ISP Shell Energy UK Launch Ultrafast G.fast Broadband Packages
Energy provider and UK ISP Shell Energy has become the latest provider to introduce a new range of “ultrafast fibre” broadband packages, although instead of going with FTTP they seem to initially be launching using only Openreach’s hybrid fibre G.fast network that is no longer being deployed at scale.
As usual the new packages all include a wireless router, 18-month minimum contract term, free activation, unlimited usage, copper line rental with standard call rates (PAYG) and an engineer installation.
At the time of writing Shell’s new Ultrafast Fibre page doesn’t appear to mention what service speeds (average) each package delivers (except for 290Mbps in the small print on their top tier) and so we’ve opted to list the typical averages below, which roughly reflects what other ISPs offer for the same G.fast tiers.
We’ve also listed Shell’s existing ADSL and FTTC based broadband packages below, which have some included extras as part of the current promotion (the bonus devices will be available to order until 5th October 2020).
Fast broadband
11Mbps Avg. Download
Free Chromecast
Price: £21.99 per monthSuperfast Fibre
35Mbps Avg. Download
Free Chromecast and Nest Hub
Price: £30.99 per monthSuperfast Fibre Plus
63Mbps Avg. Downloads
Free Chromecast and Nest Hub Max
Price: £35.99 per month
Ultrafast Fibre
145Mbps Avg. Download (29Mbps upload)
Price: £29.99 per month for 18 months (£39.99)Ultrafast Fibre Plus
290Mbps Avg. Download (49Mbps upload)
Price: £39.99 per month for 18 months (£44.99)
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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Do we know who they mainly wholesale form?
Its says….
“Openreach’s hybrid fibre G.fast network “
Openreach only provide the open-access network (Last mile) Shell don’t buy directly from Openreach so they must Wholesale from another provider and that’s what I asked
Openreach is the underlying network, but often ISPs will buy from a middle company that does the wholesale with added extras (capacity etc.). In this case I believe they’re using TalkTalk’s Wholesale product (not to be confused with TT’s own retail products) and it’s probably a managed platform.
Thanks @Mark for clarifying that
I also think they use TalkTalk, as when I check what is available I get “Sorry, we are unable to supply you with broadband in your area right now.” when OR ADSL is available.
OR don’t provide any ADSL. It’s only available from LLU operators, of which BT Wholesale is one (of several).
Ok,happy to be corrected – change the last part of my comment to “…when BT ADSL is available.”
It still means that nothing at all is available from either Shell or TalkTalk (so much for “For Everyone”).
Actually to follow up on that, my exchange is not LLU enabled so ADSL isn’t only available from LLU operators.
Which exchange?
Must be very small and/or remote to have had no interest from TalkTalk.
My exchange is Netherend. It was all EO, but the BDUK FTTC build added two cabinets 5 years ago – however they wouldn’t pay to connect any bundles where not all lines would get >=30Mbps. I would probably have got 18Mbps from FTTC, which would have been nice. There’s no LLU, so no TalkTalk, Vodafone, Sky, etc. for the remaining EO lines.
At least we did get upgraded from ADSL Max to ADSL2+ a couple of years ago, but I’m now just using 4G.
Hopefully they will move into the FTTP market soon too, isn’t enough competition yet especially at the domestic end where slower speeds are all that’s wanted.
I know will see strong effect caused by Lockdown/WFH on ADSL -> FTTP FTTC -> GFast and FTTC -> FTTP packages when data starts to trickle through.
Also on uptake of second FTTC lines: there is a reason that a load of he bigger providers launched offers on this. They would not have bothered if there was not a market for it!
In areas like mine where FTTC has never been installed most will go direct from ADSL to FTTP, a few like me have been on 4G for the past few years but WFH has effectively shortened its life.
This sounds that all consumers are been twisted up and down using terms FTTP, FAST BROADBAND,SUPER FAST,FIBRE etc.. to absorb their hard earned money. In the UK The Internet and generally telecommunication is far too expensive and SLOW compared to other European countries those allow customers to get minimum of 1200 MBs or 1.2 GBs package just between Euro 35 60. Here in THE UK consumers are struggling to get at least 50 MBs connection. Sadly.
60% of the UK’s population can get 500 Mb/s or higher.
I think you meant to write this on the article regarding cost and speed comparisons between the UK and the EEA.
I had this installed yesterday. Upto 160Mbps for £29.99 per month. Line is a little unsteady but was told it can be for upto 10 days. Best speeds so far is 127Mbps/30Mbps Only negative so far is Router sent by Shell doesn’t accept fibre so engineer had to provide a 2nd device to convert, so now have 2 devices plugged in.
Now, this is interesting, Can you provide the make and model of the router they provided?
All g.Fast connections require a serperate modem and router, even with BT. What router did they supply you? does it have AC wifi and Gigabit ethernet ports?
No @DC my cousin got G.fast form BT and their router supports it fine.
You right, the latest BT SmartHub 2 has built in g.Fast modem.
Shell g.Fast is supplied with a Technicolor DWA0120 and Openreach modem.
Depends on your use, some people prefer having seperate modem/router as usually the supplied router is normally rubbish
If they were free they’d still be not worth the money. Shocking upload speeds render my internet virtually unusable. Customer service worse than useless. Serves me right for not reading all the reviews before I migrated to them and now I’m tied in for another 11 months.