Openreach and CityFibre are two of the biggest full fibre networks in the UK. They don’t sell broadband directly. Instead, internet providers use their infrastructure to deliver FTTP connections to homes.
The key difference is simple. These are separate physical fibre networks, and your address may only have access to one of them. In some areas, both are available, which creates real competition on price and speeds.
Understanding which network serves your property matters. It affects available providers, maximum speeds, installation times, and how much you’ll pay.
What Is Openreach?
Openreach is the largest broadband infrastructure operator in the UK. It builds and maintains the network used by many major providers including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, EE, Plusnet and others.
Their network includes both legacy copper-based connections and newer full fibre deployments. Over the past few years, Openreach has been expanding FTTP coverage rapidly across cities, towns and rural areas.
Openreach tends to have the widest geographic reach, especially outside major urban centres. If you live in a smaller town or rural area, Openreach is often the only full fibre option available.
Because so many providers use the same Openreach infrastructure, pricing and speeds can look similar between ISPs. The difference usually comes down to customer service, router quality, and contract terms.
What Is CityFibre?
CityFibre is an alternative fibre network that builds full fibre only infrastructure. Unlike Openreach, there is no legacy copper network. Every connection is FTTP.
CityFibre focuses primarily on urban areas and mid-sized towns. In locations where it’s available, it often introduces competition that can drive prices down and increase available speeds.
Providers using CityFibre typically include Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen Internet, IDNet, Yayzi and other smaller ISPs.
Because CityFibre builds newer infrastructure, many of their deployments support symmetrical speeds, meaning upload and download speeds are the same. This can be useful for remote work, cloud backups and content creation.
Openreach vs CityFibre: Key Differences
Coverage
Openreach currently has broader coverage across the UK, including many rural and semi-rural areas. CityFibre coverage is more concentrated in towns and cities.
Speeds
Both networks support gigabit broadband. CityFibre-based providers often offer symmetrical speeds, while Openreach packages typically have slower uploads.
Pricing
CityFibre-based plans are frequently cheaper in areas where multiple providers compete on the same network. Openreach pricing is usually more consistent between providers.
Providers
Openreach is used by a larger number of ISPs. CityFibre has fewer partners but still offers multiple provider options in covered areas.
Installation
CityFibre installations often involve running new fibre directly to the property. Openreach may use existing ducting or infrastructure depending on deployment type.
Which Providers Use Openreach?
Many of the UK’s largest broadband providers operate on the Openreach network, including:
- BT
- Sky
- TalkTalk
- Plusnet
- EE
- Vodafone (some areas)
- Zen Internet
Because these providers share the same underlying network, speeds available at your address will usually be similar across them.
Which Providers Use CityFibre?
CityFibre works with a smaller but growing group of ISPs, including:
- Vodafone
- TalkTalk
- Zen Internet
- IDNet
- Giganet
- Yayzi Broadband
- No One Internet
Availability varies by location, and not every provider operates in every CityFibre area.
Is CityFibre Better Than Openreach?
There isn’t a single winner. It depends on your address.
CityFibre can be better if you want symmetrical speeds, lower prices, or newer infrastructure. Openreach is better if you live outside major towns or want access to a wider range of providers.
In some areas, both networks are available. When that happens, you can often choose between multiple ISPs across both networks, which usually results in better deals.
Openreach vs CityFibre: Why Availability Varies by Address
Two homes on the same street can have different fibre networks. This happens because each network builds infrastructure independently.
You might see:
- Only Openreach available
- Only CityFibre available
- Both networks available
- Full fibre on one network but not the other
This is why postcode-level checks are often inaccurate. Availability is determined at the address level, not just the area.
Check If Openreach or CityFibre Is Available In Your Area
The easiest way to know which network is better is to check availability at your address. That shows:
- Which fibre network serves your property
- Available providers
- Maximum speeds
- Current deals
Enter your address in our Full Fibre Checker to see whether Openreach, CityFibre, or both networks are available where you live.