built, the length of individual lines, and whether fibre has been brought to a particular property. Two homes sharing a postcode can have different full fibre status and different estimated speeds. Entering the full address, and selecting the exact property where prompted, returns the most accurate result.
Understanding the results
Checker results usually distinguish between what is available now and what is planned. A connection marked as available can be ordered, while one marked as planned or under construction is not yet ready, even though it may arrive in future. Speed figures for part-fibre lines are typically given as a range, reflecting the line conditions to that address, and providers that follow the relevant code of practice give a personalised minimum guaranteed speed before a contract begins. For full fibre, the result usually shows whether the address has been passed by a network and can be connected.
It helps to read the labels carefully. Phrases such as planned, in build, or accepting orders soon mean the service is not available to order today. Treating planned coverage as if it were current is a common source of disappointment.
Checking gigabit and full fibre
For households specifically seeking gigabit-capable broadband, the checkers indicate whether full fibre or upgraded cable is available, since these are the technologies that deliver gigabit speeds. Because full fibre rollout is moving quickly, an address that had no gigabit option some months earlier may since have been passed by an Openreach build, a Virgin Media upgrade, or an altnet. Re-checking periodically is worthwhile in areas where building is active.
Mobile and alternative coverage
Where fixed broadband is limited, it is also possible to check mobile coverage, since 4G and 5G fixed wireless can serve as a home broadband alternative. Ofcom provides a mobile coverage checker, and the mobile operators offer their own. These show outdoor and, where available, indoor coverage, which matters because mobile signal can differ markedly between the two. Combining a fixed broadband check with a mobile coverage check gives the fullest view of the options at an address, particularly in rural areas where fixed choices are fewer.
Why checker results can disagree
It is common for different checkers to return slightly different results for the same address, which can be confusing. The reasons include the date the data was last updated, the networks each checker covers, and how each one matches an address to the underlying records. A network that has just completed a build may show as available on its own checker before that update reaches the wider databases. Likewise, a property at the edge of a build area can be recorded inconsistently. When results conflict, checking directly with the network or provider for the specific address resolves the question most reliably.
Address matching itself is a frequent source of error. New build properties, converted buildings and flats can be missing from databases or listed under a slightly different address, which can cause a checker to return no result or the wrong one. Selecting the exact property from a list, rather than relying on a postcode, reduces this problem. Where an address genuinely cannot be found, contacting the network directly allows the record to be checked and, if needed, corrected.
Using checks to plan a switch
An availability check is most useful as the first step in planning a change of provider. Knowing which networks and technologies serve an address shows the realistic choices, and comparing the estimated speeds for each helps set expectations before looking at deals. For households considering full fibre, a check also reveals whether an installation would be a straightforward connection to an already-built network or a longer process where fibre has not yet been brought to the property. Starting with the facts about the address avoids wasted time on options that cannot actually be delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broadband checker is most accurate?
Using both the Ofcom and Openreach checkers gives the fullest picture, as the Ofcom checker spans multiple networks while the Openreach checker details the Openreach position in depth. Entering a full address rather than just a postcode improves accuracy, since availability can vary between neighbouring premises.
Why does my address show fibre but my neighbour does not?
Availability can differ between neighbouring premises because of how the network was built, the length of individual lines, and whether fibre has been brought to a particular property. This is why a full address check is more reliable than a postcode check, which only gives a general picture. Build programmes also progress property by property, so one home can be connected while a neighbour waits for the next phase.
What does planned coverage mean?
Planned or in-build coverage means a connection is expected in future but is not yet available to order. Only connections marked as available can be ordered now. Treating planned coverage as current is a common source of disappointment, so it is worth reading the labels carefully.
How do I check gigabit availability?
The Ofcom and Openreach checkers indicate whether full fibre or upgraded cable, the technologies that deliver gigabit speeds, are available at an address. Because rollout is moving quickly, re-checking periodically is worthwhile in areas where networks are actively building.
Can I check mobile broadband coverage too?
Yes. Ofcom provides a mobile coverage checker, and the mobile operators offer their own, showing outdoor and where available indoor coverage. This matters where 4G or 5G fixed wireless is being considered as a home broadband alternative, particularly in rural areas with few fixed options. Indoor coverage can differ markedly from outdoor, so checking both gives a more realistic picture before relying on mobile for home broadband.
Are broadband availability checkers free to use?
Yes. The Ofcom and Openreach checkers are free, as are the checkers offered by individual providers. They require only an address or postcode and return results without any charge or commitment. Using more than one is a free way to build a fuller picture of the networks and speeds available at a property.
