Vodafone, well-known across the UK for its mobile phone services, has also become a major broadband provider over the past few years. One of its main offerings is Vodafone Full Fibre 500, which comes with an average speed of 500Mbps. It is designed for families and people working from home who use a lot of internet data.
In this review, we’ll look at how Vodafone Full Fibre 500 performs in real life. We’ll check how it compares to similar broadband deals, assess its reliability, and help you decide if it’s a good choice for your home.
Latest Offers:
| Plan | Speed | Contract | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Fibre 500 | 500Mbps | 24 months | £32/month |
| Full Fibre 500 + Super WiFi | 500Mbps | 24 months | £39/month |
Free setup. Includes £45 voucher. Ends 28th April 2025
Table of Contents
Overview of Vodafone Full Fibre 500
Vodafone Full Fibre 500 comes with an average download speed of 500Mbps, which means an HD movie can download in seconds, and you can stream multiple 4K videos without buffering. Vodafone offers an average upload speed of 70Mbps on most networks, though this can be higher in certain CityFibre areas
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Download Speed | Average 500Mbps – suitable for multiple 4K streams and fast downloads |
| Upload Speed | Around 70Mbps (higher in CityFibre areas) |
| Monthly Price | Approximately £33 per month |
| Best For | Larger households, remote workers, or students |
| Contract Length | 24 months |
| Installation Fee | No setup fee |
Priced at £33 per month, this plan is ideal for larger households or people who regularly work or study from home. It comes with a 24-month contract and free setup.
Features
Speed
With a 500Mbps download speed, this broadband plan is well-suited for bandwidth-intensive use across multiple devices. While the average upload speed on Openreach lines is 70Mbps, it can reach symmetrical speeds (500Mbps upload and download) on CityFibre lines.
Vodafone also guarantees a minimum speed of 250Mbps. If your speed regularly falls below this, you can claim compensation or switch to another provider without extra charges.
Pricing
Vodafone Full Fibre 500 costs £33 per month, with a typical annual increase of around £3. While there is no setup fee, it’s worth noting that mid-contract price rises are common across broadband providers.
WiFi Hub
Vodafone provides a WiFi Hub router with WiFi 5 support and dual-band connectivity (2.4GHz and 5GHz), ensuring reliable wireless coverage for typical UK homes. For larger properties or areas that require a stronger WiFi signal, Vodafone offers Super WiFi Boosters at an additional cost.
Installing Vodafone’s broadband is straightforward. Most homes already set up for fibre can use the self-installation option by simply plugging in the router on the activation date. Homes that haven’t previously had fibre will require an engineer visit, which is usually free of charge.
Social Tariffs
Vodafone offers discounted broadband plans for households on government financial support:
- Fibre 1 Essentials (38Mbps) for £12 a month
- Fibre 2 Essentials (73Mbps) for £20 a month
Performance
Vodafone Full Fibre 500 is designed for typical heavy internet use, allowing smooth 4K video streaming on multiple devices, online gaming, and quicker downloads—all at once without any slowdowns.
According to speed tests, its performance remains strong even during peak hours, showing only slight fluctuations. During testing, latency—the delay between sending and receiving data—was low, making it suitable for gaming and video calls. Users can comfortably have several devices connected at once, with no significant slowdown or buffering issues.
In areas served by CityFibre, the higher upload speeds are a significant advantage for people who regularly upload large files, such as remote workers, YouTubers, or gamers live-streaming gameplay.
Setup and Installation
Setting up Vodafone’s router is hassle-free. The supplied WiFi Hub comes with clear instructions, and many users report getting online within minutes.
This basic router offers good WiFi coverage for most small to medium-sized homes. However, in larger homes or those with thick walls, WiFi speeds may decrease significantly, especially in areas far from the router. In these situations, Vodafone’s optional WiFi Boosters are useful, as they extend coverage to rooms further from the main hub.
Overall, the equipment is reliable, easy to use, and straightforward to set up. There’s no need for technical knowledge beyond following the simple instructions.
Comparison with Other Providers
How does Vodafone Full Fibre 500 stack up against competitors? Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Provider | Average Speed (D/U) | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | 500Mbps / 70Mbps | £33 |
| BT | 500Mbps / 73Mbps | £40 |
| Virgin Media | 516Mbps / 36Mbps | £38 |
| Sky | 500Mbps / 60Mbps | £35 |
Vodafone compares well, especially on price and upload speed, making it a great choice for many households.
Customer Service and Reliability
Customer feedback for Vodafone broadband, especially its full fibre service, is generally positive but mixed when it comes to customer support. Vodafone’s service is reliable in terms of performance, with fewer reported outages than older ADSL or FTTC broadband technologies.
When it comes to customer support, many Vodafone broadband users report receiving helpful assistance, while some experience longer waiting times or slower issue resolution.
In terms of reliability, the FTTP (fibre-to-the-premises) network ensures that speeds don’t drop significantly, even during peak hours, and allows for faster upload speeds. Vodafone’s minimum speed guarantee also provides reassurance, with the ISP offering compensation if speeds are consistently lower than promised.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Competitive pricing compared to rivals
- Good download and upload speeds suitable for multiple devices
- Easy setup with no installation cost
- WiFi Boosters to improve WiFi in larger homes
- Clear minimum speed guarantee
Cons
- Annual price rises
- Slow upload speed on Openreach network compared to CityFibre
- Mixed customer reviews
- Optional extras add to monthly costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Vodafone Full Fibre 500 support multiple users at once?
Yes. It easily handles multiple HD or 4K streams, online gaming, and regular browsing at the same time.
Is installation complicated?
Usually not. Self-installation is straightforward for most customers, but some homes will need a simple engineer visit to get fibre set up initially.
What happens if my broadband is slower than promised?
If your speed frequently drops below the guaranteed minimum of 250Mbps, you can get compensation or leave the contract without penalty.
Does it include a landline phone?
No, this plan is broadband-only. If you need a home phone line, you can add it for an extra monthly fee.
Conclusion
Vodafone’s Full Fibre 500 broadband offers excellent performance and ultrafast speeds at a reasonable price. It’s a great option for households with multiple people streaming videos, gaming online, or working from home. The speed guarantee provides peace of mind, and setup is straightforward.
If you’re looking for a reliable mid-tier broadband option, Vodafone Full Fibre 500 is one of the best options to consider. It’s well-suited to both families and professionals, comfortably meeting the demands of modern internet usage.