A record 20.7 million UK homes can now access full-fibre broadband, according to Ofcom’s latest annual report on Britain’s broadband and mobile networks.
The regulator’s Connected Nations report has found 69% (20.7 million) of UK homes now have access to full-fibre broadband, up from 57% (17.1 million) in September 2023.
Full-fibre uses fibre optic cables all the way to the home instead of copper lines and can potentially deliver speeds of one gigabit per second (Gbit/s) or higher, meaning a better experience for streaming, gaming and making video calls.
Taking full-fibre and cable networks together, 25 million homes (83%) now have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection. Ofcom suggests this indicates the Government’s target of 85% coverage by 2025 is likely to be reached.
The number of households signed up to full-fibre broadband services where available has risen from 28% to 35% (7.5 million households) between May 2023 and July 2024.
Take up of full fibre is notably higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Over half (52%) of homes in rural areas with full-fibre access are signed up, compared with just under a third (32%) in towns and cities.
With customers moving in greater numbers to higher-speed broadband packages, the UK average maximum download speed has also increased from 170Mbit/s to 223 Mbit/s in 2024.
Take-up of superfast broadband – services with download speeds of at least 30 Mbit/s – has increased from 72% to 75% of residential and business premises.
The availability of mobile 5G continues to gradually expand. 5G technology now carries more than a fifth (21%) of all monthly mobile data traffic in the UK, while around 50% of mobile handsets are now 5G capable.
Mobile network operators’ 5G coverage outside premises ranges between 61% and 79% each. 5G coverage outside premises where it is available from at least one operator increased to 95% – up from 93% last year.
However, there are significant differences across the UK, with 5G deployed in 42% of sites in urban areas, compared to 16% of sites in rural areas.
4G remains the most used technology, carrying 78% of all monthly mobile data traffic.
