Full Fibre vs. Mobile broadband

Whether you’re streaming, gaming, working from home, or simply browsing, the quality of your broadband can make or break your experience. 

But here’s the problem: Not all internet connections are created equal. And if you’re stuck with mobile broadband thinking it’s “just as good”, it’s probably why your Zoom calls are freezing, your films are buffering, and your patience is running thin. 

Let’s dig into what mobile broadband actually is – and why Full Fibre might be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband is internet that runs on the same 4G or 5G networks as your mobile phone. Think of it like hot-spotting your laptop from your phone – but instead of using your phone, you’ve got a dedicated SIM-based router or dongle doing the job

It’s popular with people who:

• Have just moved house and need a quick setup
• Travel often and want portable internet
• Don’t want a long-term contract

Convenient? Sure. Reliable? Not so much.

The downsides of mobile broadband

• Unstable speeds – Mobile broadband depends entirely on signal strength. If the local 4G/5G network is busy – or if you’re in a spot with patchy coverage – your speeds could tank
• Network congestion – Sharing mobile signal with everyone else in your area? Expect performance to dip at peak times
• Data limits – Many mobile broadband plans come with strict data caps or fair usage policies, meaning you’ll either run out or get throttled
• Higher costs – Mobile broadband often runs on pricey airtime plans. And when you add top-ups or overage charges? It racks up fast
• Just not built for it – Gaming, working from home, smart home set-ups – these need a connection that can handle serious bandwidth

Why Full Fibre is a different league

Full Fibre – also known as FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) – is a direct fibre-optic connection to your home. No copper wires, no sharing speeds with the neighbours, and no signal drop-offs.

It’s what we do best. And it’s exactly what modern households need. 

• Superfast & symmetrical – With speeds up to 900Mb (and the same upload speeds too), there’s no lag – just fast, consistent performance, even with multiple devices online at once
• Rock-solid reliability – You’re not relying on mobile masts or weather conditions. Your own personal fibre connection is safe underground, direct to your home
• Unlimited usage – No caps. No throttling. Stream, scroll, download and upload to your heart’s content
• Built for how you live – Perfect for heavy-duty online habits: gaming, video calls, smart homes, 4k streaming, and more

Don’t settle for “good enough” internet

Mobile broadband has its place – camping trips, emergency set-ups, and temporary fixes. But if you’re using it as your main broadband at home, you’re missing out.

Grain’s Full Fibre network gives you fast, stable internet without the catch. No install fees. No in-contract price rises. Just great broadband that does what it says on the tin.

Ready to see what real broadband feels like?

Remember, if you’re reluctant to get stuck in a long-term contract, we’ve got no-contract options available, too!