Broadband speed can absolutely be a deciding factor when buying a house, especially now that remote work, streaming, and smart home tech are common.
Here’s how to think about it:
1. Check actual broadband availability (not just advertised speeds)
- Use the Ofcom broadband availability checker to see which ISPs serve the address and what speeds are really available.
- Some areas only FTTC which has fibre to the cabinet then uses the existing copper network to the property, while others (like Broadband for Surrey Hills, or B4SH as we are known) have fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) – a huge difference in performance and reliability.
2. Decide what speed your household needs
A rough guide:
| Household Use | Typical Activities | Minimum Recommended Speed |
| Light use | Browsing, email, streaming HD | 25–50 Mbps |
| Moderate use | Multiple HD streams, video calls, cloud storage | 100–200 Mbps |
| Heavy use | 4K streaming, gaming, smart devices, home office | 300–1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
3. Look at reliability, not just speed
- Read local reviews or use thinkbroadband.comto gauge consistency and outages. B4SH has an excellent reputation for reliability and customer support. We monitor the network and most faults are fixed within 24 hours of them being reported.
4. Consider future needs
Even if current speeds are “fine,” fibre-ready properties hold better resale value.
- Fibre connections (FTTP or equivalent) are becoming a standard expectation in many markets.
- A house without high-speed access may lose appeal over time.
5. Verify connections physically
When viewing the property:
- Ask the seller/estate agent what provider they use and actual measured speeds Try testing from the property on speedtest.net.
- Check if fibre or coaxial cabling physically reaches the property; sometimes “available” means nearby, not at the home/property.
6. Negotiation or planning
If the house lacks decent broadband:
- Factor in potential installation costs (eg running a new fibre line).
- Sometimes you can use this to negotiate the price or ask the seller to arrange installation before confirming your offer.
| Factor | Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) | Fibre to the premises (FTTP) |
| Speed | ⚙️ Moderate | 🚀 Ultra-fast |
| Reliability | ⚠️ Variable (depends on copper length) | ✅ Excellent |
| Upload speed | 🔻 Limited | ⬆️ High |
| Futureproof | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Property value | Neutral | Positive impact |
If you are looking to buy or rent a property in the Surrey Hills, get in touch with B4SH to see how quickly we can connect you. Contact us at this link B4SH.
