Rebel broadband review: strong kit and flexible contracts, but you pay for them

Verdict

Rebel is a well-equipped provider that runs on the Openreach network, so its availability is broader than you would expect from a newer or altnet supplier. The supplied Wi-Fi 6 router is capable, the Full Fibre plans reach ultrafast speeds, and the contract terms are more flexible than most, including a rolling monthly option. Against that, the prices sit at the pricier end, and the range is narrow: broadband only, with no TV bundles. If you value the flexibility and the hardware and you are willing to pay for them, Rebel makes sense. If your main concern is the monthly bill, you can do better elsewhere.

Deals and prices

The live pricing on a 12-month contract is as follows:

• Rebel Fibre: 74 Mbps download, £36 a month, £432 over the contract, currently with a £40 gift card
• Rebel 1Gb: 1000 Mbps download, £42 a month, £504 over the contract, currently with a £60 gift card
• Rebel 1000: 944 Mbps download, £50 a month, £600 over the contract, currently with a £40 gift card

None of these carry a setup fee, and each includes the router. The first month's payment is taken up front, and these offers are online only. Gift card promotions come and go and vary by contract, so treat the amounts above as current rather than fixed.

Rebel sits at the pricier end compared with other providers. The gift cards soften that, but they are one-off sweeteners rather than a lower running cost, so weigh the monthly figure first.

Rebel also publishes a price commitment: new and existing customers pay the same, and there are no above-inflation mid-contract price increases.

Speeds and network

Rebel runs on the Openreach network and offers one fibre package plus three Full Fibre packages. There is no ADSL.

The Full Fibre plans are FTTP. Advertised speeds run from 115 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, through 330 Mbps down and 50 Mbps up, to 1000 Mbps down and 115 Mbps up. The fibre-only Rebel Fibre package is FTTC, with an advertised average download of 74 Mbps.

These are advertised figures. Rebel is not signed up to Ofcom's voluntary code of practice on broadband speeds, which is worth knowing when you compare the headline numbers with what other providers commit to.

Contract, router and fees

Contract lengths are 1-month rolling, 12-month or 24-month. The 12-month and 24-month terms carry the same monthly price as each other, so there is no saving from locking in for longer. The rolling monthly contract has a one-off setup fee of £100, which is the trade-off for the flexibility.

That rolling option at the same monthly price as the fixed terms is unusual, and it is the standout feature of Rebel's contract structure. If you expect to move soon or want to avoid a long commitment, it is a genuine reason to look here.

The supplied router is the Heights HT-178AX Wi-Fi 6. For larger homes, optional Plume SuperPod Wi-Fi 6 mesh extenders are available at extra cost for whole-home coverage. There is no installation charge for engineer appointments where one is needed.

Beyond broadband, the only add-on is an optional VoIP home phone service at £10 a month with unlimited UK domestic calls. There are no TV or SIM bundles.

Who should choose it, and who should not

Rebel suits people who want a capable router and the flexibility of a rolling contract without paying a premium over the fixed-term monthly price, and who have Full Fibre available and want ultrafast speeds. Its Openreach footprint means many homes can get it.

It is a weaker fit if you are watching costs closely, since it is more expensive than many rivals, or if you want everything in one place. There are no TV or mobile bundles, so the product choice is narrow.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Wide availability through the Openreach network, broader than typical newer providers
• Flexible contracts, including a rolling monthly option at the same monthly price as fixed terms
• Fast and ultrafast speeds on the Full Fibre plans
• Capable supplied Wi-Fi 6 router, with optional mesh extenders for whole-home coverage

Cons

• Relatively expensive compared with other providers
• No TV bundles and limited overall product choice