Knowledge

Internet Speeds and Broadband in the UK

Internet connectivity is as important as reliable transport links. Internet speeds and superfast availability are top priorities in most homes today.

Harry Yau

November 4, 2024

Before people started working from home due to the pandemic, a high-quality internet connection was a nice-to-have luxury, but our daily lives today, including work, revolve around reliable connectivity. As such, superfast broadband is a must-have in any property.

The average download speed in the UK gathered from 1.1 billion tests is 72.06Mbs, ranking the UK 35^th fastest in the world. This is quite remarkable because the average global download speed is 34.79Mbps. However, it is important to consider that internet speeds are often tested when something is wrong with the internet connection, so the results of this research can present internet speeds in the UK to be lower than they actually are.

According to Ofcom, superfast broadbands (30Mbps+) networks are available to over 96% of UK premises, and 66% of UK premises have 1Gbps+ networks (33%) if you only include FTTP networks. The UK government has a project aiming to extend gigabit coverage to all of the UK. The £5 billion Project Gigabit will extend gigabit coverage to at least 85% of UK premises by the end of 2025 and 99% by 2030.

Through Project Gigabit, over 1.1 million homes and businesses will gain access to gigabit-capable networks in the first phase. Upon completion of Project Gigabit, the UK will be among the top five fastest internet speeds worldwide.

Superfast broadband providers in the UK

There are numerous broadband providers in the UK, all offering different packages for different buyers. The average broadband connection cost in the UK is £79.40 per month for an ultrafast package. Internet costs in the UK vary based on the region and the internet provider. Urban Centers have faster internet speeds, so the cost of activation and monthly payments are higher. There are also bundled deals offering broadband, phone, and TV packages, so household bills on the internet may vary from household to household based on the size of the family and their internet speed preference.