Cable broadband explained

Cable broadband is the latest innovation in broadband technology in which your internet connection operates through a series of underground cables rather than through your phone line, as is the case with ADSL broadband.

The cable network in the UK is currently owned by Virgin Media and has been since 2006 and 65% of the UK have access to cable. Largely, cable is available in urban centres such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Cable broadband providers

Virgin Media is the UK's largest cable broadband provider offering home broadband users speedy reliable cable broadband, home phone and digital TV.

To find out more about Virgin Media and see all their products see our Virgin Media page

For more information on how UK Cable broadband works you can check out our guide to Cable broadband - What is cable broadband?

Cable broadband benefits

• Lightning speeds
• Sustained, reliable connection which result from transmission through fibre-optic material rather than ordinary copper wires.
• Option to receive cable TV and excellent deals on phone calls with packages such as Virgin’s XL.

Compare the fastest cable broadband deals 50Mb broadband

The most efficient connection available from a basic ADSL ISP wavers around 8Mb, with speeds as much as double this from the more advanced (but less available) ADSL2+ technology. However, with Virgin, the UK’s sole cable broadband provider, you could benefit from an ultra fast 20Mb connection.

The efficient connection that is supplied by cable broadband is perfect for those with busy lifestyles. In light of this, cable broadband is best suited to city-dwelling young professionals who enjoy a luxurious entertainment lifestyle and want to maximise their internet usage by enjoying download-intensive pursuits such as live TV streaming and gaming.

Fast cable broadband

As cable broadband travels along fibre-optic cables as opposed to copper phone wires, your broadband connection can travel faster bringing you faster download speeds. ADSL (copper wire) broadband speeds drop significantly the further you are from your local telephone exchange, but with cable broadband you less speed is lost over distance meaning faster speeds for all.

Is fast broadband what you're after? Compare all fast broadband deals.

Cheap cable broadband

As your broadband connection runs over cables not wires, you do not have to have a home phone connection in order to avail of cable broadband saving you on average £11 a month.

Compare all cheap broadband deals here Cheap Broadband

Virgin cable broadband is not the only way to get a great TV and broadband package: Check out all the great broadband and digital TV bundles here Broadband & digital TV

Confused about choosing UK cable broadband compared to other types of UK broadband? Our guide to broadband connection could help.