New data from Ofcom shows that 20.7 million UK premises can now access full fibre broadband.
The latest edition of the regulator’s Connected Nations report found that 69 per cent (20.7 million) of UK premises now have access to full fibre broadband, up from 57 per cent (17.1 million) in September 2023. Northern Ireland is leading the way for the nations with 93 per cent of premises able to access full fibre.
Full fibre networks, as well as cable, can potentially deliver speeds of one gigabit per second (Gbit/s) or higher, which allows for a better experience when doing activities like streaming, making video calls or gaming.
Taking full fibre and cable networks together, 25 million homes (83 per cent) now have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
The number of households signed up to full fibre broadband services where available has risen from 28 per cent to 35 per cent (7.5 million households) between May 2023 and July 2024.
Ofcom noted that take up of full fibre is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Over half (52 per cent) of homes in rural areas with full fibre access are signed up, compared with just under a third (32 per cent) in towns and cities.
In addition, satellite broadband take up has more than doubled. In 2024, Starlink’s satellite broadband reached 87,000 connections – the majority in rural areas – more than doubling from 42,000 last year.
The availability of mobile 5G is also continuing to gradually expand. 5G technology now carries more than a fifth (21 per cent) of all monthly mobile data traffic in the UK, while around 50 per cent of mobile handsets are now 5G capable.
Mobile network operators’ 5G coverage outside premises ranges between 61 per cent and 79 per cent each. 5G coverage outside premises where it is available from at least one operator increased to 95 per cent – up from 93 per cent last year.
Ofcom added that there remains significant differences across the UK, with 5G deployed in 42 per cent of sites in urban areas, compared to 16 per cent of sites in rural areas.
4G remains the most used technology, carrying 78 per cent of all monthly mobile data traffic. 4G landmass coverage where it is available from at least one operator is now at 95 per cent, up from 93 per cent last year, largely driven by the Shared Rural Network programme.