More than half of UK properties can access gigabit internet, figures show

21 September 2021, 13:14

Broadband research
Broadband research. Picture: PA

A total of 50.2% of homes and businesses now have access to gigabit-capable broadband.

More than half of UK homes and businesses have access to gigabit-capable broadband, new figures show.

According to data from the broadband checker website ThinkBroadband, 50.2% of properties across the country are able to access the faster internet connection, up from around 6% in January 2019.

The Government has hailed the milestone as a key moment in its £5 billion Project Gigabit, the nationwide rollout of faster internet connections, with the figures meaning more than 15 million properties are covered by the top commercial broadband speeds.

Faster broadband speeds are becoming increasingly necessary as more internet-connected smart devices become available for the home, and online streaming services become more prevalent.

“We’ve passed the halfway point in our national mission to level up the UK with lightning-fast gigabit broadband,” Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said.

“Millions of people can now access the fastest, most reliable internet connections, allowing them full advantage of new technologies over the next 40 years.

“Thanks to the work of industry and our record £5 billion investment, we are making phenomenal progress in the Prime Minister’s infrastructure revolution.”

According to the figures, West Dunbartonshire in Scotland has seen one of the biggest surges in gigabit broadband coverage, with availability rising from 1% in July 2020 to 95% today.

Similarly, coverage in Blackpool has risen from 2% in January 2019 to 85% and in Reading it has climbed from 5% in January 2019 to 93%.

“We are pleased to see the UK break through the 50% mark for gigabit availability across the UK and if existing plans from providers come to fruition we are looking at 65 to 68% gigabit coverage in early 2022,” ThinkBroadband editor Andrew Ferguson said.

“The next few years are going to be transformative for the UK broadband market with the many full-fibre networks being built and we look forward to mapping all of them and ensuring the public can easily see what their broadband options are.”

Earlier this month, Virgin Media O2 confirmed its own gigabit network was available to more than 10 million homes.

The telecoms giant’s chief executive, Lutz Schuler, said the company was helping to “future-proof” the UK.

“As the UK’s largest gigabit provider, Virgin Media O2 is leading the charge to roll out next-generation services across our entire network at an unrivalled pace,” he said.

“Our continued investment has brought future-proof gigabit connectivity to more than 10 million homes and we’re committed to finishing the job.

“With a clear plan to connect our entire network to gigabit speeds by the end of the year, we’re proud to be playing the leading role in delivering most of the Government’s broadband target ahead of schedule and boosting the UK up the global broadband league tables.”

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Sam Thompson using an Echo device to support living with ADHD

Amazon launches campaign to show how Alexa can support those with ADHD

Microsoft introduced the AI assistant button

More funding needed for women-led AI start-ups, report says

Westminster

MPs shown Scottish-made ‘unicorn’ satellite at committee meeting

Facebook staff lay offs

Former Meta HQ in London to become science and tech hub

A Nationwide Building Society sign

Nationwide Building Society launches British Sign Language service

Cyber threat report

UK in ‘better position’ against cyber attacks, but most businesses not resilient

Drone

Flying taxis could take off in two years under Government drones plan

Supermarket technical issues

Tesco and Sainsbury’s hit with technical issues on same day

Apple logo in window of store

Norfolk County Council secures settlement as Apple agrees £384m lawsuit payment

Civil Service roles to relocate

Whitehall lacks the skills to implement AI, says National Audit Office

Laptop under cyber attack

Health board hit by cyber attack with ‘significant quantity’ of data at risk

Children and violent online content

Encountering violent online content starts at primary school – Ofcom

Bitcoin

Australian computer scientist is not Bitcoin founder Satoshi, High Court rules

Google website

Google starts rollout of restrictions on AI as key global election year looms

The gov.uk website

NHS and Government websites should be made free of data charges, ministers told

Schools minister Damian Hinds

Getting a mobile phone ‘a rite of passage’ for children, says schools minister