Check broadband availability at a specific address before arranging a viewing. Ultrafast, superfast and standard availability from Ofcom data, plus mobile coverage for all four major networks.
For a growing number of UK buyers, broadband connectivity is not an afterthought. It is a requirement that shapes whether a property is practically usable for the way they work and live. A property without access to fast, reliable broadband may be unsuitable for remote working, streaming-dependent households, or families with multiple users online simultaneously.
The problem is that broadband availability at a specific address is not included in property listings, and area-level broadband statistics can be misleading. A postcode that is served by full-fibre infrastructure may still contain individual properties connected only by ageing copper cable, delivering a fraction of the speeds available nearby.
Checking broadband availability at the specific address before arranging a viewing means you avoid discovering the connectivity position after committing time and emotional investment to a property.
South Facing Garden includes Ofcom-sourced broadband availability data for every UK address as part of the free property report, alongside garden direction, flood risk, schools, crime, EPC and more. All checks are listed on the Property Check Before Viewing page.
Why advertised speeds may differ from a specific address
Broadband providers advertise speeds in terms of what is technically achievable on their network in the best conditions. The speed available at a specific property depends on several factors that vary address by address.
For traditional copper-based connections, distance from the street cabinet is the dominant factor. Properties close to the cabinet may achieve close to the advertised speed. Properties further away may receive significantly less, because the electrical signal degrades over copper wire. Two properties on the same street, with the same provider and the same package, can have meaningfully different speeds.
Full-fibre connections, where the fibre cable runs directly to the property, are much less affected by distance and generally deliver more consistent speeds. However, full-fibre availability is not universal, and even in areas where it is being rolled out, individual properties may not yet be connected.
Broadband technology types explained
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Standard broadband
Speeds typically below 30Mbps. Usually delivered over a copper telephone line. Adequate for basic browsing and single-user video calls but likely to struggle with multiple simultaneous users or high-definition streaming.
Below 30Mbps typical download speed
Copper telephone line connection
Speed depends heavily on distance from cabinet
Less suitable for home working households
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Superfast broadband
Speeds between 30Mbps and 300Mbps. Typically delivered via fibre to a street cabinet, with a copper connection from cabinet to property. Suitable for most households including those working from home.
30Mbps to 300Mbps typical download speed
Fibre to cabinet, copper to property
Handles multiple users and HD streaming
Most widely available faster broadband type
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Ultrafast broadband
Speeds above 300Mbps. Full fibre connection directly to the property. Highly consistent speeds regardless of distance. Increasingly available as national rollout continues.
300Mbps and above download speed
Full fibre directly to the property
Consistent speeds for all users
Best option for demanding households
Why broadband matters for home working and modern households
The shift towards remote and hybrid working has made broadband speed a significant factor in property decisions in a way that was not the case ten years ago. A buyer who works from home full time needs a connection that can handle video calls, large file transfers and cloud-based applications without interruption. A connection that is adequate for casual evening browsing may not be reliable enough for professional use during the working day.
Households with children also place significant demands on broadband. Online schoolwork, gaming, streaming and multiple devices active simultaneously can strain a standard broadband connection to the point of making it unusable. Upgrading broadband infrastructure at a property is not always possible, particularly in rural areas, making it essential to check availability before buying rather than after.
Mobile coverage is a related consideration. South Facing Garden includes outdoor mobile coverage for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three at the specific address. Poor indoor signal is a common discovery after moving in, particularly in older properties with thick walls. We recommend checking signal inside the property during a viewing, as outdoor coverage does not always translate to reliable indoor signal.
What the availability information tells you and what it does not
The broadband data in South Facing Garden shows what technology is available at the address based on Ofcom's infrastructure records. It indicates whether ultrafast, superfast or standard broadband can be accessed and provides estimated speed ranges.
It does not guarantee the speed you will receive. Actual performance depends on the provider, the specific package, the equipment in the property, internal wiring and how many users are active. For the most accurate picture of what a specific property can receive, we recommend contacting providers directly using the full postcode and, where possible, the property's registered address, after you have decided to proceed with a viewing.
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Please note: Broadband information in South Facing Garden is based on Ofcom availability data and shows estimated availability and speed ranges at the address. It does not represent guaranteed speeds. Contact providers directly for accurate availability and speed information for a specific property.
South Facing Garden includes Ofcom predicted broadband availability for every UK residential address. Enter any address and the property report shows expected broadband technology and speeds at that specific address, including whether ultrafast, superfast or standard broadband is available. This is based on Ofcom's data by address rather than a general area estimate.
Broadband speeds depend on the technology available and, for older copper-based connections, the distance from the exchange or street cabinet to the property. Two houses on the same street can have very different speeds if one is significantly further from the cabinet. Area-level statistics can mask this variation. Checking availability at the specific address rather than the postcode gives a more accurate picture.
Standard broadband typically delivers speeds below 30Mbps and usually relies on a copper telephone line. Superfast broadband, generally defined as speeds of 30Mbps to 300Mbps, usually involves fibre to a street cabinet with a copper connection to the property. Ultrafast broadband delivers speeds above 300Mbps and typically involves full-fibre connection directly to the property. For home working, video calls and households with multiple users, superfast or ultrafast broadband is generally preferable.
Ofcom availability data shows what technology and predicted speeds are accessible at an address based on infrastructure records. Actual speeds depend on the specific provider, package, equipment, internal wiring, and how many users are active at any one time. The figures in the South Facing Garden report represent estimated availability, not a guaranteed speed. For the most accurate picture, contact providers directly with the property's full postcode after a viewing.
For many households, broadband has become as important as gas and electricity. Remote and hybrid working depends on a reliable, fast connection. Streaming video, video calls, smart home devices and households with several users place significant demand on a broadband connection. Discovering that a property can only access slow broadband after moving in is a common source of buyer regret, particularly for buyers who work from home.
Yes. The report includes outdoor mobile coverage information for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three at the specific address, alongside the broadband availability data. Indoor signal can vary significantly from outdoor coverage, particularly in older or thick-walled properties, so we recommend checking signal inside the property during a viewing.
South Facing Garden
Check broadband before you view
Broadband availability, mobile coverage, garden direction, flood risk, schools, crime, EPC and more for any UK address. Free, no account required.