The growing need for more speed

There was a time when using the internet meant doing one thing at a time.

Checking emails. Browsing the web. Maybe downloading a couple of photos and hoping nobody picked up the phone while you were at it.

That wasn’t long ago. But in a short space of time the way we use the internet has changed completely.

Today, our connection is the backbone of how we work, relax, stay in touch and run our homes. We rely on it constantly, often without thinking about it. And as that reliance has grown, so has the need for more speed.

How our everyday internet use has changed

Around ten years ago, a typical household internet connection had a pretty simple job.

Streaming existed, but mostly in standard definition. Video calls were occasional. Cloud storage was still finding its feet. And most homes had a laptop, maybe a tablet, and a phone or two sharing the connection.

Nowadays, the picture looks very different

Streaming is HD (or even higher) by default. Video calls are a daily fixture for work, family and friends. Photos and videos are backed up automatically. Software updates run quietly in the background. And that’s before you get to gaming, smart TVs, doorbells, speakers, watches and everything else that we take for granted.

It hasn’t happened overnight, but over time it’s added up.

More devices, more data - all at the same time

One of the biggest changes is how much we now do at once.

In many homes, multiple people are online at the same time, each doing something different. A film streaming in the living room. A video call in the kitchen. Someone gaming upstairs. Phones syncing photos. A smart speaker listening to voice commands. A console downloading an update in the background.

Even in solo households, things have shifted. Working from home, streaming music all day, uploading files, backing up data, and relying on cloud-based tools means our broadband is under constant demand.

Older, slower connections were never designed for this kind of shared, always-on use. Which is where those familiar frustrations creep in - buffering videos, lag during calls, or things slowing down when everyone’s online.

Speed’s not about bragging rights anymore

It’s easy to think of faster broadband as a luxury. Something impressive, rather than essential.

But now, speed has become far more important. It’s about ensuring a reliable connection that works the way we want it to when we need it to.

A faster connection gives your household more headroom. It means things can happen at the same time without competing for bandwidth. You’ll notice it in smoother streaming, clearer calls, quicker uploads and fewer slowdowns when demand is highest.

Upload speed matters more now too. Video calls, sharing large files, backing up photos and videos and lots more all rely on data going out as well as coming in.

It's nice to see a bigger number on a speed test, but you really feel the difference in a calmer, more dependable experience that fits around your real life.

Why full fibre changes the picture

If your connection is starting to frustrate, the solution is actually pretty simple.

Unlike older copper-based broadband, full fibre uses fibre-optic cables all the way to your home, bringing higher speeds, better stability and far more capacity for modern internet use.

If your connection is struggling to keep up, it’s rarely because you’re using it more than the average person. More likely, it simply reflects how everyday internet use has moved on.

Switching to full fibre - or moving to a higher speed package if you’re already on it - is about matching your broadband to how you actually live now, not how households worked a decade ago.

It’s built for the future too

If you look back just five years, plenty of things we now take for granted felt optional or excessive.

Higher-quality streaming. Always-on video calls. Automatic cloud backups. Smart devices dotted around the home.

The direction of travel is clear. Our reliance on fast, stable internet is only increasing, even if the individual changes feel small at the time.

Choosing a connection with room to grow gives you breathing space. It helps ensure your broadband keeps pace as your needs evolve.

And when it comes to keeping up with our needs for years to come, it’s clear that full fibre is the future.

Ready when you are

At Zen, we’ve always believed broadband should fit around people - not the other way round.

Whether that means switching to full fibre for the first time or boosting your speed to better match your day-to-day life, the right connection helps everything else run more smoothly.

Because the internet has changed. The way we live has changed. And when you’re ready for more speed, better reliability and a connection built for modern life, it helps to know your broadband is ready when you are.

Enter your postcode here and find out what full fibre could do for your home, or how fast you can go.