Key takeaways: Rebel Internet
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About Rebel Internet
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sign up to a shorter broadband deal, with 24-month contracts unfortunately becoming the norm. This means if you’re living in shorter term accommodation, or you’re not sure of your plans in the future, there aren’t many choices.
Rebel Internet stands out from the crowd with a generous selection of deals. As well as 24-month options, there are 12-month (a real rarity) and rolling 1-month options available.
Plus, you’re guaranteed, your contract price will stay fixed, with no mid-contract hikes.
Rebel Internet broadband packages
Rebel offers three full-fibre packages to customers signing up through Openreach or CityFibre networks, where available:
- Rebel 115 – 115Mb download / 20Mb upload (Openreach only)
- Rebel 550 – 550Mb download / 75Mb upload (500Mb upload on CityFibre)
- Rebel 1000 – 1000Mb download / 115Mb upload (1000Mb upload on CityFibre)
Rebel Fibre (FTTC)
A part-fibre (FTTC) option is available to homes that haven’t yet been upgraded to full-fibre, although average speeds vary by address, so you would need to carry out a postcode check for an estimate.
Rebel doesn’t serve areas that can’t achieve speeds of 20Mb+.
Rebel Internet availability
Rebel Internet uses the Openreach and CityFibre networks.
Where full fibre broadband (FTTP) isn’t available, a part-fibre package is available – ‘Rebel Fibre’. This offers download speeds up to 80Mb.
Customers get an FTTP Upgrade Guarantee – once full fibre arrives, you can switch over free of charge.
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What’s the difference between ‘fibre’ and ‘full-fibre’ broadband?
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 a copper phone line 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.
What router do you get with Rebel?
New rebel customers will receive a Heights HT-178AX Wi-Fi 6 router, but there’s also an option to use a self-sourced router.
Customers can also add on Wi-Fi Mesh SuperPods to extend Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home. These come with a monthly cost of £5 per pod, but do look rather fetching with a hexagonal chrome appearance.
These can also double up as motion detectors, to give you a heads-up if anyone is in your home whilst you’re away.
It's recommended that customers use one SuperPod for every 2-3 rooms, or one for every floor in your house.
You're welcome to use your own router, but if you do, you can't use SuperPods to extend your Wi-Fi networks.
Rebel Wi-Fi 6 Router Specifications
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Genie Tip: Download the Plume Home app to manage your Wi-Fi with Rebel. You can set up guest access, add parental controls and monitor devices in your home.
Read more:
Does Rebel offer broadband and TV bundles?
There are no broadband and TV bundles on offer from Rebel, although there are plans to include this in the future.
You will need to sign up to a separate TV service such as NOW TV to access premium channels.
Compare Broadband & TV Bundles
Does Rebel Internet offer home phone packages?
Yes. Rebel offers an internet-based phone service costing £10 per month.
For this, you’ll receive unlimited UK calls to landlines and mobiles (except 900 numbers). Unfortunately, it’s not possible to make international calls.
To make use of this service, you will need to provide your own VoIP-compatible handset.
Rebel Internet customer support
The Rebel Knowledge Hub is your first port of call if you’re having problems with your broadband connection, or need support for issues like billing or guidance for topics such as cancellation or switching.
The Customer Success Team is UK-based and can be contacted at:
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Text: +44 333 222 5101 (emergency faults text: +44 20 4538 7374)
or book a call back.
Sign in to the customer portal and you can control some aspects of your service yourself, including:
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Cancelling Rebel Internet
New customers signing up to Rebel have a 14-day cooling-off period in which they can leave without paying a fee if they’re not happy.
After this, you will only be able to switch for free if you’re outside your contract term. All customers will need to give 30 days notice to cancel, even if they’re on a rolling monthly contract.
Early termination fees
If you cancel whilst you’re still in contract, you will be charged for the remaining sum left on your minimum period. This will be added to your final month’s bill.
Complaining about Rebel
Rebel has a clear Complaints Code. If you’re unhappy about the service, you should first send your complaint to [email protected].
Rebel scores highly on Trustpilot with an ‘Excellent’ score. Reviewers are keen to highly their good experience with the customer service team and the ease at which they can speed to real and knowledgeable individuals.
Installation and switching
Thanks to the One Touch Switch system, Rebel handles cancellation of your old service.
After signing up, you will then be able to select your preferred start date. Typical activation varies. If you already have an active line at your property, you may be able to self-install within a few days. If new installation is required, the average wait time is around two weeks.
If you’ve never been hooked up to a full fibre broadband service before, an engineer will come to install a new broadband line. This will involve drilling a new hole to bring the larger fibre optic cable into your property. A box (Optical Network Terminal) will then be mounted inside your home.
Genie Tip: If you're switching from an alternative network (altnet) that isn't on Openreach, overlap your services by a week. This will help make sure you have no interruptions to your service.
Rebel: pros and cons
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FAQs about Rebel Internet
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Does Rebel offer a Social Tariff?
No. Rebel doesn’t offer a Social Tariff. Find more options in our guide to finding broadband on benefits.
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Is Rebel Internet broadband available in my area?
Rebel has good availability throughout the UK. If you can’t sign up to one of its full fibre deals it’s more than likely you will have the option for its part-fibre package - ‘Rebel Fibre’. If your home then has access to full fibre, you will be upgraded to a faster speed.
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How fast is Rebel Internet?
Rebel deals offer broadband speeds starting from 74Mb. If you can sign up to full fibre, its fastest deal has an average speed of 1000Mbps.
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Does Rebel Internet raise prices mid-contract?
No. There's a fixed price promise. At the end of contract period, customers are moved onto a rolling contract basis at the same rate (although these may be subject to price changes).
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How do I contact Rebel Internet customer service?
Rebel customer support can be contacted by emailing: [email protected].
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Is Rebel Internet better than BT or Virgin Media?
All Rebel Internet deals come with a fixed price promise. There’s also a wider range of contract lengths.
But unlike BT or Virgin Media, its deals are broadband only with the option to add-on some inclusive calls. There’s less choice when it comes to entertainment bundles with no TV services and likely smaller value special offers such as gift cards.
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What contract lengths does Rebel Internet offer?
You have a choice of 24, 12 or 1-month contracts with Rebel.
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What network does Rebel broadband use?
Rebel currently provides services through the CityFibre and Openreach networks.
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Are there any contract free deals with Rebel Internet?
Yes. 1-month deals are available, but you will have to pay a set-up fee.
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Can you get a static IP with Rebel?
Yes, this is available as an add-on for an extra £2.50 per month
Ready to see if Rebel is available at your home?
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