England boasts excellent connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure, making it one of the world's most connected countries. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting online in England - from broadband services and mobile connections to making phone calls and staying safe from scams.ÌýÌý
Getting connected in England
England has exceptional internet connectivity. The country's robust internet infrastructure - powered by fibre and copper networks - is highly efficient and widely utilised for a variety of reasons, including informal communication, business activities and education.
The ease and speed of setting up internet services here, as well as the competitive market pricing, both contribute to the high-quality connectivity experience.
Wireless connections are widespread in England, used in homes and public spaces. To use a broadband connection, your area must have broadband lines installed, which is likely the case unless your premises are very remote. In such cases, installing fibre lines for broadband may be challenging.
Any broadband provider you choose can quickly check the existence of broadband lines in your area and deploy British Telecom (BT) agents to help set up a line if needed. Installation is typically done for a minimal fee.
Selecting an internet service provider in England
Researching and comparing internet service providers (ISP) is essential to finding the best deals that align with your needs. You can either search online or visit local stores for more information.
Here are key elements to consider when choosing an ISP:
- Speed: Available download and upload speeds;
- Coverage: Service availability in your area;
- Contract length: Typically 12, 18 or 24 months;
- Price: Monthly cost and any setup fees;
- Customer service: Technical support quality and availability.
The leading ISPs in England are:
- ;
- ;
- ;
- ;
- ;
- ;
- .
Important considerations
Area coverage
Location plays an essential role in your internet connection quality, including speed and reliability. The quality of your connection is notably influenced by two key factors: your proximity to the local exchange and the presence of fibre cables in your area.
Before signing with a broadband provider, check coverage in your area by consulting the property owner or previous tenants.
Most ISP websites have a section where you can enter your postcode and check the available internet speed and service providers.
Contract types
Most ISPs offer 12-month contracts, though many also provide 18- and 24-month options. If you are pleased with the services you receive and you will be settling into the same house for a while, longer contracts may offer better value for you.
Many providers offer a one-month trial period. If your service provider fails to deliver as promised during this time, you can cancel your contract.
Payments
Usually, payments to ISPs occur monthly. Many providers offer complete media packages, including landline, TV, smartphone and the internet.
Deals are very competitive. Paying upfront for a broadband subscription will allow you to make some savings. Yearly subscriptions are more advantageous, with gifts offered in most cases.
Before making the final call, compare the total annual cost (including setup fees) of several providers or packages provided by the same provider.
Good to know:
On average, you can expect to spend around £26 per month on broadband in England, though prices can vary significantly based on speed and package features.
According to the global broadband index by , England is ranked as the fifth most affordable country in the world for broadband services.
Speed
Gone are the days when ISPs applied monthly data caps and usage allowances, or connections would slow down during peak times. However, the speed of your internet connection may be affected by the quality of your ISP-provided router.
10 Mbps is the recommended speed per broadband user. However, if you are into streaming or gaming, you can double the amount to 20 Mbps or higher.
Subscribing to a broadband service in England
Once you have chosen your service provider, the broadband application can be done online or directly at the nearest store. You will need a valid ID document and proof of address.
The contract may last between 12, 18, or 24 months. Installation is free of charge, and most service providers will give you an internet box (router) and instructions to follow. Technical support is also free of charge and available 24/7.
Before signing your contract, read the contract terms, as you will be compelled to pay a penalty in case of breach of the agreement. Understand your rights, applicable rates and what happens if you're overcharged.
Wi-Fi hotspots in England
There are several Wi-Fi hotspots in public places around England, including libraries, shopping malls, restaurants, and cafés. Most of them are free of charge and very accessible.
Some commercial spots provide complimentary internet access when making a purchase (for instance, when buying coffee in a café). Others offer a fixed fee through an online subscription service.
Wherever you are in England, you can find an active hotspot for your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Hence, you scarcely see people invading internet cafés nowadays unless they are into gaming or working remotely.
Good to know:
Since the end of 2024, all those using the London Underground have had access to uninterrupted 4G and 5G mobile coverage.
The future of internet connections in England
The UK as a whole has made significant progress in rolling out high-speed internet infrastructure over recent years.
According to Ofcom, as of 2025, 93% of outdoor premises in the UK have 5G coverage from at least one mobile network provider, and 25% are covered by all operators. After all, with the rise in remote working and online courses, there is a bigger need for high-speed, reliable broadband.
The government is aiming for all populated areas in the country to have standalone 5G coverage by 2030. This is primarily being rolled out by private mobile network operators, including EE, O2, Vodafone and Three.
The government's target is for next-generation, gigabit broadband to be available to 85% of the UK by 2025 and nationwide by 2030. Gigabit broadband can be delivered by full-fibre connections, high-speed cable broadband and 5G networks. The government's prioritises homes and businesses that don't yet have access to superfast broadband, shifting their speeds from 30 megabits-per-second to more than 1,000 megabits (or one gigabit).
Mobile phones in England
Mobile phones are more widespread than landlines or payphones in England due to competitive rates and hassle-free subscriptions.
Several mobile network operators in England offer a wide range of competitive services at lucrative prices. So, make sure to research well and compare prices and offers before subscribing.
Buying a pay-as-you-go SIM is the easiest way to get a UK mobile number as an expat as soon as you arrive in England. For a pay-as-you-go SIM, you won't need proof of address or a UK bank account.
In the past few years, offers for UK SIM cards have significantly improved. You can, therefore, make a lot of calls, send messages, and access the internet at affordable rates. You can buy a SIM card from any phone shop or online. Payment can be made in cash or with an international debit or credit card.
Monthly phone contracts in England
Monthly pay varies and can be up to £50 on average per month, depending on the amount of data, minutes, and texts you will have at your disposal as well as the phone model you choose. Pay-as-you-go SIMs with unlimited data or unlimited international minutes are justifiably more expensive.
If you want to sign up for a phone contract, you will need a valid address in England and a bank account, and some providers may ask for proof that you have lived for at least three years in the country.
Subscription can be done either online or at a phone shop. Many citizens in England sign a contract that comes with the purchase of a new mobile phone and eventually pay off the phone as part of a monthly payment plan. Before signing a contract and committing to 24 or 36 months of monthly payments (usually made via direct debit), make sure that the service provider you have chosen has good coverage, at least in the areas where you live and work.
Important:
Read the entire contract and understand the conditions and duration, which may commit you to up to 36 months.
If you already have a phone device and you come from an EU country, a UK SIM is expected to work normally. Otherwise, you will have to unlock your phone before travelling. Your current phone company can help with the process. If you cannot unlock it, consider buying a new phone.
Good to know:
A simple way to know whether your phone needs unlocking is to insert a SIM card from another service provider and try to make a call. If you can place the call, your phone is unlocked.
Landlines in England
Expatriates usually find it more complicated to get a landline in England. In general, your residence permit will be requested.
Most buildings in England are already equipped with a landline. Your phone company can check whether your house already has a landline, and if not, they can send a BT agent to install one for a fee. If you get a better deal elsewhere, you don't necessarily have to choose BT as your service provider.
Usually, phone companies will try to convince you to sign up for the complete package, including landline, cable TV, Wi-Fi, mobile contract and international calls. Don't hesitate to reject services that aren't of interest to you.
Kiosks and payphones in England
In 2021, BT launched a new digital communications service known as a Street Hub.
Street hubs give the public free access to superfast Wi-Fi, landline and mobile calls, and USB device charging, as well as access to an interactive touchscreen with information on local services and area maps.
Making phone calls from England
To call overseas from England, you have to dial '00' followed by your and the whole mobile number without the original '0' to make a call abroad. You can activate international roaming on your mobile phone if you spend a few days in England.
However, you should check the call rates. Otherwise, Whatsapp is an excellent option to make international calls for free as long as you are connected to the internet. This is made easier thanks to free private and public Wi-Fi spots in libraries, cafés, coworking spaces and parks.
England helplines
999
This number is known as the world's oldest emergency telephone number. It was launched in London in 1937. Dialling 999 will take you to four emergency control centres (i.e., police, ambulance, fire, coastguard) to select the most relevant to your emergency situation. If you have a speech impediment or hearing impairment, sign up to the emergency SMS service by texting ‘register' to 999 and following the instructions. To reach 999, you don't need credit or signal. If you remain silent during a 999 call, you will still be sent help as long as you enter ‘55,' which informs call respondents that talking could worsen your situation.
101
This is England's non-emergency police phone number. This number is used for minor traffic accidents, stolen cars, vandalised properties, drug dealing, missing persons and crime witnessing. A call to 101 costs 15p.
111
This is a free NHS number for an urgent but not life-threatening health issue. Callers are connected to trained advisers who can advise, refer them to a nurse, emergency GPs, or send an ambulance. For emergency medical presence, you must call 999.
Useful link:
Scam phone calls in England
If you are asked for sensitive information over the phone (e.g., banking details, passport details, debit card details, etc.) by someone who presents themselves as a representative of an organisation or service you trust (e.g., bank, tax office, local council, mobile phone service provider, etc.), be aware that they might be a scammer who's preying on your good intentions.
Even though it's not always easy to spot a scam phone call due to scammers ‘professionalism, there are a few alarming signs to watch out for:
- Is the caller pretending to be an official?
- Is the caller creating a sense of urgency by forcing you to send sensitive details within a limited amount of time to avoid penalties?
- What kind of language does the caller use?
- Are they trying to make you feel scared or entice you with unrealistic promises?
- Is the caller cultivating the fear of missing out if you don't do what they ask you to do?
- What is the timing of the phone call?
- Is it the end of the fiscal year?
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
