Ofcom Connected Nations update – May 2021

Ofcom has published its Connected Nations spring update which provides details of UK coverage and service availability as of January 2021.

Key Findings

• The number of homes able to get gigabit-capable broadband is over 10.8 million homes (37%), up from 7.9 million (27%) since the last report.
• Full fibre coverage is up to 21% from 18% in the four months between September 2020 and January 2021 with just under 6 million homes covered.
• Superfast and ultrafast broadband coverage continues to expand across the UK with superfast broadband coverage remaining at 96%, and ultrafast broadband rising to 61% (from 59% in September).
• Mobile coverage remains stable as mobile operators begin rolling out coverage to new areas through the Shared Rural Network scheme.

Note: This month gigabit-capable premises passed the 40% mark and full fibre is above 22%, according to thinkbroadband.

In addition to the regular reporting, in the full report at the end of this year, Ofcom will include information on the coverage of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks.