Let’s be clear from the outset – Now Brilliant Broadband falls far below the median average download speed of UK home broadband connections which currently around 60 Mbps according to Ofcom data.
Contents
11 Mpbs
1 Mpbs
£20.00
12 Month Saver
NOW Brilliant Broadband is NOW’s basic broadband package, priced at £20 per month. With an estimated download speed range of 11.2-17.9Mbps and a guaranteed minimum of 8.2 Mbps, even during peak times, it’s suitable for basic everyday tasks and browsing.
Where this package struggles is on speed. It’s really worth comparing it with NOW’s other packages. The Fab Fibre has download speeds of 36-37 Mbps for just £22 a month, while Super Fibre provides a range to 45-50 Mbps, again priced at £22 a month. Of course, have a good look at each package’s details before making a decision, but for what it’s worth, we suggest going for Super Fibre – a massive bump up in speed for just £2 extra per month.
When gauging the fibre broadband landscape, it’s essential to see where Now Broadband stands. Looking at their three packages (Brilliant Broaband, Fab Broadband, and Super Fibre), the table below provides competitive speeds up and down including their minimum gaurenteed speed.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Package Price | £20.00 per month |
| Upfront Cost | £5.00 NOW Hub Delivery Charge |
| Est. First Year Cost | £240.00 (Monthly cost * 12) |
| Download Speed | 11.2-17.9 Mbps estimated |
| Upload Speed | 0.8-1.1 Mbps estimated |
| Broadband | Brilliant Broadband |
| Router | Powerful NOW Router |
| Packages Available | Broadband only, Broadband & phone (Based on the available call packages) |
| Contract Length | 12 months |
| Slow Bandwidth Activities (Up to 1 Mbps) | ∼ 11-17 Activities (e.g., Emails, Streaming music or podcasts, VoIP calls, Smart home devices, Browsing social media) |
| Medium Bandwidth Activities (1–4 Mbps) | ∼ 3-4 Activities (e.g., Personal video calls, Internet gaming on a console, Streaming video in SD, General internet browsing) |
| Fast Bandwidth Activities (5–15 Mbps) | Limited due to speed constraints |
| Very Fast Bandwidth Activities (16–25 Mbps) | Not applicable due to speed constraints |
The short answer is that 11 Mbps is not very fast at all. It might work for casual browsing, sending emails, or scrolling through social media, but by today’s standards with HD streaming and constant use of the internet we demand a lot more from our broadband. We would advise to only take this package if there are no other options on the market.
Pairing the Super Fibre package with the Entertainment Membership for just £6.99 per month for half a year is a deal not to be missed. You’ll unlock:
At the special rate of £6.99 for the initial 6 months, the Entertainment Membership introduces you to a world of premium content that would otherwise be more expensive if subscribed to separately. The combined allure of HBO box sets and Sky Originals can furnish you with endless high-quality viewing hours. Thus, it’s an unbeatable value proposition alongside your broadband.
However, there are a few points to bear in mind:
If an entertainment-rich, cost-effective package is your pursuit, look no further.
Alongside the broadband offerings, Brilliant Broadband allows you to opt for call packages tailored to your requirements:
This zero-extra cost option is ideal if your landline usage is sparse. You’re charged only for the minutes utilized, with the line rental already embedded in the broadband package’s cost.
For a supplementary £4 monthly, this package is tailor-made for individuals who primarily dial out during evenings and weekends.
Priced at £8 monthly, this plan grants you the liberty to call anytime without fretting over extra charges.
Offering an average speed of 11Mbps, it’s appropriately suited for everyday online tasks such as browsing, light streaming, and downloading standard files. While this might not support 4K streaming or heavy online gaming, it’s more than sufficient for regular online viewing or the occasional Skype or Zoom call. And with a price tag of £20 per month, it’s an economical choice.
However, there are aspects that some users might find less appealing. The 12-month contract or the one-month option with a £60 upfront fee may seem restrictive to those in search of greater flexibility. And while the service is economical, some might find better deals with competitors offering higher speeds at a slightly higher price point.
In our final take? NOW Brilliant Broadband is ideal for those seeking a basic, affordable broadband connection, especially if they’re not heavy internet users. However, it might not be the best fit for everyone, especially larger households or heavy streamers. For those curious about other broadband offers, we’ve compiled a list of deals below.
According to USwitch stats, nearly 99% of the UK now has fibre broadband of some kind, whether it be FTTC, VDSL, G. fast, cable, or FTTP. However, full fibre which is a much newer type of broadband using fibre optic cable all the way to your home is only available to around 44% of UK. To get an accurate answer for whether BT Full Fibre 100 is available in your area it’s recommended that you visit their website.
The short answer is yes. For most households, BT Full Fibre 100 reaching 150Mbps is fast enough to support multiple users and devices simultaneously, including streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. This is more than enough for a couple living together or even a mid to large household.
Full Fibre offers significantly higher download and upload speeds as it uses fibre cable all the way to your property (FTTH), whereas BT Fibre 1 and BT Fibre 2 use a combination of fibre and copper cabling, which results in slower speeds. As a comparison, Fibre 1 offers average download speeds of 50Mbps, Fibre 2 offers 67Mbps, and Full Fibre 100 speeds of around 150Mbps.
Note: Deals on Broadband is a comparison website for broadband providers. We don’t own any services and make a small commission by linking customers to provider websites. Broadband deals and packages change frequently. While we aim to keep all information on this site up-to-date, we strongly recommend checking the current information for each service provider for accurate and recent pricing, information, and terms and conditions.
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