About Cuckoo broadband
Cuckoo has a refreshingly simple approach to home broadband. As well as a fixed price promise, with no cost hikes during your contract, it’s also one of the few providers left with a shorter 12-month contract option still available.
It may not be the cheapest broadband around, but with so many other big-name providers locking their customers into two-year deals and raising prices every spring, a Cuckoo broadband package could work out being less stressful.
Founded in 2019, Cuckoo started accepting customers in 2020. However, in this short period of time, it’s got a reputation for being honest, upfront and providing good customer service.
Can I get Cuckoo?
Cuckoo uses the CityFibre network for its full fibre (FTTP) products. This means that not everyone in the UK will be able to sign up to these deals.
Unfortunately, it stopped selling the wider available Openreach based packages earlier in 2024. During this changeover, Cuckoo’s Openreach network customers were migrated to the broadband provider ‘Home Telecom’.
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What if full fibre (FTTP)?
Full Fibre broadband is also known as ‘Fibre To The Premises’, ‘Fibre To The Home’. This is often shortened to FTTP or FTTH. They’re all the same thing!
Instead of copper telephone wire making up the final part of the journey from that green cabinet on the street, fibre optic cables are installed right up to your home.
It’s amazing the difference in speed this small data journey can have. With full-fibre broadband you can expect to receive speeds of 1Gb+.
The downside is full-fibre is only available to a small percentage of homes in the UK, and it’s taking a good while to get everyone up to speed.
Using Broadband Genie’s deals checker and entering your postcode and house number is the best way to find out if you’re able to sign up to a Cuckoo broadband deal at your home address. Try it now!
What Cuckoo packages are available, and how fast are they?
Cuckoo offers three full fibre deals. All are a ‘broadband only’ service, and all offer symmetrical upload and download speeds:
- C-150: Average download/upload speed: 150Mb
- C-500: Average download/upload speed: 500Mb
- C-900: Average download/upload speed: 900Mb
Deals are available on either a 24-month or 12-month contract and are available without having to pay an upfront set-up fee.
Which Cuckoo package is right for me?
Even Cuckoo’s entry-level package - ‘C-150’ will be fast enough for the average home, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of 150Mb. However, if you have more than 5 people in your home, you often carry out data intensive online tasks, or you regularly have more than 20 devices online, you might benefit from opting for either of its ultrafast deals - ‘C-500’ or ‘C-900’.
For more help figuring out which Cuckoo package is best for your needs, read our guide: ‘what broadband speed do I need? Do I need fast broadband?’.
What router do you get with Cuckoo?
All new customers signing up to Cuckoo will receive a speedy eero Pro 6E router, included in the package cost. This device will be easy to install and includes a 185 square metre wide signal range. However, if you’re still suffering from Wi-Fi dead spots, you can order extra eeros to expand the Truemesh network around your home.
Does Cuckoo offer home phone packages?
Cuckoo’s full fibre broadband doesn’t rely on a landline. Its packages are broadband only, and it doesn’t offer any call add-ons.
If you’re keen to still have a phone package right now, you’ll need to investigate setting up a separate VoIP service such as Vonage VoIP for home. However, Cuckoo has confirmed it should be introducing digital landline options in the future.
Cuckoo broadband: pros and cons
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FAQs about Cuckoo broadband
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How do I switch to Cuckoo?
Cuckoo’s service operates on the CityFibre network. Not all homes in the UK will have access to this. First, check that you can get Cuckoo and sign up. You can do this using Broadband Genie’s deals checker.
If you’re currently with an internet service provider on a different network (Openreach, Virgin Media or another alternative network provider) you’ll need to get in touch to let them know you’re cancelling and switching to Cuckoo.
Before you officially sign up as a new Cuckoo customer, we highly recommend making sure you’re out of contract with your existing provider. Leaving a broadband service early often results in early termination fees and can work out expensive.
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How long does it take to set up an internet connection with Cuckoo?
After you order Cuckoo broadband, you’ll receive your eero Wi-Fi router in the post. You’ll also choose a date that suits you for installation.
Your internet connection will either be using a telegraph pole, or via an underground channel. An engineer will visit your home to install and test your connection. This process should take between 2-3 hours.
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How do I contact Cuckoo?
You can call Cuckoo’s customer support on 0330 912 9955 or by emailing [email protected].
For other ways to get in touch, visit our full guide to Cuckoo customer support and complaints.