SSE broadband Overview
SSE is a multi-functional company offering energy, broadband, boilers, and heating. Is their multi-pronged approach working? What are their broadband services like? We answer everything you need to know about SSE broadband below.
What does SSE broadband offer?
SSE broadband speed
SSE average speeds vs BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media
SSE | BT | Sky | TalkTalk | Virgin Media | |
ADSL download speed | N/A | 10Mb | 11Mb | 11Mb | N/A |
ADSL upload speed | N/A | 1Mb | 1Mb | 1Mb | N/A |
Fibre download speed | 35Mb / 63Mb | 36Mb / 50Mb / 67Mb | 59Mb | 38Mb / 67Mb | 54Mb / 108Mb / 213Mb / 362Mb / 516Mb |
Fibre upload speed | 9.5Mb / 19Mb | 9.5Mb / 19.5Mb | 19Mb | 9.5Mb / 19Mb | 5Mb / 10Mb / 20Mb / 36Mb |
SSE broadband offers a standard selection of speeds with its home broadband packages. Like most other ISPs, it uses the Openreach (BT line) network, so you have a choice of either 35Mb or 63Mb fibre.
SSE broadband value for money
SSE broadband cheapest package vs BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media
SSE Unlimited Fibre (35Mb) | BT Broadband (10Mb) / BT Fibre Essential (36Mb) | Sky Broadband Essential (11Mb) | TalkTalk Fast Broadband (11Mb) | Virgin Media M50 (54Mb) |
---|---|---|---|---|
£23 | £24.99 | £25 | £24.50 | £28 |
SSE is not the cheapest provider you’ll find, but it’s far from the most expensive. SSE only offers fibre optic packages, but these are good value, starting at £23 for 35Mb fibre and £26 for 63Mb.
Recently SSE has stopped offering the short term rolling monthly deals which were available until recently, as these types of packages are becoming increasingly hard to find. And the bundled router - while perfectly functional - is lacking some of the useful features you can find on more modern hardware.
Another thing to take note of is that SSE utilises traffic management to slow down certain activities. This won't be a problem for everyone but if it is going to affect you there are plenty of providers which offer completely unrestricted access.
What plans do SSE Broadband offer?
Product Name | Speed | Price | Contract Length | Description |
Unlimited Fibre | 35Mbps | £23per month | 18 months | Includes Line rental |
Unlimited Fibre Plus | 63Mbps | £26per month | 18 months | Includes Line rental |
SSE Broadband Coverage
Fibre broadband isn't available nationwide in the UK yet, however according to Ofcom, 94% of homes and businesses in the UK have access to superfast broadband. So more than likely, you are in a part of the country that can get SSE broadband. You can check their coverage checker on their website to see if your home is eligible.
SSE Broadband Contract Periods
SSE Broadband have a minimum 18 month contract length. This isn’t ideal for those who like to be flexible and are thinking of moving, however it saves having to reevaluate your broadband every year.
SSE Broadband for business
SSE do not offer broadband packages for businesses. They offer green energy electricity and gas packages for all kinds of businesses.
What perks do SSE Broadband offer?
There’s an SSE Rewards program which offers customers exclusive tickets at SSE venues including the SSE Arena Wembley.
One of the highlights of SSE’s service is their 60 day “Happiness Guarantee” which allows you to cancel your SSE broadband package for free within 60 days if you’re unhappy with the service.
You also get a free subscription to the Netintelligence Internet Security Suite, which provides antivirus and parental controls.
Can I get a landline with SSE Broadband?
SSE broadband packages are available with line rental only and pay-as-you-use calls, which is what you should choose if you don’t often make landline calls. If you do use the phone frequently it’s usually best to get an inclusive calling package as it will save money in the long run.
SSE offers three bundles:
- Evening & Weekend. £5. Inclusive calls to local, national and UK mobile numbers in the evening and weekend.
- Anytime. £10. Inclusive calls to local, national and UK mobile numbers at any time.
- Anytime Plus. £12. As Anytime, plus international calls to 35 countries.
In conclusion, SSE is quite good value for money overall. It doesn’t skimp on features, which is reflected in its mid-range pricing. Its monthly prices are reasonable, and it includes a couple of handy extras. The 60 days free cancellation period is a nice way to try it out and see how it works for you.
SSE broadband is a good choice if you’re simply after decent broadband on a budget. But if you would benefit from the extra features (such as TV bundles) available with some other ISPs then you might find its range a little too limited.
How can I contact SSE Broadband?
To enquire, or check your service, call 0345 071 9886. SSE UK have a good rating of 4.3 on Trustpilot, and garner positive reviews across the internet.