Data: 1 in 5 UK homes can get full-fibre broadband
May 12, 2021
More than one in five UK homes can now access faster, full-fibre broadband, according to new figures published by comms regulator Ofcom.
Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations data highlights broadband and mobile coverage across the UK and its nations.
As of January 2021, around six million UK homes (21 per cent) could get full-fibre broadband – up from 18 per cent in September 2020. Broadband delivered over full-fibre networks is faster and more reliable than the decades-old copper connections that most people still use.
There has also been a significant increase in the availability of gigabit-capable connections. This includes broadband delivered over full fibre networks and the fastest cable technology. Eleven million homes (37 per cent) can now get gigabit-capable services – up from around 8 million (27 per cent) in September 2020.
Availability of superfast broadband remains at 96 per cent and mobile coverage has remained stable. Mobile coverage is set to increase across the UK as companies continue to roll out a Shared Rural Network.
Graeme Oxby, CEO of Community Fibre said: “It’s great to see that over one-fifth of UK homes are covered by full-fibre broadband, as detailed in Ofcom’s recent report. This is promising progress on the UK’s journey to become 100 per cent Gigabit-capable, but there is still much work to be done.
The report focuses mostly on the largest of operators and overlooks the big part that alternative networks have played in the mission to make the UK Gigabit capable. At Community Fibre, our primary goal is to make affordable, resilient and top quality broadband accessible to all Londoners. Community Fibre’s 100 per cent full fibre broadband is now enabled in nearly half (47 per cent) of residential properties in the London borough of Southwark, and over 75 per cent council properties in Wandsworth – a testament to the work we do with more than 30 landlords across the city.
We’re making fast progress on our goal to connect 1 million homes in London with gigabit capable broadband by 2023, with more than 200,000 homes already enabled in early 2021 at no extra cost to landlords or consumers.”