Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has released its annual report. In its findings, 12.4 million homes (42%) now have access to a full fibre connection - an increase of 4.3 million homes from last year. In addition, 70 percent of UK households (nearly 21 million) now have access to gigabit broadband through a range of technologies. That's a 47 percent increase over last year.
However, the report goes on to note that only around 25% of homes are using full fibre where available. Meanwhile, the vast majority (97%) of UK households now have access to "superfast" broadband, with download speeds of at least 30Mb/s; although more than a quarter (27%) are not receiving it.
According to the report, nearly 80,000 homes and businesses (0.3%) do not have access to "decent" broadband, which the government defines as offering download speeds of 10Mb/s and upload speeds of 1Mb/s. Many of these are located in the hardest-to-reach areas of the UK. This figure is down from 123,000 last year, of which Ofcom estimates that 15,000 will be covered by publicly funded rollout plans over the next 12 months.
Satellite broadband is cited in the report as an alternative for people who cannot access traditional broadband services.
Thousands of customers in the UK are now using low Earth orbit satellite broadband services, and the government recently announced a new trial using satellites to deliver high-speed internet to a dozen very hard-to-reach locations across the country.
Lindsey Fussell, Group Director of Networks and Communications at Ofcom, said: "With the rapid roll-out of full fibre broadband, more and more people are benefiting from faster and more reliable internet. This is particularly important at this time of year, when online shopping peaks and people stream holiday favourites. It's also encouraging to see more people in hard-to-reach areas getting decent broadband access as work continues to connect rural communities."
