- Postcode-level checks can show what is available somewhere in the postcode, which is not the same as what is available at your specific house.
- Address-level checks, including the Openreach and individual provider checkers, are more accurate for your exact line.
- The Ofcom checker is useful for an independent overview, while provider checkers reflect what that provider can actually sell you.
- When checkers conflict, the address-level result from the network operator is usually the most reliable for what you can order today.
Broadband availability is one of the most confusing things to research, because a postcode can show full fibre while your specific house cannot get it. Knowing which checker to trust, and why they disagree, saves you from ordering a service that turns out not to reach your door.
Postcode versus address-level checking
A postcode can cover dozens of premises, and availability is recorded at the premises level. A postcode check that says full fibre is "available" may mean it is available to some addresses in that postcode, not necessarily yours. An address-level check looks at your specific line and is far more accurate for deciding what you can actually order.
The three checkers and what each shows
The Ofcom checker gives an independent overview of what technologies are recorded as available at your address. The Openreach checker shows what the Openreach network can provide to your line, which is what most mainstream providers resell. An individual provider's checker shows what that specific provider can sell you, which may be narrower than the network as a whole, or may include an altnet the Openreach checker does not see.
When results conflict
Disagreement is common and usually explainable. A provider may not yet sell a service the network can technically deliver, or coverage may be "planned" rather than live. As a rule, for what you can order today, trust the address-level result from the network operator, and confirm with the specific provider before you commit. If an altnet serves your street, check it separately, because the Openreach-based checkers will not show it.
Comparing the checkers
| Checker | What it shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ofcom checker | Independent overview of recorded availability | A neutral starting point |
| Openreach checker | What the Openreach network can deliver to your line | Mainstream provider availability |
| Provider checker | What that provider can actually sell you | Confirming a specific deal |
| Altnet checker | Coverage on an alternative network in your street | Networks others do not show |
Before you move house
You can check availability at a new address before you move, using the full address. Doing so before you commit to a property, or at least before you order broadband, avoids the unwelcome discovery that the fast service you assumed was there does not reach the specific house.
Frequently asked questions
Which broadband checker is most accurate for my address?
An address-level check from the network operator, such as the Openreach checker, is usually most accurate for what you can order today. The Ofcom checker is a good neutral overview, and the specific provider's checker confirms what that provider can actually sell.
Why do different checkers show different results?
Because they show different things: an overview of recorded availability, what a network can technically deliver, and what a specific provider currently sells. Coverage may also be planned rather than live, and altnets do not appear on Openreach-based checkers.
How do I check if full fibre is available at my house?
Use an address-level check with your full address rather than a postcode-only check, and confirm with the provider you want to use. If an altnet operates in your street, check it separately, as the Openreach-based checkers will not show it.
What does planned coverage mean on a broadband checker?
It means the technology is expected to be built to your area but is not yet available to order. Planned dates can move, so do not commit to a service on the assumption that planned coverage will arrive by a particular date.
Can I check broadband availability before moving house?
Yes. Enter the full new address into the checkers to see what is available there before you move or order. This avoids discovering after moving that the service you expected does not reach the specific property.
