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With a wide range of internet providers to choose from, it is easy to find great broadband deals in Manchester.
Currently, 97 per cent of UK households can access superfast fibre broadband[1] reaching speeds of 30Mbps, which is more than enough for small households. But thanks to the numerous providers operating in the area, eligible Manchester residents can opt for other types of broadband, including standard asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), Virgin Media cable and full fibre broadband.
To better understand the country’s broadband habits, we surveyed over 2,000* UK broadband customers. We then combined this data with our expert’s knowledge to help you find the best broadband deals in Manchester.
All major UK internet providers offer services in Manchester, giving residents plenty of choice. When comparing broadband providers, it is important to consider speed, price, contract length and any incentives for new customers.
The easiest way to find the best Manchester broadband providers in your area is to use our postcode checker. To help you make an informed decision, we have provided key information on each provider below.
BT uses the Openreach network, which is available to more than 12.5 million homes and businesses across the UK[2]. This provider offers speeds ranging from 36Mbps to 900Mbps, which costs £42.99 for Manchester households.
All new customers in Manchester can take advantage of Sky’s no upfront cost broadband packages. This provider is known for its wide array of broadband and TV deals, including film, television and sports packages, making it the perfect choice for entertainment fans. Our survey revealed Sky to be one of the most popular broadband providers in the country, with 24 per cent of respondents using the service.
Virgin Media’s cable system is widely available across Manchester, making it a reliable choice for most households. The provider offers broadband-only, broadband and phone and broadband and TV services, giving new customers a wide range of options.
Compare Virgin Media broadband deals
Manchester households with a Vodafone phone plan can save up to £4 per month on their broadband deal. The provider currently offers speeds of up to 1,600Mbps to Manchester residents and, according to our survey, is one of the best value for money providers available in the city.
Compare Vodafone broadband deals
Manchester residents who don’t mind committing to a 24-month contract should consider partnering with Plusnet. The provider offers speeds of up to 900Mbps, and packages start from just £25.99. Plusnet is our current pick for the best customer service provider, proving its worth as a reliable brand.
Compare Plusnet broadband deals
NOW offers just three broadband deals to eligible Manchester households. The company is renowned for its low prices and no upfront costs, with the cheapest package starting at just £24 per month. NOW also offers speed and wifi guarantees, ensuring you experience stable and full internet coverage throughout the home.
Compare NOW broadband deals
Ideal for TV and cinema fans alike, TalkTalk broadband can be paired with Netflix, NOW TV, NOW Cinema and NOW Sports. Each deal comes with a brand-new router and HomeSafe web filter, allowing parents to easily block inappropriate content.
Compare TalkTalk broadband deals
Students in Manchester should look into Hyperoptic’s monthly rolling contracts, which offer more flexibility than regular contracts. With 100 per cent of Hyperoptic survey respondents claiming they were satisfied with the service, it is one of the most reliable broadband providers in Manchester.
Compare Hyperoptic broadband deals
Based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, Zen Internet is a smaller provider that serves 500,000 postcodes[3] across the country. With speeds of up to 900Mbps, it offers gaming broadband packages, making it a great choice for Manchester residents who need speeds fast enough to stream and game online.
As you compare the best broadband providers in Manchester, you want to ensure you get reliable speeds at a price that suits your budget. To that end, there are certain criteria to consider.
Speed
Some of the best Manchester broadband deals offer speeds up to 1,130Mbps. However, not everyone will be able to receive such high speeds – it will depend on the available broadband providers in your area. Using our postcode checker is the fastest and most reliable way to confirm the companies that operate in your region.
Price
Higher broadband speeds, as well as packages including a landline or TV subscription, will be more costly. Before committing to a provider, consider the needs of your household and what you are comfortable spending, keeping in mind any additional costs, such as activation fees.
Contract length
Some providers offer shorter contract periods or no-contract broadband packages, which may work well for those living in rented accommodation. Longer contracts, however, are usually more cost-effective.
Customer service
Knowing the reliability of your new broadband provider will give you peace of mind, as you can expect any issues will be resolved quickly. Take a look at our broadband providers survey for an in-depth report on each provider’s strong suits and level of reliability.
Our survey revealed the average broadband speed in Manchester is 145Mbps. However, the actual speeds you receive will depend on the providers in your area, your existing infrastructure and which package you sign up for.
Below are the advertised and actual speeds respondents receive in Manchester. Keep in mind that these results are not completely dependent on broadband availability but will also be impacted by other factors, such as budgetary considerations and personal preferences.
Manchester homes can benefit from four different types of broadband. However, not every postcode will receive the same support or coverage. Fibre broadband is the fastest type of broadband and is still being rolled out across the country, with 135,000 households in Manchester currently having access to fibre to the premises (FTTP).
Survey of broadband customers aged between 24 and 64 conducted on Censuswide, 11-14 March 2024. Survey sample: 2,003 respondents from Sky (489), BT Broadband (412), Virgin Media (396), EE (134), Vodafone (124), Other (102), Plusnet (66), NOW Broadband (45), Three (31), Hyperoptic (14), Community Fibre (8) and Unsure (7). Respondents who selected Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Other or Unsure were discarded from our review; however, the information gathered for Hyperoptic and Community Fibre was used in our broadband providers evaluation. Respondents were asked to rate each category on a five-point scale, from “Very Poor” to “Excellent” or from “Never” to “Always”, with the option of selecting “Don’t Know” for all questions. For the third question (“What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider?”), respondents could select from the following: “Price Hikes”, “Slow Speeds”, “High Prices”, “Frequent Disconnections”, “Poor Customer Service”, “Billing Issues”, “Other” and “N/A”. The questions used to calculate our score were: “How often, if at all, do you feel the actual speed of your broadband service matches the advertised speed?” “How would you rate your experience with customer service and support from your broadband provider?” “What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider? (Select all that apply)”, “How easy or difficult is it/would it be to reach your provider using your preferred method?” “How do you rate the value for money of your broadband service?” and “How would you rate the transparency of pricing and additional fees in your broadband service?”.
[1] Ofcom, Faster full-fibre broadband now available to over half of UK homes, September 2023
[2] Openreach, UK broadband enjoys a record-breaking 2023, January 2024
[3] Zen, Why Zen?
If you want reliable broadband speed in Manchester, look for companies offering high speeds in your immediate area. A resident of Salford may receive different speeds than someone living in Rochdale, for example, so only consider providers that boast high speeds near you.
Once installed, ensure your router is placed in a good location where the signal can reach different areas of the home. If you have uneven coverage, consider buying a wifi booster to extend the range. To create a stronger connection, make sure you disconnect devices you are not currently using.
If you regularly stream content, you will need a faster broadband connection. For a smooth experience, we recommend choosing a package with a rate of at least 20-30Mbps. If you tend to stream 4K or HDR content, look for a minimum of 50Mbps.
