Broadband in Reading: your questions answered

Point Topic estimated that about 89% of premises in Reading Borough had full fibre coverage at the end of 2024. Coverage figures describe the whole area, so check your own postcode to be sure.

Enter your postcode in our availability checker. It shows which Carnival packages you can get at your address.

We offer three packages: Go, Boost and Max. Most are full fibre, and Max is our fastest, at up to 900 Mbps. See packages and prices in Reading.

Full fibre runs on fibre-optic cable all the way to your home. Standard broadband uses copper for the last stretch, which slows it down over distance. Full fibre is faster and more reliable, with much faster upload speeds.

No. Full fibre runs over its own fibre-optic connection, so you don't need a phone line. Carnival doesn't sell home phone services.

Under Ofcom's One Touch Switch rules, your new provider arranges the switch for you, so you don't need to contact your old provider first. Check whether your current contract has early exit fees before you switch.

Yes. Monthly prices go up by £3 each April. Full details are in our prices and charges guide.

You can choose to add a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router, and eero mesh systems are available for larger homes or homes with thick walls. Routers are optional and charged separately: see our prices and charges guide.

Most homes need less download speed than they think, but more upload than they get. Our broadband speed guide explains what different households need.

Yes. Fast upload speeds help with video calls, cloud backups and large files. Read our guide to broadband for working from home in Reading.

Yes. Read our guides to broadband in Caversham, Earley, Tilehurst and Woodley.