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What affects your Broadband speed

Rebel Internet does not restrict speeds, so you can fully enjoy the best possible Internet.

Whether you’re a Rebel Fibre customer or using Rebel 115/300/1000, your connection is never speed‑limited by us. You always receive the fastest broadband available at your address, exactly as your line can provide.

However, there are a few common factors outside our control that can affect how fast your broadband feels. Below are the three main types of usage that can impact your experience.

1. Using a VPN

A VPN can slow down your broadband because it reroutes your internet traffic through a different location — sometimes to the other side of the world. This adds extra distance and can increase both latency and ping times.

If you’d like to learn more, we have a full article explaining how VPNs can affect your speeds and what you can do to improve performance.

2. Downloading from Servers Far Away

When you download or stream content from websites hosted outside the UK, your speeds may appear slower. This is because data has to travel a much greater distance.

For example:

  • A UK‑based website will load much faster
  • A site hosted in Asia or North America may load more slowly
    This isn’t an issue with your Rebel connection — it’s simply how global routing works.

3. Understanding Upload Speeds

Rebel Broadband uses the Openreach network, which provides upload speeds at around one‑fifth of the available download speeds. This means your upload speeds will always be lower than your downloads — this is expected and normal.

In addition, upload bandwidth is shared by devices in your home. Many modern devices constantly upload small amounts of data, such as:

  • Video doorbells (e.g., Ring)
  • Smart TVs
  • Voice assistants (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home)
  • Cameras and other IoT devices

If several devices are uploading at once, it can temporarily impact your overall experience.

Additional Information for Rebel Fibre (Copper‑Based) Customers

Rebel Fibre (FTTC) uses copper for part of the journey between your home and the street cabinet. Because of the physical nature of copper lines, your speed can be affected by:

• Distance to the street cabinet

The further your home is from the cabinet, the more the signal naturally weakens.

• Weather conditions

Extreme conditions — such as heavy rain, storms, or high humidity — can interfere with copper wiring and cause temporary speed drops.

These factors do not affect customers on full fibre, which uses fibre optic cable all the way to the home.