SSE Fibre Speed Test — Service Discontinued (2026)

SSE broadband is no longer available. OVO Energy sold the SSE broadband and phone customer base to TalkTalk in 2022–23, meaning no new SSE broadband contracts can be taken out and former SSE customers have been migrated to TalkTalk. If you are looking to test your current broadband speed or find a new provider, this guide covers equivalent options from TalkTalk and other providers using the same Openreach FTTC and FTTP infrastructure that SSE previously used.

What Were SSE's Broadband Speeds? What to Expect Now on TalkTalk

When SSE broadband was active, it offered two main packages on the Openreach FTTC (part-fibre) network: Unlimited Fibre averaging around 35Mbps download and Fibre Plus averaging around 63Mbps download, with typical upload speeds of 5–10Mbps and latency of 20–50ms. These were comparable in speed to FTTC products from major providers on the Openreach network. Former SSE customers migrated to TalkTalk can now access TalkTalk's much broader range, which includes Full Fibre plans at 150Mbps, 500Mbps, and 900Mbps average download — a significant upgrade from the old SSE FTTC offerings. TalkTalk uses both Openreach and CityFibre, with Full Fibre packages starting from £24 per month on a 24-month contract. Shell Energy (which similarly acquired the Post Office broadband customer base in 2021) is another budget alternative on Openreach, though SSE customers were specifically moved to TalkTalk rather than Shell Energy.

How to Run a Speed Test If You Are Now on TalkTalk

If you were previously with SSE and have been moved to TalkTalk, your router is now a TalkTalk-supplied device — either a TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub or an eero mesh router depending on your package. For the most accurate speed test, connect your laptop or computer directly to the router using an ethernet cable, pause all background downloads and streaming, and run the test at least three times. Ethernet tests eliminate Wi-Fi variables and give the clearest reading of your actual line speed. Compare your result against the minimum guaranteed speed in your TalkTalk welcome communication — if you cannot find this, TalkTalk customer service can confirm the figure. Run tests at both peak times (8–10pm) and off-peak times (mid-morning) to assess network congestion. On TalkTalk's FTTC plans, speeds are heavily influenced by line length from the nearest Openreach street cabinet, so homes further from the cabinet will typically see lower speeds.

Understanding Your Speed Test Results

Speed tests measure four key metrics. Download speed (Mbps) is the most important for streaming, browsing, and downloading files. Upload speed on FTTC plans (the technology SSE used and TalkTalk's legacy plans use) is typically 5–18Mbps — lower than full fibre. On TalkTalk Full Fibre plans, upload speeds improve to 30–110Mbps. Latency (ping) on FTTC is typically 20–50ms; on TalkTalk Full Fibre it drops to 3–17ms, which is a major improvement for gaming and video calls. Jitter on FTTC is also higher than on FTTP, typically varying by 5–15ms versus under 5ms on full fibre. If you are still on an SSE-legacy FTTC plan via TalkTalk and your speeds are low, consider upgrading to TalkTalk's Full Fibre options if Openreach FTTP is available at your address. Full fibre coverage reached 78% of UK premises by April 2026, according to Ofcom. BT and Sky offer equivalent FTTP speed tiers on the Openreach network if you decide to switch provider entirely.

How to Improve Your Speeds (Now on TalkTalk)

If you are now on TalkTalk following the SSE migration and speeds are below expectations, start with the basics. Place your TalkTalk router in a central, elevated location away from other electronic devices. Switch nearby devices to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band for faster, less congested wireless performance. Use ethernet for any device where speed matters most — games consoles, smart TVs, and desktop computers all benefit significantly from wired connections. Restart your router monthly to clear temporary faults. If you are on an FTTC plan and full fibre is now available at your address, upgrading to TalkTalk's Full Fibre 150, 500, or 900Mbps plan will deliver dramatically better speeds, lower latency, and more consistent performance. Under Ofcom's One Touch Switch process (which processed over 1.6 million switches in its first year), switching providers is now faster and simpler than ever. You can also compare options from Sky and other providers on the same Openreach network for potentially better pricing or service.

Compare Broadband Deals at Your Address

SSE broadband is gone — but there are many comparable and better deals available. TalkTalk Full Fibre packages start from £24 per month. Use CompareFibre to check all available providers at your address and find the best deal for your speed needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to SSE broadband?

OVO Energy, which owned SSE's energy and telecoms business, agreed to sell SSE's broadband and phone customers to TalkTalk. The migration of SSE's customer base completed in 2022–23, and SSE broadband is no longer available to new or existing customers. Former SSE customers are now managed entirely by TalkTalk.

I was an SSE customer — can I switch provider now?

Yes. Now that you are on TalkTalk, you can switch to any provider using Ofcom's One Touch Switch process when your current contract ends. If TalkTalk has raised your prices mid-contract beyond what you agreed at sign-up, you may be entitled to exit without penalty. Check your TalkTalk contract terms or contact TalkTalk to confirm.

Were SSE broadband speeds any good?

SSE offered standard Openreach FTTC speeds — 35Mbps average on the standard plan and 63Mbps average on Fibre Plus. These were typical of part-fibre services of that era. The service featured fixed pricing during the contract and a 60-day happiness guarantee. By 2026 standards, FTTC speeds are now considered entry-level, with full fibre FTTP delivering 100–900Mbps as standard from most major providers.

Related Guides

SSE Fibre Broadband Reviews · TalkTalk Fibre Broadband · BT Fibre Speed Test · Broadband Speed Guide · Cheap Broadband Deals

Methodology

This guide is based on publicly available data from Ofcom, provider websites, and independent sources including ISPreview.co.uk, Thinkbroadband, and Point Topic. Pricing, speeds, and availability were verified in April 2026 and are subject to change. CompareFibre is editorially independent — providers do not pay for placement or influence our recommendations.