4th Utility broadband is growing in both customer numbers and network reach. There’s plenty to recommend this provider, so it’s well worth checking to see if it’s available where you live. Just scroll up and put your postcode in to see what deals and speeds you can get.

Or read on for more information about 4th Utility and answers to common questions.

What is 4th Utility broadband?

4th Utility is a broadband provider that gets its name from its philosophy that broadband is an essential household service - the ‘fourth utility’ after water, gas and electricity. It started life in 2017 as a Manchester-based provider, focusing on the student broadband market. Since then, it has moved to Hale in Cheshire and expanded its network to cover many parts of the UK. The company continues to see significant growth.

In October 2025, 4th Utility won gold at the UK Customer Experience Awards in the category of ‘Best Customer Experience for Vulnerable Customers’.

4th Utility is an altnet, so unlike most broadband providers, it doesn’t use the BT Openreach network to deliver its services. As well as laying its own cables, 4th Utility works with other independent infrastructure providers (including CityFibre) to create its broadband network.

What 4th Utility broadband packages are available?

4th Utility delivers its broadband exclusively through fibre optic cables, so all its packages are full fibre.

The range of speeds available to you from 4th Utility depends on where you live. Your location will also influence the pricing and contract lengths on offer. Most areas within reach of the 4th Utility network can get the following speeds:

  • 150 Mbps
  • 200 Mbps
  • 250 Mbps
  • 300 Mbps
  • 500 Mbps
  • 900 Mbps

Some parts of the UK can also get gigabit broadband packages at 1 Gbps or 2.3 Gbps.

As of November 2025, most of the areas served by 4th Utility can get a 12 month or 24 month contract with this provider. Some parts of the UK also have the option of a 30 day rolling deal. If you’re looking for a one-month deal and 4th Utility isn’t offering one in your area, check out our short-term and no-contract broadband deals from other providers.

All 4th Utility deals are broadband only. If you’re looking to get digital TV channels as part of your internet package, check out our TV and broadband deals to see what other providers are offering.

How fast are 4th Utility broadband speeds?

The speeds you can get from 4th Utility will depend on where you live. Some lucky parts of the UK can get the very fastest speed categories of 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) and 2.3 Gbps (2,300 Mbps). In most areas, the fastest service is 900 Mbps.

The slowest commercial package from 4th Utility is a very respectable 150 Mbps - fast enough for a multi-person household to stream Netflix and make video calls. For more information about what the numbers actually mean, check out our guide to what broadband speed you need.

4th Utility's social tariff broadband is 30 Mbps. That’s pretty standard, as social tariff broadband tends to be much slower than commercially available deals.

What are the benefits of 4th Utility internet packages?

  • Wide range of speeds
  • Award-winning service
  • ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot (as of November 2025)
  • Competitive prices
  • A choice of 12 month and 24 month deals

What contract lengths can I get with 4th Utility broadband?

Most fixed-line providers prefer to lock you in for 24 months, so it’s refreshing to find this one offering a choice of 12 month contracts as well as longer terms.

As of November 2025, most 4th Utility broadband deals are for either 12 months or 24 months. In some parts of the UK, it also offers a 3 -day option.

With broadband there’s usually a trade-off between contract length and price. As a general rule, short-term and no-contract broadband costs more per month than longer-term deals because you’re paying for that flexibility. 4th Utility deals usually follow this pattern. As an example, here’s what you would pay for 250 Mbps broadband if you live in an area offering this speed category.

  • On a 30 day contract: from £41 a month
  • On a 12 month contract: from £31 a month
  • On a 24 month contract: from £22 a month

The above prices are correct as of November 2025 and not part of any promotional deal.

How much does 4th Utility broadband cost?

As we write this in November 2025, it is running a Black Friday promotion where many deals have a discounted rate for the first 12 months.

4th Utility might vary its rates for the same package depending on where you live. Discounts and promotions are also different for different regions.

At the time of writing, here are some examples of 4th Utility deals available on the table at the top of this page:

  • 150 Mbps: 24-month contract, £15 for the first 12 months, then it increases to £21
  • 1 Gbps: 24-month contract, £19 for the first 12 months, then it increases to £27

The quickest way to get an accurate, up-to-date price for where you live is to use the address checker on this page - just scroll up.

Is 4th Utility broadband any good? What do the reviews say…

As of November 2025, 4th Utility has a rating of 4.3 on Trustpilot. That puts it in the ‘Excellent’ category. Recent reviews are complimentary about the sales team, the tech support and the engineers who install 4th Utility connections.

Does 4th Utility offer full fibre 1 Gbps broadband?

Yes it does, although the top speed you can actually get from 4th Utility depends on where you live.

In some areas, 4th Utility’s fastest packages are 1Gbps (1,000Mbps) and 2.3Gbps (2,300Mbps).

In other locations, like Go.Compare’s home city of Cardiff, the top speed on offer is 900 Mbps. That’s just below the gigabit broadband threshold but still more than fast enough for most people.

Using our address checker at the top of this page is the quickest way to find out whether or not 4th Utility serves your area and what is the fastest speed on offer.

Use our bandwidth calculator to work out what broadband speed your household actually needs.

What 4th Utility social tariff broadband is available?

The 4th Utility social tariff costs £13.99 a month and offers an average speed of 30Mbps.

So if you’re within reach of the 4th Utility network and don’t have much money coming in, you could qualify for a cheaper broadband service.

Social tariff broadband is aimed at people on low incomes, so you almost always have to be getting means-tested benefits to quality. You can get the 4th Utility social tariff if you’re claiming any of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Pension Credit

What 4th Utility broadband-only contracts are available?

4th Utility has broadband-only contracts at the following speeds:

  • 150 Mbps
  • 200 Mbps
  • 250 Mbps
  • 300 Mbps
  • 500 Mbps
  • 900 Mbps
  • 1 Gbps
  • 2.3 Gbps

Not all customers will be able to get the gigafast speeds (1 Gbps and 2.3 Gbps). The speed you can actually get depends on where you live and the infrastructure in your area

All contracts have a 24 month minimum term and free installation.

As we write this in November 2025, 4th Utility is one of many providers offering Black Friday broadband discounts so all the deals above are being offered at a promotional rate.

Can I get 4th Utility broadband in my area?

Use our postcode checker to see if you can get 4th Utility broadband where you live.

Offering premium broadband services throughout the UK, 4th Utility specialises in working with landlords and property developers to install FTTP at the time of construction or upgrading buildings to bring FTTP to residents.

If you’re interested in 4th Utility broadband and planning on renting or buying a new-build property currently under construction, check with your landlord or property manager to see whether 4th Utility is an option for you.

As well as installing its own cables, 4th Utility also uses the CityFibre network. This has allowed it to expand its network coverage far beyond its native Manchester. The quickest way to find out if 4th Utility broadband is available in your area is to use our postcode checker. Scroll up this page, put your postcode in and select your address from the dropdown.

Compare 4th Utility broadband deals

4th Utility is an altnet, which means it doesn’t use the BT Openreach network used by most broadband providers. Altnets can provide speedy, great-value broadband but their networks tend to have a limited geographical reach. If your address isn’t covered, you can’t become a customer.

We have a number of altnets on our panel of trusted providers. If you do a postcode search on our main broadband deals page, we’ll show you all the providers on our panel who cover your address, including any altnets.

While most altnets cover a relatively small area - for example, you won’t get WightFibre service on the mainland - some have a broader reach than others. Bigger altnets include:

To find the best possible deal for you, we’d recommend you check out what’s on offer from every provider who serves your address. Head to our broadband deals page to see all the deals from our trusted providers - including some Go.Compare exclusives.

Is it easy to switch to 4th Utility broadband?

Yes, switching to 4th Utility broadband is easy if:

  • Your address is covered by their network and
  • You’re out of contract with your current provider

To find out if your address is in the network:

  1. Scroll up this page to put your postcode into our address checker
  2. Select your address from the dropdown
  3. Tell us who your current provider is
  4. Scroll down again to see your options

If 4th Utility is available for your address, you’ll see a range of 4th Utility broadband deals to choose from. (You might also see a Featured Offer from a different provider in a yellow box.)

When you’ve picked a 4th Utility deal, just select ‘Get deal’ to go ahead with signing up.

Switching broadband providers is simpler than it used to be, thanks to a process called One Touch Switch. You don’t need to coordinate a switchover date with your current provider any more. You don’t even need to tell them you’re leaving!

If your address isn’t covered by 4th Utility, a Go.Compare search on this page will show you other options.

FAQs

What router do you get with 4th Utility?

As of November 2025, everyone signing up for a 4th Utility broadband package gets an Icotera I4850 router as standard. The manufacturer describes this as a ‘best-in-class Wi-Fi solution’.

When you place an order for 4th Utility broadband, you’ll be asked to choose a date for an engineer appointment. Usually the engineer creates a connection point just inside your home, usually at the first or second power socket. It could be in a different location if there’s a reason for that - for example, if you’re in a flat and your building management company says it has to be in a cupboard.

The engineer will install what they call a Fibre Termination Point close to the chosen power socket. The router then connects to both the Fibre Termination Point and the power supply.

Your router will arrive in the post. YouTube has a video tutorial on how to set up the Icotera router for your 4th Utility service.

Can I use my own router?

4th Utility fully supports customers who prefer to use their own router, although you’ll have to do the configuration work yourself. To connect to 4th Utility broadband using your own router, you’ll need a device called a Bridge that they will supply free of charge. They can’t provide full instructions because every router is different, so to give an idea they have given the example of setting up a TP Link router in their FAQs.

Is a five year old router outdated?

In general, five years old is pretty old for a broadband router because the technology moves on so fast. The issue isn’t the actual age, it’s about whether or not the router is still delivering a secure, fast connection. If you’ve noticed any problems, try a quick websearch to see if there are known issues with it:

  • If the router was supplied by your broadband provider, there should be information on their website about whether they still issue this type of router- or contact them to ask if you need an upgrade
  • If you’re using your own router, check the manufacturer’s website to see if it still gets firmware updates

Some existing 4th Utility customers have the older Dasan router. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this router, but if you’re one of these customers then it’s a sign that you’ve stayed with the same provider for a long time. We recommend checking out your options as soon as the minimum term of your contract is up. Why not take a minute or two to compare the broadband deals available and see if you can get a better deal by switching?

Does 4th Utility do mid-contract price rises?

Yes. Most broadband providers put their prices up in the spring, and 4th Utility is no exception. Monthly prices rise every March by £3.

As well as mid-contract price hikes, watch out for promotional pricing coming to an end. Discounts and promotions are great for savvy shoppers. Just make sure you’ve factored in the costs once that promotional period is up.

As we write this in November 2025, 4th Utility is offering a number of Black Friday broadband deals on 24 month contracts. Most of these discounts are for the first 12 months. There are shorter promotional discounts on some of the 12 month deals.

Does 4th Utility broadband offer deals for people on Universal Credit?

Yes, 4th Utility offers cheaper broadband for people on Universal Credit. As of November 2025, the 4th Utility social tariff costs £13.99 a month. The speed you’ll get is 30 Mbps, which is much slower than most broadband these days but not bad for a social tariff service.

You’re eligible for the 4th Utility social tariff if you can prove you receive one of the following:

  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit

How to contact 4th Utility broadband

Your first port of call is the help and support page of the 4th Utility site. Try searching the FAQs for an answer to your query first.

If you’ve checked the FAQs and still need to ring 4th Utility, the number is 0333 888 4050.

The website also gives the option to chat with us on WhatsApp, which puts you in touch with a chatbot

Catherine Hiley

Catherine Hiley

Managing Editor for Broadband and Mobile

Reviewed by Kate Griffin

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Page last updated 19 January 2026