About broadband

Zen delivers broadband as it should be. Our high-speed internet keeps homes and businesses throughout the UK connected. Let's look at some of the basics.

Broadband speeds are an important indicator of how quickly you will be able to carry out tasks online. They are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).

The download speed of your broadband connection indicates how fast you can get information from the internet to your device. This will help you to understand how quickly web pages might load, or how long it might take to download a movie or song.

Upload speed measure how quickly it takes to get information from your device to the internet. This is important when you’re uploading files to cloud storage or making video calls, for example.

The speed estimates we provide include three different things: your normally available download and upload speed and your minimum speed guarantee.

It’s important to know that the speed ranges we show are an estimate. We work out your broadband speeds from the home phone number or address you'd like connected. They’re based on homes with similar lines to yours, but there are other things than can affect the speed you’ll get.

The download and upload speeds available for your address are the estimated speeds between your wireless router and the internet at peak times (8pm – 10pm). We take account for any congestion experienced from the wireless router to the internet.

After placing your broadband order, we will email you with confirmation of your estimated speed and your minimum speed guarantee. Plus we’ll also give you details of the minimum upload speed and maximum speeds you can expect. The maximum speed is an indication of the speeds you can expect at off-peak periods when the network is quieter.

How our Minimum Speed guarantee work

You’ll get confirmation your own minimum guaranteed speed when you join us. If your Broadband speed drops below the minimum guaranteed and we can't fix it within 30 calendar days, you have the right to exit the contract without penalty. This is in accordance with Ofcom's Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/broadband-speeds-code-practice  

 

What speeds do we offer?

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Fast broadband

Average download 10Mbps*
Average upload 1Mbps

Great for:

  • Everyday web browsing
  • Sharing files and photos
  • Basic video & audio streaming
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Superfast fibre broadband

Average download 66Mbps*
Average upload 18Mbps

Great for:

  • Larger households
  • HD video streaming
  • Making video calls
  • Online gaming
  • Sharing large files
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Ultrafast fibre broadband

Average download 900Mbps*
Average upload 100Mbps

Great for:

  • Homes with multiple heavy users
  • 4K Ultra HD video
  • Large downloads
  • Regular data backups

*Average speeds are based on the download speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time across the network. Speed can be affected by a range of technical and environmental factors. The speed you receive where you live may be lower or higher than that listed above. Please note that these are average UK speeds, to see what speeds you are likely to achieve please enter your details on our line checker.

Lifetime fixed price guarantee logo
You'll keep the same monthly price on your monthly bundle when your 12, 18 or 24 month contract ends.

What speed do I need?

I use the internet for:
  • Checking social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Checking news sites
  • Reading and sending emails
  • Basic music and radio streaming
  • Limited downloads
Casual Internet User

We recommend

Fast broadband

We have a range of fast broadband packages to meet your needs at home.

I use the internet for:
  • TV catch up services (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub)
  • Downloading and streaming movies (Sky, Netflix, Amazon)
  • Video streaming sites (like YouTube)
  • Lots of music streaming
Film & TV User - Superfast or Ultrafast Broadband

We recommend

Superfast broadband

Great for watching live TV online or downloading movies quickly.

I use the internet for:
  • Downloading games and patches
  • Online gaming
  • Live game streaming
Gamer - Superfast or Ultrafast broadband user

We recommend

Superfast broadband

Great for playing console and PC games online, with low latency and fast downloads.

Ultrafast broadband

Great for large families of heavy internet users. An ideal choice for multiple HD video streams, heavy downloaders and those with multiple connected devices.

I use the internet for:
  • The whole family to be online at the same time
  • Multiple concurrent video and audio streams
  • Video calling
  • Sharing files and photos
Multiple Users - Superfast and Ultrafast broadband

We recommend

Superfast broadband

Great for keeping the whole family online. Takes Facebook updates, music downloads and YouTube streams in its stride.

Ultrafast broadband

Great for large families of heavy internet users. An ideal choice for multiple HD video streams, heavy downloaders and those with multiple connected devices.

How do you want to
choose your broadband?

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What can affect
broadband speeds?

We always want to provide you with the best possible speed for your service. However, this is subject to a number of factors. These include:

  • The distance from your home to the local BT exchange.
  • The distance from your home to the street cabinet.
  • The quality of the internal wiring in your home.
  • The age of your computer or router.
  • The type of connection to your router (wired or wireless).

 

Broadband FAQs

Broadband FAQs

Switching to Zen is as easy as one, two, three! Simply check your existing contract, pick your package and switch. You no longer need a MAC code to change your internet provider, just place your order with us and we’ll take care of the rest.

For full details, visit our home broadband how to switch page.

Yes you can. We appreciate that not all phone and broadband contracts run in sync, and that’s why we’ve made all our broadband products available with and without line rental. So if your broadband contract is up but your phone contract isn’t, you can still make the switch to Zen and simply add line rental at a later date if you wish.

It means exactly what it says. When you take your broadband with Zen, you can download and upload as much as you want and we’ll never slow you down. Unlike other providers, we don’t have a fair usage policy or enforce traffic management, and that means you’re free to enjoy the internet as it was intended.

Average speeds are supplied by thinkbroadband.com, an independent organisation that operates home speed tests on user connections.

In order to provide the best indication of a typical customer’s ‘real-world’ experience, the average speed is calculated from tests run throughout the full 24-hour period of each day. Additionally, tests are carried out on equipment including PCs, tablets, phones and games consoles over both wireless and wired connections.

The speeds quoted are based on the average UK download speeds from the period 1 Jan 2018 – 31 March 2018. For more information, or to compare Zen’s speeds to those of other providers, please visit https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7967-uk-broadband-speed-test-results-for-february-2018.

All our packages come with unlimited usage as standard, so there’s no need to worry about how much downloading or browsing you’ll be doing. The only choice to make is how fast you want your connection to be.

If you’re happy just browsing the web and sending emails, then you might be okay with one of our Fast Broadband packages. If you enjoy streaming video or have a large family though, a Superfast Fibre Broadband package might be more suitable.

An IP address is the number used to identify the location of your computer on the internet, which enables it to communicate with other computers and websites.

A static IP address from Zen means that this number assigned to your computer never changes. It is a fixed, permanent address, a little like the number of your house for example. You will need a static IP address if you want to:

  • Run your own FTP server.
  • Host your own website.
  • Host online gaming sessions.
  • Connect to your computer from anywhere in the world via remote access.
  • Ensure other computers can locate your computer anywhere across the internet.

We have made it as easy as possible to buy your broadband and phone service online. Simply select the broadband deal you want, based on speed, select your preferred phone package and enter your contact and payment details. Then sit back and our Zen team will get to work. Keeping you updated at every step along the way.

At each point in the order process look out for the ‘i’s’ – we know that there is lot of jargon to get through, so the ‘i’s’ will explain everything in plain English.

Once the order has been placed:

  • We will automatically receive information on your current provider for both broadband and phone, and our Zen engineers will contact them and make the switchover for you. If you are a cable customer, the process is slightly different, but we will take you through it.
  • You will receive a series of ‘welcome’ emails that contain all the information you need to get up and running, and importantly keep you updated on the status of your order.
  • You will also receive a welcome pack through the post, which will give you additional information about your service from Zen.

You don’t need to call us, everything will be in hand. If we need to get in touch then we have your details. In the meantime wait to receive the updates on your order via our emails that we will send to you once you have made the online order.

The dual band FRITZ!Box 7530 uses two wireless networks at the same time, making it a perfect wireless hotspot for all computers, smartphones and tablets.

With two different frequencies available, your business can benefit from higher wireless speed and even greater range. The FRITZ!Box 7530 also has an integrated DECT telephone system, as well as gigabit Ethernet, a USB port, media server and easy-to-use VPN functionality.

Discover more about Zen's comprehensive FRITZ!Box 7530

What our home customers say

The Zen Difference

Award winning service and expertise

Award winning service and expertise

People first approach

People first approach

We're independent

We're independent

Our people

We believe in making Zen a great place to work. Because happy staff provide award-winning service and go the extra mile for our customers every day.

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Phone | Zen Internet
Zen Internet - Home SalesSales
01706 902573
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Zen Internet - Customer EnquiriesCustomer Enquiries
01706 902001