Broadband speeds need to be fast for running a business, but a solid broadband connection is becoming more and more important for homeowners too. With more devices working at once, in both settings, having a fast broadband speed can be the difference between stress and calm for any activity. So, how does the UK fare for its broadband speeds?

In terms of our network as a whole, it is reported that only 10% of households have access to full-fibre broadband. As for “superfast” broadband, defined as having speeds in excess of 30 Mbps, there is a 95% coverage for businesses and households across the UK. When you compare this to countries in Scandinavia and nations like Singapore, we don’t look very appealing as a country for broadband. Singapore boasts an average broadband (download) speed in excess of 70 Mbps, whilst in the UK, the mean download speed sits at a measly 25 Mbps (Not an exact figure, but it shows the huge difference in the quality and quantity of infrastructure).

The UK government has made plans to give 96% of households access to full-fibre broadband, but this plan has seen numerous delays, and with the current climate, it doesn’t look like we could see the 96% any time soon, or not before 2025 for that matter.

Openreach has almost doubled the full-fibre coverage since 2019, and if they continue at the rate of doubling the coverage year-on-year, then a 2025 rollout could be possible, but with Brexit, coronavirus and a long-haul recovery looking likely to take priority, we couldn’t see it rolling out nationwide for a long time.

That means bad news for rural communities, who can face broadband speeds of less than a third of that of the top speeds in cities and built-up areas. Unsurprisingly, London (south) has the best average broadband speeds, while Devon faces the slowest on average.

Written by Harrison Jones

(References: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52646811 / https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/06/uk-regions-struggling-broadband-speeds-less-third-fastest-rates/ https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252475876/Just-10-of-UK-homes-and-businesses-have-access-to-full-fibre-broadband)