Retail brand consolidation launched
The Brsk retail brand was retired, new orders moved to YouFibre and the practical focus shifted from shopping between two brands to understanding the migration path for existing accounts.
Provider transition and technology guide
YouFibre vs Brsk: merger, XGS-PON speeds and router changes
Brsk became YouFibre on 16 March 2026. The useful comparison is now less about choosing between two active retail brands and more about account migration, legacy Brsk hardware, current YouFibre packages, XGS-PON performance and the installation live at your address.
Start with your customer status. Existing Brsk customers should check their migrated account, contract summary and installed router. New customers should compare the current YouFibre package, address availability, ONT position and hardware supplied with the chosen speed tier.
Guide index
Brand transition
Brsk became YouFibre on 16 March 2026
Brsk's official transition notice said the retail brand would become YouFibre from Monday 16 March 2026, with new orders directed to YouFibre. The former Brsk customer portal was scheduled to close temporarily from 8pm on 15 March while accounts were switched.
Do not confuse two separate events. The Brsk-to-YouFibre brand transition is complete. The proposed acquisition of Substantial Group by nexfibre is a separate ownership transaction and remained under a Competition and Markets Authority Phase 2 investigation with a statutory deadline of 15 December 2026.
Billing, support and portal migration
Former Brsk customers should expect account, billing and support processes to move through a unified YouFibre system. Confirm the live My Account record, billing date, add-ons and router shown against the migrated service.
CMA Phase 2 statutory deadline
The separate nexfibre/Substantial transaction remained under regulatory review. Treat any future ownership, back-office or branding changes beyond the March migration as unconfirmed until the formal outcome is published.
Existing Brsk customerCheck My Account access, billing date, contract end date, add-ons and the exact router already installed.
New customerOrder through YouFibre and confirm the live address result, package speed, supplied hub, mesh option and installation route.
Router supportDo not assume an automatic equipment replacement. The YouFibre support centre retains guidance for legacy Brsk, eero, Icotera and Technicolor setups.
Price and contractThe migration notice indicated that existing fixed-term customers should keep their agreed monthly price, speed tier and term, but the migrated account and original order documents remain the source of truth.
Need to isolate a fault before or after migration? Use the brsk broadband troubleshooting guide for legacy Line Box and router lights, ONT-first recovery, BetterWiFi evidence and public-IP checks.
Primary references: official Brsk transition notice and the CMA nexfibre/Substantial merger inquiry.
Interactive selector
YouFibre and legacy Brsk customer priority matcher
Choose the situation that applies now that Brsk has become YouFibre. The result focuses on the next practical check rather than pretending that two separate retail brands remain available.
Match the guide to your situation
Select your main priority. The verdict explains the account, hardware or network detail to confirm next.
Recommended next check
Check your migrated account
Confirm My Account access, billing details, contract end date, add-ons and the exact legacy Brsk router already installed.
Merger and technology baseline
YouFibre vs legacy Brsk: brand, XGS-PON and router matrix
The comparison now separates current YouFibre ordering from legacy Brsk accounts and equipment. The underlying line can be highly capable while account, router and contract details still differ by installation generation.
| Comparison metric | Current YouFibre profile | Legacy Brsk profile | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail brand status | Active destination brand for new orders and migrated Brsk customer accounts. | The Brsk retail brand became YouFibre on 16 March 2026. | New customers should compare current YouFibre offers; existing Brsk customers should verify their migrated account. |
| Core technology | Full-fibre altnet service with multi-gigabit tiers where the network and package are available. | Existing Brsk installations use the same broader Netomnia/Substantial network family but may retain legacy account and hardware details. | Check the exact address, ONT and provisioned tier rather than assuming every former Brsk area has identical products. |
| XGS-PON capacity | Modern XGS-PON-class infrastructure can support symmetrical multi-gigabit capacity where provisioned. | The access network can also be highly capable, but the installed ONT, package and customer equipment still set the usable limit. | Network capacity is not the same as speed available to one device. |
| Router and mesh | YouFibre Hub, Hub Pro and YouMesh routes vary by speed tier and package. | Brsk Hub, BetterWiFi, eero, Icotera or Technicolor equipment may remain in service depending on installation generation. | Identify the exact model before applying port, reset, Wi-Fi-band or mesh advice. |
| Installation | May use existing ducts, poles or a new external route to bring fibre to the property and ONT. | Existing drops and ONT positions normally remain the practical starting point after a retail-brand transition. | A brand change does not automatically relocate the ONT or improve weak Wi-Fi coverage. |
| Price and contract | Check the live order summary, fixed-price period, renewal price and add-on charges. | Use the migrated account record and original order confirmation to verify price, term, billing date and add-ons. | Do not rely on a generic merger statement where customer-specific contract documents are available. |
Technical differences
XGS-PON, PIA and the post-Brsk network reality
YouFibre is now the active retail brand, while former Brsk customers can still have different account records, routers, mesh equipment and installation histories. The underlying full-fibre route remains technically separate from the customer-facing brand name.
XGS-PON / 10-Gigabit Symmetrical Passive Optical Network gives the access network substantial multi-gigabit headroom, but the speed experienced by one device still depends on the provisioned package, ONT, router ports, Ethernet adapter, cabling, Wi-Fi client and remote service being used.
Current YouFibre route: multi-gigabit speed and YouMesh
New orders should be assessed against the exact YouFibre package and hardware offered at the address rather than against an old Brsk product name.
- Multi-gigabit tiers: YouFibre advertises residential speeds up to 8000 Mbps where available.
- YouFibre Hub / Hub Pro: the supplied model and usable Ethernet capacity depend on the package and current provisioning rules.
- YouMesh: mesh can improve coverage, but critical multi-gigabit devices still need a suitably fast wired or Wi-Fi client path.
Legacy Brsk route: identify the installed equipment
Former Brsk customers should not assume the brand transition automatically replaces their router or changes the physical fibre drop.
- Multiple equipment generations: YouFibre's support centre retains setup material for Brsk hubs, eero, Icotera and Technicolor equipment.
- BetterWiFi: legacy mesh or booster arrangements may remain relevant to the existing installation.
- Account migration: confirm the router, add-ons and support route shown in the migrated account before resetting or replacing equipment.
Benchmark the connection before and after any migration, router replacement or package upgrade. The dedicated pre-flight module below groups the most relevant LinkSpeed latency, load and exact-address checks in one place.
Physical Infrastructure Access, ducts and overhead drops
Altnets commonly use Physical Infrastructure Access / PIA routes to reuse existing ducts, manholes and telegraph poles where practical. If a street has no usable underground duct, the install may use an overhead fibre drop to the property, then run fibre to an external termination point and internal ONT.
Check the exact address and installation route. A nearby rollout does not guarantee an active order at the property. Confirm whether fibre enters by underground duct, overhead pole drop or a new external route, and ask where the ONT and router will sit.
Repeat the same tests over Ethernet and Wi-Fi after any account, router or package change so you can separate access-line quality from device and home-network limits.
Hardware and networking
Wi-Fi 7, legacy Brsk routers and public-IP checks
A retail-brand transition does not make every customer installation identical. Before comparing headline specifications, identify the exact router, ONT, Ethernet ports, mesh equipment and addressing requirements attached to the account.
Current YouFibre hardware
YouFibre publishes support for its Hub, Hub Pro and YouMesh equipment and promotes Wi-Fi 7 on current hardware routes. The actual model and port capability should be confirmed against the selected package.
Legacy Brsk equipment
Former Brsk installations may use Brsk-branded hubs, eero, Icotera or Technicolor devices. Use the model-specific guide rather than assuming all customers received the newest Wi-Fi 7 hardware.
CGNAT and static IP
Power users should ask whether the service uses shared addressing or CGNAT, whether IPv6 is available, and whether a static public IPv4 add-on is required. YouFibre's terms confirm an additional charge may apply, but its public price book does not currently show a separate fixed static-IP price.
YouPhone and home-phone service
YouFibre does not use a traditional copper telephone socket. YouPhone is a VoIP add-on carried over the broadband connection, and the current public price book lists the basic plan at £5 per month for new customers.
Troubleshooting a live YouFibre connection rather than the brand transition? Use the YouFibre broadband troubleshooting guide for ONT and Wi-Fi 7 Hub lights, the 940Mbps hardware bottleneck, loaded latency and Static IP checks.
Comparing a premium independent ISP outside the altnet hardware route? Review current FRITZ!Box and eero hardware, static-IP service, service-specific PPPoE and VLAN settings, VPN checks and loaded-latency evidence in the Zen Internet broadband troubleshooting guide.
Tracking another account and network transition outside the Netomnia group? Review Onestream billing changes, FTTP and SoGEA identification, wholesale ONT or router lights, eero IPv6 and loaded-latency checks in the Cuckoo broadband troubleshooting guide.
Current YouFibre hardware versus legacy Brsk gear
| Comparison metric | Current YouFibre Hub Pro route | Legacy Brsk equipment profile | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary platform | Current support material references a modern Icotera-led Wi-Fi 7 hub route on newer packages. | Earlier installs may still use Technicolor, eero or older Brsk-supplied hardware depending on generation and package. | Read the model label on the hub already in the property before following any reset or Wi-Fi advice. |
| Combined wireless capacity | Published Wi-Fi 7 marketing focuses on very high aggregate throughput, often quoted at around 20.9 Gbps across 10 streams. | Older Wi-Fi 6 or earlier deployments are typically far lower, often around 5.4 Gbps combined or less depending on the model. | Aggregate wireless capacity is not the same as the speed available to one phone or laptop. |
| Wired interface | Check for multi-gigabit routing with 10G or 2.5G Ethernet paths on the supplied hub and ONT handoff. | Some earlier installations top out at a 2.5G or 1G handoff even when the fibre line itself is faster. | Inspect the WAN/LAN port labels and the Ethernet adapter in the device you want to test. |
| Wireless bands | Tri-band operation can include 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and the cleaner 6 GHz band on Wi-Fi 7 hardware. | Older dual-band hardware typically stays on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz only, which can be more congested. | Check whether older smart-home gear needs a dedicated 2.4 GHz network or a split-band option. |
Why an 8000 Mbps line does not make every device 8000 Mbps
⚡ The line
The XGS-PON access line can deliver up to 10 Gbps to the property ONT, so the fibre route itself may have far more headroom than one individual device can consume.
📶 The bottleneck
Even with a Wi-Fi 7 router, many standard phones and laptops top out around 1 Gbps to 1.5 Gbps in real use. To experience multi-gigabit throughput, use Cat 6a cabling and a device with a 2.5 GbE or 10 GbE network adapter.
1. Fibre packageThe speed tier provisioned on the XGS-PON connection.
2. ONT and routerThe handoff and Ethernet port must support the required rate.
3. Home deviceThe network adapter, cable or Wi-Fi client sets another ceiling.
4. Remote serviceThe website, game server or cloud platform may transfer more slowly.
Multi-gigabit buying rule: confirm a complete multi-gig path before paying for the highest tier. A fast fibre line can still be restricted by a 1 Gbps port, unsuitable cabling, an older Wi-Fi client or a slow remote server.
Smart-home fix: use the dedicated 2.4 GHz or _legacy SSID if older devices stop connecting. Some smart bulbs, cameras and sensors struggle when a new Wi-Fi 7 hub uses unified band steering. The exact menu name can vary by firmware, but the recovery workflow is normally straightforward.
- Sign in to the hub management page using the local address printed on the router label or shown in the model-specific YouFibre support guide. Do not assume every legacy Brsk, Icotera, Technicolor or YouFibre hub uses the same gateway address.
- Open the Wi-Fi or wireless settings and look for split-band controls, legacy mode or a dedicated _legacy SSID option.
- Enable a 2.4 GHz-only network if the device cannot see or join the main combined SSID.
- Reconnect the older device to that dedicated 2.4 GHz network, then keep faster devices on the main Wi-Fi 7 network.
If the menus differ on your model, check the support article specific to the exact hub already installed rather than following generic Wi-Fi 7 advice.
Buying and migration checks
Contract, billing, router and installation checks
⚠️ Migration notice for existing Brsk customers: the published brand-transition messaging indicated that current fixed-term customers should keep their agreed monthly price, provisioned speed and active contract term while the retail brand moved to YouFibre. Treat your migrated account and original order documents as the final source of truth.
Existing Brsk customers should verify the migrated account, monthly price, contract end date, billing date, add-ons and support contact shown in their own records. A brand transition should not be treated as proof of a new router, a restarted contract or a universal price guarantee without checking the customer-specific documents.
New YouFibre customers should compare the live fixed-price term, renewal price, static-IP charge, supplied router, Ethernet port capability and installation route. The current public price book lists YouPhone at £5 per month for new customers and confirms that it uses VoIP rather than a traditional fixed copper line. For gaming and work, prioritise a stable full-fibre line, sensible ONT/router placement and wired Ethernet for critical devices.
Related comparisons
Continue comparing full-fibre networks and providers
Use these guides to move from the YouFibre and legacy Brsk transition into the wider provider market, building-focused altnets, reliability evidence and fibre terminology.
YouFibre and legacy Brsk Broadband FAQs
When did Brsk become YouFibre?
The Brsk retail brand became YouFibre on 16 March 2026. The former Brsk customer portal was taken offline during the account switch, and customers should now follow the account and support instructions supplied by YouFibre.
Is the proposed nexfibre acquisition of the YouFibre group complete?
No. The Competition and Markets Authority Phase 2 inquiry remained open, with a statutory deadline of 15 December 2026. This proposed ownership transaction is separate from the completed Brsk-to-YouFibre brand transition.
Does YouFibre or legacy Brsk equipment offer lower ping for online gaming?
The retail brand does not determine ping on its own. Real-world gaming performance depends on the fibre route, Ethernet versus Wi-Fi, router queue management, packet loss, loaded latency and the route to the game server.
What is XGS-PON technology and why does it matter?
XGS-PON is a 10-gigabit-capable passive optical network standard. It gives the access network substantial symmetrical multi-gigabit capacity, but the package, ONT, router ports and client device still determine usable speed.
Will the Brsk-to-YouFibre transition automatically replace my router?
Do not assume so. YouFibre's support centre retains guidance for several legacy Brsk, eero, Icotera and Technicolor setups. Keep using the installed equipment unless the provider gives account-specific replacement instructions.
Will my Brsk contract or fixed monthly price change because the brand became YouFibre?
The migration notice indicated that existing customers should remain on their current contract, monthly price and provisioned speed through the active fixed term, but the migrated account and original order documents should be treated as the source of truth.
Does YouFibre use CGNAT and can I add a static IP?
Check whether your package uses CGNAT or shared addressing by default and whether a static public IPv4 add-on is available. YouFibre's residential terms confirm that a static IP can carry an additional charge, but its public price book does not currently list a separate fixed static-IP price, so confirm the live account or order flow.
How do I reconnect older smart-home devices after moving to YouFibre Wi-Fi 7 hardware?
Older 2.4 GHz-only devices can struggle with a unified Wi-Fi 7 network. Sign in to the hub management panel, look for split-band or legacy-network options, enable the dedicated 2.4 GHz or _legacy SSID if available, and reconnect the device to that network.
Does YouFibre include a traditional landline and how much is YouPhone?
YouFibre does not require a traditional copper telephone line. Its YouPhone service uses VoIP over the broadband connection, and the current public price book lists the basic YouPhone add-on at £5 per month for new customers.
Can I use my own mesh router with YouFibre or a legacy Brsk installation?
Often yes, but check the provider handoff, ONT, router authentication and support rules first. A third-party mesh can help coverage, while direct Ethernet remains preferable for critical and multi-gigabit devices.