📡 Broadband & TV Review · 2026
BT Broadband & EE TV Review 2026 — Is It Still Worth It?
BT is the UK's biggest broadband provider — but biggest doesn't always mean best. We break down the Full Fibre packages, EE TV bundles, pricing, and exactly who should (and shouldn't) sign up in 2026.
⭐ Quick verdict
✅ Best for
Families · Sports fans · Remote workers · Wide UK coverage
❌ Skip if
Budget is tight · Want fixed pricing · Already with Virgin Media
900Mbps
Max speed
£28.99
From /month
82%
UK coverage
24 mo
Contract
The big picture
Is BT broadband still worth it in 2026?
BT is the UK's largest broadband provider, serving roughly 25% of all UK households via its Openreach network. That network now covers around 82% of UK premises with full fibre (FTTP) — meaning most people can get a proper fibre connection straight to their door, not just to the cabinet at the end of the street.
In 2026 BT is also the company behind EE TV — a rebrand of the old BT TV service that brings together live TV, on-demand, Netflix, NOW channels, and TNT Sports in one smart set-top box. It's a solid all-rounder, and for many households it genuinely replaces the need for a separate Sky subscription.
The catch? BT isn't the cheapest provider, and prices rise by £4/month every April during your contract — something to factor in before you sign. But if you want wide availability, reliable speeds, and a premium TV experience without multiple bills, BT remains one of the strongest one-stop-shop options in the UK.
Good to know: BT's full fibre coverage is expanding daily. If you couldn't get it at your address before, it's worth checking your postcode again — 82% of UK homes now qualify.
📡 Broadband packages
BT broadband — speeds & prices 2026
BT currently offers six broadband packages — three Full Fibre and three part-fibre — starting from £28.99/month, with Full Fibre from £30.99/month. All packages are on a 24-month contract with a £0 activation fee when you order online, and BT includes advanced threat protection with every plan.
| Package | Type | Download | Upload | Now | Mar 2027 | Mar 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre Essential | Part fibre | 35-36Mbps | 8-9Mbps | £28.99 | £32.99 | £36.99 |
| Fibre 1 | Part fibre | 50Mbps | 10Mbps | £28.99 | £32.99 | £36.99 |
| Fibre 2 | Part fibre | 74Mbps | 20Mbps | £30.99 | £34.99 | £38.99 |
| Full Fibre 300 | Full Fibre | 300Mbps | 49Mbps | £30.99 | £34.99 | £38.99 |
| Full Fibre 500 | Full Fibre | 500Mbps | 73Mbps | £33.99 | £37.99 | £41.99 |
| Full Fibre 900 ⚡ | Full Fibre | 900Mbps | 110Mbps | £35.99 | £39.99 | £43.99 |
*Prices taken from BT.com, checked 28 September 2026. Prices may vary by location. Always verify on the BT website before ordering.
🔒 Guaranteed speeds
Every plan has a minimum guaranteed speed — 150Mbps on Full Fibre 300, 425Mbps on Full Fibre 500 and 700Mbps on Full Fibre 900.
📶 Smart Hub & Complete Wi-Fi
Choose between the Smart Hub 2 and the newer Smart Hub 3. Add Complete Wi-Fi for full-home coverage — BT gives you £100 back if you don't get a reliable signal.
🇬🇧 UK-based support
100% of BT's call centres are based in the UK and Ireland.
Price rise schedule — know before you sign
BT uses fixed-date price steps rather than annual percentage rises. Your broadband price increases by £4/month on 31 March 2027 and again on 31 March 2028. If you add EE TV, that's a further £2/month each time — £6/month in total. Factor both rises into your budget before committing to a 24-month deal.
Switching provider? BT is currently offering up to £300 towards your leaving fees, applied as bill credit, plus a £0 activation fee when you order online. Offers change regularly, so check the latest deal before ordering.
📺 TV service
EE TV (formerly BT TV) — what you actually get
BT rebranded its TV service as EE TV in 2024 — same great content, new name. You need a BT or EE broadband subscription to access it, and it delivers a genuinely impressive experience via the EE TV Box Pro. Think of it as a premium Freeview box with streaming apps, live TV, and optional add-on channels all in one tidy package.
The base EE TV package includes over 80 Freeview channels, catch-up TV, Netflix integration, and access to NOW Entertainment passes. Layer on TNT Sports for Premier League, Champions League and more, and you've got a serious entertainment setup without the need for a satellite dish.
What's included
📡
80+ live channels
🎬
Netflix built-in
⚽
TNT Sports add-on
📼
Catch-up & rewind
🎥
NOW passes
🎮
Xbox Game Pass
Important: EE TV is only available to BT or EE broadband customers. You can't get it as a standalone TV service — making it a compelling reason to bundle.
🔥 Best value
BT Broadband + EE TV bundles — the full package
Bundling your broadband with EE TV is where BT really starts to make financial sense. Instead of paying separately for broadband, a streaming service, and a TV package, one BT bundle covers it all — with bundles starting from £43.99/month for broadband plus EE TV Entertainment.
Entry bundle
Fibre Essential + EE TV Entertainment
£43.99/mo
- ✅ 35-36Mbps part-fibre broadband
- ✅ NOW Entertainment
- ✅ Netflix Standard (with adverts)
- ✅ TV Box Edge (no recording)
Best value bundle
Full Fibre 300 + EE TV Entertainment
£45.99/mo
- ✅ 300Mbps Full Fibre
- ✅ 150Mbps guaranteed minimum speed
- ✅ NOW Entertainment
- ✅ Netflix Standard (with adverts)
- ✅ Advanced threat protection included
Premium bundle
Full Fibre 500 + EE TV Sport
£60.99/mo
£38.99/mo for the first 3 months (limited-time offer)
- ✅ 500Mbps Full Fibre
- ✅ 425Mbps guaranteed minimum speed
- ✅ TNT Sports channels 1-4 in HD
- ✅ TNT Sports on HBO Max
- ✅ Advanced threat protection included
Bundle tip: BT is currently offering up to £300 towards leaving fees (applied as bill credit) when you switch broadband and TV, plus a £0 activation fee. Offers rotate regularly, so always check the current deal before ordering.
*Prices are broadband plus TV, taken from BT.com and checked 28 September 2026. On 31 March each year your price rises by £4/month for broadband and £2/month for TV. Prices may vary by location — always verify on the BT website before ordering.
⚽ Sports fans
TNT Sports & BT — the best option for live sport?
If live sport is a priority, BT's TNT Sports add-on is one of the most compelling reasons to choose BT over a rival. TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) covers a serious breadth of sport, and you don't need a satellite dish to watch it. It streams through EE TV and the HBO Max app, which is now the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK.
⚽
Premier League
Selected fixtures live
🏆
UEFA Competitions
185+ Champions League matches, plus Europa & Conference League
🥊
Boxing & UFC
Live combat sports
🏍️
MotoGP
Every race live
🏉
Rugby
Gallagher PREM & more
🎾
Tennis, cycling & more
Grand Slams, Grand Tours, snooker
Sport add-on prices (on top of broadband)
Sport
£5/mo for 3 months (limited-time offer), then £27/mo. Rising to £29 in Mar 2027 and £31 in Mar 2028. Includes TNT Sports channels 1-4 in HD and TNT Sports on HBO Max.
Sport Plus
£30/mo for 3 months, then £55/mo. Rising to £57 in Mar 2027 and £59 in Mar 2028. Everything in Sport, plus all of Sky Sports on NOW.
Sports fan tip: You don't have to take the full premium TV bundle. BT's Sport plan can be added to your broadband and
The verdict
Who is BT broadband actually best for?
BT isn't the right fit for everyone — but for certain households it's genuinely hard to beat. Here's an honest breakdown of who benefits most, and who should look elsewhere.
Families with multiple devices
Full Fibre 300 or 500 handles multiple 4K streams, gaming, and video calls simultaneously without breaking a sweat. The Smart Hub 2's Wi-Fi 6 helps reach more rooms too.
Sports fans
TNT Sports gives you Champions League, Premier League, boxing, NFL and more — all without a Sky dish. If live sport matters, BT is one of the most complete options available.
Remote workers & home office users
The Stay Fast Guarantee means BT is accountable for your speeds. Full Fibre 150+ gives you more than enough for video calls, cloud storage, and multiple colleagues working from home.
Gamers
BT Full Fibre 900 delivers under 15ms latency on average — ideal for competitive gaming. Some packages also include Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deals, which is a nice bonus.
Rural & suburban households
BT's Openreach network covers 95% of the UK with at least part-fibre, making it one of the most available providers. If Virgin Media doesn't reach your area, BT almost certainly will.
Not ideal for budget shoppers: If price is your number one priority and you don't need TV, providers like giffgaff or smaller altnets may offer lower monthly costs with fixed pricing throughout the contract.
⚖️ Head to head
BT vs Virgin Media — which should you choose?
The two biggest names in UK broadband — but they're more different than people realise. BT runs on the Openreach network (used by most providers), while Virgin Media operates its own cable network. Here's how they compare head to head.
| Feature | BT | Virgin Media |
|---|---|---|
| Max speed | 900Mbps | 1.1Gbps+ |
| UK coverage | 82% full fibre | ~53% |
| Entry price | £28.99/mo | From £23.99/mo |
| Gigabit-class price | £35.99/mo (900Mbps) | £23.99/mo (Gig1) |
| TV service | EE TV (add-on) | V6 box bundled |
| Price rise | £4/mo each 31 March (+£2 for TV) | £4/mo each April |
| Sports | TNT Sports (Sky Sports on NOW with Sport Plus) | Sky Sports & TNT Sports add-ons |
| UK support | ✅ 100% UK & Ireland call centres | ⚠️ Mixed |
*BT prices from BT.com, Virgin Media prices from published deal listings, all checked 28 September 2026. Prices vary by location and both providers' offers change regularly — always verify before ordering.
🏆 Choose BT if...
Virgin Media doesn't cover your area · You want UK-based support · You're a TNT Sports fan · You want a broadband-first setup
🏆 Choose Virgin if...
You want the lowest price for gigabit speeds · TV is a priority out of the box · Virgin covers your street · You want Sky Sports alongside your broadband
❓ FAQ
Frequently asked questions about BT broadband
How much does BT broadband cost per month in 2026?
BT broadband starts from £28.99/month for Fibre Essential (35-36Mbps part fibre). Full Fibre starts at £30.99/month for Full Fibre 300 (300Mbps) and goes up to £35.99/month for Full Fibre 900 (900Mbps). All packages are on a 24-month contract with a £0 activation fee when you order online, and advanced threat protection is included. Prices increase by £4/month on 31 March each year during your contract (plus £2/month if you add EE TV).
Is BT full fibre available at my address?
BT's Full Fibre network is growing all the time, so availability depends on your address. The easiest way to check is to enter your postcode on the BT website. If Full Fibre isn't available at your address yet, BT's part-fibre packages (Fibre Essential, Fibre 1 and Fibre 2) are the fallback option.
What is EE TV and how is it different from BT TV?
EE TV is the rebrand of BT TV, reflecting BT's partnership with EE. It's sold alongside your BT broadband, with plans like Entertainment (NOW Entertainment and Netflix Standard with adverts), Sport (TNT Sports channels and TNT Sports on HBO Max) and Sport Plus (adds all of Sky Sports on NOW). You add it on top of your broadband, so check the current plan details before you order.
Does BT broadband include a price rise during the contract?
Yes. BT applies fixed price rises on 31 March each year — £4/month on broadband and £2/month on TV, so £6/month in total if you take both. This replaced the old CPI-linked model following Ofcom's January 2025 rules requiring price rises to be stated in pounds and pence. If you order now, your first rise is on 31 March 2027, followed by another on 31 March 2028.
Does BT guarantee my broadband speed?
Yes, every BT plan comes with a guaranteed minimum speed. On Full Fibre that's 150Mbps on Full Fibre 300, 425Mbps on Full Fibre 500 and 700Mbps on Full Fibre 900. On part fibre it's 25Mbps on Fibre 1, 34Mbps on Fibre 2 and 32Mbps on Fibre Essential. Check BT's current terms for what happens if your speed drops below the guarantee.
Can I get TNT Sports without taking the full EE TV bundle?
You don't need the top-tier TV plan, because BT's Sport plan adds TNT Sports to your broadband on its own. Note that TNT Sports Ultimate needs broadband speeds above 40Mbps. TNT Sports is also available through the HBO Max app, its UK streaming home, which offers a standalone TNT Sports plan if you'd rather not take it through BT.
📋 Affiliate disclosure: Snagly.co.uk contains affiliate links. If you sign up to BT broadband through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects which products we recommend. Prices correct at time of publication and subject to change — always verify on the BT website before ordering. Read our full affiliate disclosure →
