Almost every UK property could be able to receive full fibre in 2027, according to Ofcom’s latest Planned Network Deployments report.
The study has found that gigabit broadband availability could be as high as 29 million or 96 per cent of properties in 2027.
If all network deployments are realised as planned, the report said that the number of properties covered by full fibre will increase from 18.7 million (as of January 2024) to around 29 million by May 2027.
Gigabit-capable coverage could be in excess of 97 per cent by 2027.The report also revealed that plans in 2024 for full fibre networks up to May 2026 are lower compared with plans to May 2026 made in 2023. Comparing the planned network deployments with those received last year, shows that providers have revised their future plans downwards (by around 3 percentage points across the UK). However, plans for which operators have higher confidence of achieving is slightly (+2pp) higher than last year.
Networks are planned in all areas across the UK, the study concluded, although some regions can expect to see greater growth than others. For example, plans for full fibre networks up to 2026 in Scotland are broadly similar to those reported last year, whereas plans for deployments in Wales are 4 percentage points lower compared with 2023 plans. Variations in build plans for different local authorities are also observed, but, overall, Ofcom estimates that 96 per cent local authorities will be able to receive gigabit-capable coverage, exceeding 60 per cent of residential premises, by 2027.
The report also found that if all plans are realised as expected, coverage of gigabit-capable networks in urban areas could increase from 22 million (85 per cent) today to 25.6 million (99 per cent) in 2027 and from 2.1 million (49 per cent) to 3.8 million (88 per cent) in rural areas. Again, the picture varies across regions and local authorities.
Almost all local authority areas have more than three network operators planning to deploy networks in the future, the study revealed, with many regions having more than 10 operators planning to build.
Ofcom also estimates that up to 81 per cent of properties will be able to take gigabit-capable services from two or more providers by 2027.
The regulator also anticipates an expansion of fixed wireless access networks offering high speed broadband services (of more than 100Mbps). Its data has revealed that, over the planned period, around 4,300 further FWA masts are being planned or upgraded across the UK, in addition to around 28,500 existing ones, that may be capable of offering high speed broadband.