18 month contract
Superfast Fibre Plus
£24.99▵
a month
£42.96
a month
Check Availability
67Mbps
Average download speed*
18 month contract
Superfast Fibre
£22.99▵
a month
£36.99
a month
Check Availability
38Mbps
Average download speed*
18 month contract
Fast Broadband
£17.99▵
a month
£31.03
a month
Check Availability
Competitive prices
We don’t believe you should pay more for broadband than you need to. We’ll give you fast, reliable internet for lower prices.
No activation charges
We won’t charge you to activate your broadband service**.
Unlimited usage
You can download and upload as much as you want, whenever you want.
Exclusive rewards
You’ll enjoy exclusive fuel savings at Shell service stations, plus personalised offers and other surprises, only with the Shell Go+ rewards programme.
Friendly, local call-centre agents
Need to get hold of us? We have customer-service agents on hand and ready to help. Our dedicated team is UK based and trained to answer your queries.
Award-winning service
We pride ourselves on keeping our customers happy. We’ve even been recognised by Resolver for our excellent customer service in telecoms.
Need help choosing the right package? We're here to help. Call us on 0192 635 3397 between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, or between 9am and 4pm on Saturdays.
We’re here to help
If you’re worried about your bill or need any kind of extra support, please take a look at our guide for broadband and energy customers.
Find out how we can help
An award-winning broadband service
We’ve been recognised by Resolver for excellent customer service. And we’re also Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended, with over 80% of readers surveyed praising our broadband service as good value for money.
† Our lowest ever price is based on Shell Energy’s Full Fibre 100 product - currently available at the promotional price of £26.99, as compared with our out-of-contract price of £42.74 - when switching via Shell Energy (by calling or visiting our website) during the promotional period to an 18 month contract.
△ Your monthly charges may increase each year from 2024 on or after 1 April by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation plus up to 3%. For example, if you’re paying £30 per month, and the January CPI figure is 2%, we may apply an increase of up to 5%. At 5%, your monthly price would increase to £31.50 after 1 April 2024. For details see our terms.
At the end of your Minimum Period, your contract will not automatically renew. At that time, you may choose to switch to any of our available packages but if you do not, your service will continue at our then current out-of-contract prices. See our Price List for details.
All broadband packages shown are on 18-month contracts. Other contract durations are available at different prices by calling 0330 162 7845. You can see our full terms and conditions here. See our Price List for details of all our standard prices.
*Average speeds based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, phone line, home wiring, wi-fi connection and time of day. You can check the estimated speed to your property prior to purchasing. For more information please click on the “Broadband Speeds Information” dropdown menu below.
You can see our full terms and conditions here. See our Price List for details of all our standard prices.
**A £67.50 charge may apply if we need to install a new telephone line.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to contact my current provider?
Unless you're a Virgin Media customer, you won't need to contact your current provider - we'll do that for you. If you are a Virgin Media customer you'll need to contact them to stop your service, they normally require 30 days notice.
Can I keep my phone number?
Normally you can keep your phone number. We'll always try to do this for you, but there may be circumstances where we aren't able to. If this happens, we'll contact you before changing your number.
How long will it take to switch?
Switching usually takes about 14 days. We'll normally let you know what day your broadband will be live within 48 hours of accepting your order.
How much can I download?
All of our broadband packages are totally unlimited. This means you can download as much as you want.
(Video) Best 5G Home Broadband Deals In The UK - ComparedWhy can't I get Superfast Fibre and Superfast Fibre Plus?
Superfast Fibre and Superfast Fibre Plus are fibre products and fibre broadband isn't available nationwide. When fibre broadband becomes available in your area we will let you know.
View more information on our Ultrafast Fibre plans
Why are no Shell Energy broadband products available to me?
Our network partner does not have a nationwide network and as such we may not be able to provide our services in certain areas. Additionally, there are certain incompatible products such as BT Basic that means we cannot always take over an existing service.
Will the price I pay increase at the end of the minimum term?
Unless you recontract, the monthly charge you pay will increase at the end of your minimum term to the standard price for your chosen broadband package. For more information please see our Price List.
Why do you need my phone number?
We need this to ensure we can provide broadband at your home and to estimate your broadband speed more accurately. If our checks show that your phone line isn't compatible with our systems or you don't have an existing line, we may be able to install a new one, we charge £67.50 for an engineer to do this. You just need to let us know a convenient date and time.
What happens if I want to cancel my order before it goes live?
You have a 14 day cooling off period starting the day after your order has been accepted. You can cancel your order free of charge any time up to midday the day before your service is due to start. If you want to cancel your order, please call us on 0330 094 5801.
Please note that if you’ve agreed to, and we have already started to provide the service during your cooling off period and you subsequently decide to cancel, you will have to pay us the full cost of the Services you've received up to the point when your service is either cancelled or transferred to another provider.
What happens if I want to cancel my service?
You always have a right to cancel your service, but if you do before your minimum period ends, you may have to pay early termination charges. All charges are set out in our Price List.
Read more about cancelling your service in our support article.
How do I contact Shell Energy Broadband Customer Services?
Contact us on 0330 0945801 or email broadband.support@shellenergy.co.uk
The legal bit
Broadband Speeds Information
Broadband speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and show how quickly you can transfer data to and from the internet.
Average speeds are based on the download or upload speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time. (8pm - 10pm).
Broadband speed can be affected by the quality of your phone line, how far your home is from the telephone exchange, the wiring in your home, electrical interference and how many people are using your broadband at the same time. We'll use your postcode and phone number (if you provide it) to give you a personalised estimate of the speeds you can expect to receive. We can’t guarantee the broadband speed you’ll receive. The speed estimated at point of order may be different to what you actually receive. If you change premises, the speed that you receive may change due to the services that are available.
(Video) This is what your Full Fibre Install will look like - Plusnet HelpYou may not always have uninterrupted internet access; and your internet access, download speeds and upload speeds may not always be at the range of speeds we advertise.
You can check the estimated speed available at your location via 'Check Availability' on our website, or by calling us on 03301 730575. Find out more why broadband speeds can vary and troubleshooting speed issues.
FAST BROADBAND: Average download speed 11Mb/sec. Average upload speed 1Mb/sec. Maximum download speed 17Mb/sec. Maximum upload speed 1Mb/sec.
SUPERFAST FIBRE: Average download speed 38Mb/sec. Average upload speed 9Mb/sec. Maximum download speed 38Mb/sec. Maximum upload speed 9.5Mb/sec.
SUPERFAST FIBRE PLUS: Average download speed 67Mb/sec. Average upload speed 17Mb/sec. Maximum download speed 76Mb/sec. Maximum upload speed 19Mb/sec.
ULTRAFAST FIBRE: Average download speed 145Mb/sec. Average upload speed 25Mb/sec. Maximum download speed 160Mb/sec. Maximum upload speed 25Mb/sec.
ULTRAFAST FIBRE PLUS: Average download speed 290Mb/sec. Average upload speed 45Mb/sec. Maximum download speed 330Mb/sec. Maximum upload speed 45Mb/sec.
FULL FIBRE 100:Maximum Download Speed 112Mb/sec. Maximum Upload speed 20Mb/sec. Average Download Speed 109Mb/sec.
FULL FIBRE 200: Maximum Download Speed 210Mb/sec. Maximum Upload speed 30Mb/sec. Average Download Speed 207Mb/sec.
FULL FIBRE 300: Maximum Download Speed 314Mb/sec. Maximum Upload speed 48Mb/sec. Average Download Speed 311Mb/sec.
FULL FIBRE 500: Maximum Download Speed 526Mb/sec. Maximum Upload speed 73Mb/sec. Average Download Speed 525Mb/sec.
FULL FIBRE 900: Maximum Download Speed 948Mb/sec. Maximum Upload speed 112Mb/sec. Average Download Speed 944Mb/sec (For the fastest speed of 948Mb/sec on our Full Fibre 900 package, you’ll need a high spec PC connected by an ethernet cable)
† 10X FASTER THAN THE UK’S AVERAGE: Applies to our Full Fibre 900 Service using a comparison of 900Mb download speed with the UK residential fixed broadband average download speed of 80.2 Mbit/s (as measured by Ofcom in their UK Home Broadband Performance Report published 13 May 2021)
Key Terms - Things To Know Before You Buy
COMPENSATION FOR SWITCHING PROBLEMS: If we cause a delay that means your specified broadband and/or phone service doesn’t start on time, we may compensate you automatically (so you don’t need to apply for it). This is in line with Ofcom’s general conditions. Read more about how we compensate our customers. For full details, please refer to our terms and conditions.
PAYMENT AND CHARGES COLLECTION: We will bill you on a monthly basis using the method you have selected. If you have provided your card details, you consent to us debiting this and charging any additional amount that may be payable according to our Terms and Conditions.
ROUTER & EQUIPMENT: This remains property of Shell Energy and you will be required to return it in good working order within 30 days of your Agreement ending or you may be charged. For more information please see our Terms and Conditions and Price List.
CANCELLING YOUR SERVICE: If you change your mind and want to cancel within 14 days (starting on the day after we accept your order) you are free to leave without charge. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, we require at least 30 days notice to cancel. If you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you may have to pay early termination charges which are detailed in our Price List. For more information, please see our Help articles.
MOVING HOME: If you move home during your Minimum Period, this will come to an end and you will start a new 12 or 18 month contract from the date your Service goes live at your new address.
Promotional Terms & Conditions
Our Promotional terms and conditions can be found here.
Call Charges
Our broadband plans (excluding Full Fibre) come with free landline calls between Shell Energy Broadband and Phone customers - see our Price List for more details. You can also choose to purchase one of our optional call packages when placing your order:
EVENING & WEEKEND: Great if you make most of your calls in the evenings and weekends as it includes Inclusive evening and weekend calls to UK landlines, UK mobiles and 0845/0870 numbers from 6pm to 6am Monday to Friday and from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday.
ANYTIME: If you make a lot of UK calls during the day our Anytime calls could save you money. It includes Inclusive anytime calls to UK landlines, UK mobiles and 0845/0870 numbers at any time of day.
ANYTIME PLUS: This call package includes Inclusive anytime calls to UK landlines, UK mobiles, 0845/0870 numbers and landlines in 54 Countries.
INTERNATIONAL: If you have friends and family overseas, our International Calls plan means you can talk for longer without it costing a fortune. You get Inclusive anytime calls to landlines in 54 countries (plus discounted calls to mobiles in those 54 countries). You’ll also get a 50% discount on all other international landline and mobile calls. See our Price List for more details.
INCLUSIVE CALLS: Inclusive calls last for 60 minutes, hang up and redial to before 60 minutes to avoid additional charges. If you do not purchase a calling plan, then any calls you make will be charged at our standard call rates, which can be found in our Price List.
SERVICE CALLS OUTSIDE OF YOUR INCLUSIVE MINUTES: The charge for calls to service numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118 consists of a 21.49p per minute Access charge from Shell Energy, plus a service charge set by the company or organisation you called. They are not included within any call plan. See our Price List for more details. For more information see our Premium Rate Calls Services Guide.
(Video) 3 Cheapest Broadband Deals In The UK - Revealed
FAQs
Home Broadband Deals | Fibre & Superfast Home Broadband? ›
Superfast broadband is faster than 'Standard broadband' or 'Normal' options which are generally speeds less than 30Mbps. Anything that exceeds the Superfast limit of 300Mbps is generally considered Ultrafast or Hyperfast, but not everyone needs a connection this quick.
What counts as superfast broadband? ›Superfast broadband is faster than 'Standard broadband' or 'Normal' options which are generally speeds less than 30Mbps. Anything that exceeds the Superfast limit of 300Mbps is generally considered Ultrafast or Hyperfast, but not everyone needs a connection this quick.
Why can't I get superfast broadband? ›It may be because: You livetoo far away from the nearest street cabinet. The phone line between your home and cabinet can't support fast enough speeds. Demand for fibre in your postcode is high, and it's full to capacity.
Is Superfast broadband worth it? ›Essentially, unless you're in a busy household with lots of people gaming, streaming, or working at the same time, you probably don't need to pay for ultrafast full fibre speeds. But you might find that in a few years, once full fibre is a lot more established across the country, it'll be worth choosing an FTTP plan.
How much broadband is enough? ›Number of devices | Use Cases | Recommended Download Speed |
---|---|---|
1-2 | Web surfing, email, social networking, moderate video | Up to 25 Mbps |
3-5 | Online multiplayer gaming, 4K streaming | 50 - 100 Mbps |
More than 5 | All of the above plus sharing large files and live streaming video. | 150 to 200 Mbps |
Superfast broadband is a broad category of speeds, running from 30Mbps to 300Mbps. Anything faster than that falls into either the Ultrafast, Hyperfast or Gigabit categories.
What are the four types of broadband? ›- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
- Cable Modem.
- Fiber.
- Wireless.
- Satellite.
- Broadband over Powerlines (BPL)
Superfast and ultrafast broadband are significantly faster than standard broadband. Superfast broadband offers speeds of 30Mbit/s or more, and ultrafast 300Mbit/s or more. Using superfast broadband means that you can: download things much faster.
How can I get faster broadband to my house? ›- 1) Carry out a speed test on your line. ...
- 2) Talk to your ISP. ...
- 3) Update your browser. ...
- 4) Some electrical devices can cause electrical interference to your router. ...
- 5) Consider upgrading your router to the latest model. ...
- 6) Password-protect your broadband.
Slow broadband isn't just caused by issues with the network. Your kit, wireless performance, home wiring and even the time of day can all make it slower. Start by testing your connection to check for any network issues.
Is broadband better than internet? ›
The internet is a huge network of websites and information that spans the entire world. Broadband allows you to access all of this information from your own home via a router. An ethernet cable can be used to connect your computer to your router, giving you fast internet access.
Is broadband better or WiFi? ›Broadband connections are far more secure and consistent than Wi-Fi connections. 4. Plus, you can always connect it to a Wi-Fi router to enjoy high-speed wireless internet connectivity on your mobile and computer devices at the same time.
What broadband speed do I need for Netflix? ›Video resolution | Recommended internet speed |
---|---|
HD | 3 Mbps |
Full HD | 5 Mbps |
4K/UHD | 15 Mbps |
An internet speed of at least 25Mbps is good for Wi-Fi. That will make sure that multiple people get adequate bandwidth on your Wi-Fi network while multiple devices are being used at the same time. For larger households, a speed of 100Mbps is even better.
How much broadband does the average person use? ›An average internet user in America consumed 154.6 GB of fixed and mobile data per month in 2021. Average internet user in America, 2021 data: The average fixed broadband data usage per person is 149 GB per month (home network, Wi-Fi). The average mobile user data usage is 5.6 GB per month.
How much broadband do I need to watch TV? ›Streaming TV and movies in SD, HD or 4K UHD. For standard definition (SD) streaming you'll need at least an average speed of 3Mbps, for HD 5-8Mbps and for 4K UHD you'll need 25Mbps minimum, but we recommend a connection of 50Mbps to cover all scenarios (live 4K broadcasts require more speed, for example).
Do I need a landline for broadband? ›Do you need a landline to get broadband? With most broadband providers, you need a physical phone line hooked up to your home in order to get broadband. That's because your internet is connected through the same cables.
Do I need superfast or ultrafast broadband? ›The big difference between Superfast and Ultrafast is the speeds that you'll receive from each of the packages - Superfast broadband can offer speeds anywhere up to 100Mbps, whereas a true Ultrafast package will provide your home with speeds up to 900Mbps, which is a staggering upgrade in terms of performance.
How many Mbps is considered broadband? ›The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband capability requires consumers to have access to actual download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and actual upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps.
Is broadband and Wi-Fi the same thing? ›The primary difference between broadband and Wi-Fi is that Wi-Fi uses wireless technology to provide access to the internet. It locates radio signals and establishes a connection with nearby devices. Broadband internet is a wired or wireless computer network.
Which type of broadband is best? ›
The best type of internet is fiber-optic internet because it's extremely efficient, reliable, and fast. In most cases, fiber tops out at 1,000 Mbps for both download and upload speeds.
What is the most common broadband? ›- ADSL. ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line and is the most commonly available type of broadband, delivered through the copper wires of your phone line. ...
- Cable. ...
- Fibre.
The broadband connection is fast speed internet, but the speed is slower when it is compared to a fibre connection. The fibre broadband connection is very fast speed internet as it uses optical fibre for transmission of data. The fibre broadband is faster than broadband connection.
What is the fastest broadband called? ›Full fibre broadband offers the fastest download speeds available – up to and even beyond 1000Mbps in some cases.
Which is faster broadband or fiber? ›The difference between traditional broadband and fibre is mainly down to speed. A fibre connection has the potential to be much faster and has a bigger bandwidth than other broadband options.
How long does it take to get home broadband? ›It usually takes around two weeks' to set up internet in a new home. If the property already has a working broadband line installed then getting internet access could be as simple as plugging in your new router when you arrive.
What slows down fiber optic internet? ›However, some users may experience slower performance than usual from time to time. When this happens, there are usually four reasons why; bandwidth contention, signal interference, incompatible WiFi routers or slow devices.
How long does broadband take to get up to speed? ›The first 10 days after your broadband's been connected is known as the 'stabilisation period'. During the stabilisation period, the equipment at the telephone exchange is working out the optimal speed for your line, so your broadband speeds are likely to fluctuate.
Why is my unlimited internet so slow? ›Often, even if you have an unlimited data plan, your data has a limit beyond which the speed will slow down. Check with your mobile data provider if you're unsure what your limit is. If you have reached your limit, you may have to wait for the start of the next billing cycle for your data to speed back up.
Which is better 5G or broadband? ›A 5G connection has more capacity for downloading data at very high speeds, upwards of 1 gigabit per second. Fiber optic connections cannot deliver these speeds wirelessly as 5G networks do. You will need a router to deliver wireless connectivity with fiber.
What are 3 advantages of broadband? ›
- Economic Development. Broadband enables local communities, regions and nations to develop, attract, retain and expand job-creating businesses and institutions. ...
- Government Services. ...
- Education. ...
- Health Care. ...
- Public Safety. ...
- Environmental Sustainability. ...
- Telework. ...
- Urban Revitalization.
The biggest difference is that, while you may experience signal fluctuation from your phone as you move around from day to day, using 5G for home broadband is stable. Once it's set up it should stay working uninterrupted. 5G broadband is also incredibly fast. It offers general speeds up to ten times faster than 4G.
What is the difference between broadband and Internet speed? ›Broadband refers to wide bandwidth data transmission. Think of the internet as data that's being transmitted between two devices. Broadband, in this case, is the passway on which that data is moving. There are various types of broadband connections - ASL, DSL, Cable, Fiber, etc.
Does broadband include Wi-Fi? ›Broadband is the physical connection that runs from the exchange to your property. Wi-Fi is a wireless connection from your Wi-Fi router to your devices – your phone, laptop, smart TV or gaming system.
What broadband speed do I need for Amazon Prime? ›Amazon Prime requires slightly slower download speeds, needing 0.9Mbps for standard streaming and 3.5Mbps for HD. It needs an upload speed of 0.4Mpbs and 1.7Mbps for standard and HD, respectively.
How much internet speed is required for smart TV? ›Internet browsing and downloads
To browse the web on your smart TV, you'll need a minimum of 2Mbps and 5Mbps or more for quicker loading times. To download music this speed will need to increase to speeds of 10Mbps or higher so that you won't be waiting an excessive amount of time for albums to download and playback.
What internet speed does someone need to watch 4K video? The viewer needs a download speed of around 50 Mbps to reliably watch 4K streams. So-called high-speed internet from most ISPs usually only starts at around 25 Mbps.
Is 300 Mbps fast enough for my home? ›For most households with three or four people living together, a 300 Mbps internet download is enough for the various uses ranging from online gaming, streaming, and general browsing. According to the Tech21Centry website, 300 Mbps can download a 5-Gigabyte movie file in only 2.2 minutes.
Is 250 Mbps fast enough for streaming? ›A 250 Mbps connection allows a family of four to stream TV, movies and games on multiple devices while using video conferencing, like Zoom, all at the same time. A speed of 50 Mbps is better suited for couples or individuals without competing streaming demands.
Can you use too much broadband? ›Your internet provider is likely to throttle your internet service with a soft data cap if you surpass the amount of bandwidth on your service plan. Data caps are a way for internet companies to police bandwidth usage on their networks. We've listed every single internet provider with data caps on their plans.
Is 400 GB a month enough? ›
Most people need around 600 GB of data per month for their home internet connection. That gives you enough data to stream movies, play online games, and participate in video conferencing calls.
Is 1000 GB enough for a month? ›That gives you enough data to stream movies, play online games, and participate in video conferencing calls. Usually internet providers give you 1 TB (1,000 GB) of data per month, although some providers like Xfinity have been slightly more generous. That's plenty for most people.
Does broadband speed matter? ›A good internet speed is one that averages above 25 Mbps. This is enough speed to support modest online activity for a small family or office. This type of speed will support HD streaming, online gaming, music downloads, and general web browsing. Faster broadband speeds are measured above 100 Mbps.
Is 50 Mbps fast enough for Netflix? ›We recommend an internet plan with at least 50 Mbps download speeds if you enjoy streaming Netflix. And maybe even higher if you want HD streaming.
Is 30 Mbps fast enough for Netflix? ›Typical streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix require between 15-25 Mbps to stream content, so 30 Mbps should be fast enough to stream videos from standard to 4k HD definition. 30 Mbps has its limits, as live streaming takes up more bandwidth and streaming on multiple devices will bog your signal down.
What is superfast 2 broadband speed? ›Guaranteed sync speeds are:
Superfast 1 - 25Mbps. Superfast 2 - 55Mbps.
The big difference between Superfast and Ultrafast is the speeds that you'll receive from each of the packages - Superfast broadband can offer speeds anywhere up to 100Mbps, whereas a true Ultrafast package will provide your home with speeds up to 900Mbps, which is a staggering upgrade in terms of performance.
What is the difference between superfast and gigabit? ›Obviously the higher your download speed, the faster you can download files and the better quality you can stream smoothly, and gigabit internet offers speeds ten times faster than average superfast broadband. There are a few key instances when this incredible speed can be incredibly useful.
Is broadband speed same as Wi-Fi? ›In short, no. Broadband and wifi are not the same. Wifi is a wireless connection between multiple devices and your router, and just one of the ways you can access the internet.
What speed is superfast 1? ›Vodafone is known for offering high-quality broadband at affordable rates, and Vodafone Fibre 1 (aka Superfast 1) is its lowest-speed package, delivering an average speed of 38Mbps.
What is Xfinity Superfast? ›
Larger families and heavy internet users should consider the Superfast internet plan. At $65 per month, it provides 800Mbps of internet speed, which is enough internet speed for just about anyone.
Do I need ultra fast broadband? ›If you're planning to use your broadband for gaming, sending large files, and streaming 4K content on multiple devices, you'll need faster broadband than a standard ADSL package, or potentially even some of the slower fibre connections.
Is fibre better than Superfast broadband? ›Fibre optic will typically get you faster download speeds on multiple devices. It's much faster than the original broadband's actual speed. So, no more struggling for internet service or pulling your hair out because you can't download large files at peak times when you need that high-speed data.
Do I really need 1gbps internet? ›You don't need gigabit internet if all you do is check email and post on social media. You probably don't even need gigabit internet if four people live in your household. A gigabit connection is ideal if you work from home and download huge files, run a public web server, or livestream your gameplay to Twitch.
Is 5G faster than gigabit internet? ›5G is shorthand for fifth generation, and it promises cellphone speeds as much as 100 times faster than the norm today, 4G LTE. Gigabit internet (so named because data are transmitted at up to 1 gigabit or 1,000 megabits per second) also promises that kind of speed — about double that of the fastest cable internet.
Can you get 1000 Mbps over Wi Fi? ›With fiber optic internet, you can get the fastest possible broadband speeds to your home. A gig fiber connection will provide around 1,000 Mbps download and 1,000 Mbps upload—but you won't always see those numbers if you run a speed check on your computer.
Which is better Wi-Fi or broadband? ›Wi-Fi scores better when a connection opts for a home since many devices can be connected to a single access point. For large distances, broadband is a better option for high-speed connection that has the least or no interference.
Which is better broadband or internet? ›Broadband internet is the fastest and most common form of internet access. The term “broadband” simply means that the internet is always available (you don't need to dial up to connect) and is faster than old school phone line internet connections.