How we compare

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OFNL Compare tracks 432 broadband packages from 21 providers on the Open Fibre Networks Limited (OFNL) network. This page explains where that data comes from, how we rank it, and how we are funded.

Where our data comes from

Package prices, speeds, contract lengths and one-off fees are collected automatically from each provider’s own public website and pricing pages. We do not receive tariff feeds from OFNL, and we are not supplied with data by the providers we list.

We also record each tariff’s published in-contract pricing policy, including any confirmed pounds-and-pence schedule. We distinguish an explicit fixed-price promise from a policy that permits changes and from a policy we could not confirm. The provider source and the date we checked it are shown where that evidence is available.

Provider ratings and review counts are sourced from Trustpilot. A profile may cover the provider's other networks and products, not only its OFNL customers. We do not collect or moderate individual reviews and cannot verify each reviewer's experience. Check the displayed source and check date; missing or unverified figures should not be treated as zero customer satisfaction.

Because we read published pricing pages rather than receiving data directly, errors are possible: a provider may change a price between collections. Always confirm the final price with the provider before ordering. If you spot something wrong, tell us and we will correct it.

How we calculate effective monthly cost

Headline monthly prices are not comparable on their own. A package advertised at a low monthly rate can cost more overall once mandatory setup, equipment and delivery charges are included, particularly on a short contract where those one-off costs are spread across fewer months.

So alongside the advertised price we calculate an effective monthly cost, which spreads every unavoidable charge across the minimum contract term. Confirmed scheduled price changes are included; optional equipment is not.

• Minimum-term cost = all scheduled monthly subscription charges + mandatory setup + mandatory equipment or router charges + mandatory delivery.
• Effective monthly cost = minimum-term cost ÷ contract length.

A worked example: a 12-month package costs £30 a month for the first eight months and £32 for the final four, with a mandatory £15 setup fee and an optional £35 router. Its minimum-term cost is £383 and its effective monthly cost is £31.92. The optional router is displayed separately and is not included in either figure.

Where a provider may change its price but we cannot confirm the full schedule, the displayed minimum-term and effective costs are estimates that assume the listed monthly price does not change. Where the absence of a scheduled rise depends on an assumed start date, we identify that assumption too.

How we rank providers

Providers share the OFNL local access network, but package speeds, routers, support, contract terms and the service beyond that connection can differ. We compare published information; we do not assume identical real-world performance or independently test every provider.

The provider directory orders providers by their published Trustpilot score, then review count where available. That tie-breaker is not a statistical confidence adjustment. A small review sample, review age and the services covered by the profile all matter when interpreting a score.

This ranking reflects published customer sentiment only. It is not a test of network performance, and we do not independently measure speeds, installation times or support quality.

How package recommendations differ from cheapest sorting

The comparison initially shows matching sponsored deals first, followed by Best value results. Choosing a sort or changing the effective-cost toggle removes sponsored priority; filters always apply. Cheapest sorting uses starting monthly price unless you enable effective monthly cost, which includes compulsory fees and confirmed scheduled changes. Best value uses effective monthly cost divided by log10(download Mbps), with a minimum speed input of 10 Mbps. This is our price-and-speed ranking formula, not a measurement of reliability or suitability for every household.

Availability and social tariffs

Our comparison covers the public residential OFNL packages we collect. It may exclude negotiated, retention, business or address-specific offers. Postcode results are an availability guide; confirm the exact property and tariff with the provider. Eligibility-restricted social tariffs are labelled and excluded from standard-deal comparisons by default.

For example, Ashford Fibre publishes a social tariff requiring proof of Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Check the current conditions with the provider. Source: Ashford Fibre social tariff information.

How we are funded

OFNL Compare is free to use. Providers can pay for promoted placement, and some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission if you order. A commission does not add a charge to the price we show you. Promoted packages are identified as advertising.

Sponsored deals are labelled and receive priority in the initial comparison view. Choosing a sort or changing the effective-cost toggle removes that priority. Advertising does not change our cost calculations, tariff facts, source review scores or provider-directory ranking.

Providers do not pay simply to be included in, or excluded from, our comparison. We aim to list every provider with publicly available OFNL residential packages whether or not it has a commercial relationship with us.

What we do not cover

• We only cover broadband on the OFNL network. Deals on Openreach, Virgin Media or other networks are out of scope.
• We do not sell broadband, take orders or handle contracts. All purchases are made directly with the provider.
• We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Open Fibre Networks Limited or BUUK Infrastructure.

Corrections

Report a correction through our contact form, including the page URL, provider, package and supporting source where possible. Built By Board Ltd is responsible for the editorial content. Guide review dates record content checks, not the time of an automated tariff collection.