Aquiss launch Openreach 1.2 and 1.8 Gbps services

Broadband provider Aquiss has announced the launch of its 1.2 Gbps and 1.8 Gbps Openreach-based full fibre (FTTP) broadband services to complement post-Gigabit services offered through CityFibre, Full Fibre and Freedom Fibre.

There are still comparatively few ISPs who are offering Openreach-based FTTP services above 1 Gbps. When comparing, it’s worth noting that whether the service is 1.6Gbps or 1.8Gbps, the underlying technology is the same and most of the time your performance is likely to be similar.

Pure Fibre 1200 (1.2 Gbps package)
- Average speeds of 1,000Mbps download / 100Mbps upload
- £28.50/month for the first 6 months, then £57/month
- No setup/activation fees & 12-month contract
Pure Fibre 1800 (1.8 Gbps package)
- Average speeds of 1,650Mbps download / 110Mbps upload
- £30.00/month for the first 6 months, then £60/month
- No setup/activation fees & 12-month contract

Aquiss offers a static IPv4 address and IPv6 blocks with every broadband package sold, has no mid-contract price increases, and no annual CPI+x% price increase like many of the larger providers, and an increasing number of Altnets.

“These speeds represent the very finest broadband experience available today. We’ve always believed that families who appreciate quality, reliability and thoughtful service deserve connectivity that matches their refined lifestyle. By being among the first to bring 1.2Gbps and 1.8Gbps packages to the Openreach network, we’re offering our customers an exquisite, future-proof digital foundation they can truly indulge in.”

Martin Pitt, Managing Director, Aquiss

Full current list of Aquiss packages: –

G.Fast – IMPORTANT NOTE ON SPEEDS — This postcode is likely to get a G.Fast service which is a ‘part fibre’ service capable of much faster speeds as the fibre comes closer to your home than ‘FTTC’ however it is still dependent on the line length. We expect your speeds around downstream. If a package is advertised with a faster speed below, you may not be able to receive the full speed at your location. Check with your provider before ordering. Read more about broadband technologies.

Part Fibre (FTTC) – IMPORTANT NOTE ON SPEEDS — This postcode should be able to to receive a ‘fibre-optic’ service. Some fibre services are ‘full fibre’ (FTTP) whilst others are ‘part fibre’ (FTTC) which means speeds can vary based on how long your line is. We think you’re likely to get part-fibre services downstream. The packages below may include listings with faster average speeds, however you may not get the full speeds shown on the package. Check with your provider before ordering a part-fibre (FTTC) product which advertises speed of up to 80Mbps. Read more about broadband technologies.

ADSL — This postcode should be able to receive an ADSL2 + service which is delivered over a copper telephone line from your home to the telephone exchange. The quality and length of the line will determine your maximum speed. The packages below may include listings with faster average speeds, however you may not get the full speeds shown on the package. You are likely to get speeds around downstream. Check with your provider before ordering a copper (ADSL2+) product which advertises speed of up to 24Mbps. Read more about broadband technologies.

Provider		Package	Download speed (average)	Monthly (inc. VAT)	First year cost(inc. VAT)
Loading ISP Packages.

What exactly do you do with a broadband connection this fast? — Aquiss refers to ‘pristine 8K content‘ but the reality is content tends to cap out at around 4K these days. In due course with better cameras, it’s likely we’ll start seeing content above 4K from some creators, but this would only be useful if you have a monitor or TV which exceeds 4K and the issue the quality of human vision and the distance you view TV at is becoming a bottleneck. Even Apple’s latest top end StudioDisplay XDR is only 5K and its previous flagship ProDisplay XDR introduced in 2019 was only 6K. There are 8K TVs, and there is YouTube 8K video content, but it’s ‘niche’ to be blunt.

Apple Studio Display XDR — only 5K Resolution priced at £2,999
(previous ProDisplay XDR was only 6K; was £5,500+ including £950 ‘stand’)

The major let-down — The main problem with Openreach’s hyper-fast packages isn’t the great download speed, but the mediocre 100Mbps-ish upload speed. Many altnets (including ones sold by Aquiss) have symmetric speeds, often as lower costs. Aquiss’ CityFibre 2500 service with advertised 2.2Gbps speeds (which you should expect pretty much most of the time at least) is £55/month. This of course is down to Openreach product selection, not an Aquiss issue. This comes down to using GPON rather than XGS-PON in many cases. Openreach does have some XGS-PON based pilots with faster uploads including symmetric services.