This is our second forward-looking report about planned network deployments supporting very high speed broadband services in the United Kingdom (UK), which, for all fixed networks we have examined, are now all based on full fibre technology.
This analysis also includes the plans of operators to extend or upgrade fixed wireless access networks so as to provide very high speed broadband, with download speed of at least 100 megabits per second.
The report is based on the stated deployment plans of network operators as of May 2023 up to three years in advance. These plans include those that are privately funded as well as any plans that are supported through public funds/intervention. However, the report only focuses on Communications Providers’ planned deployments and does not take account of any aspirations or plans by public authorities, whether national or local, to roll out networks in their geographical areas.
We have prepared and published this report to supplement our Connected Nations report, which deals with existing network coverage information and associated matters.
Key findings
- Total number of properties to have full fibre availability in 2026 could be as high as 27.0m (91% of all properties). If all network deployments are realised as planned, the number of properties covered by full fibre will increase from 15.4 million (as of May 2023) to 27.0 million by May 2026. Gigabit-capable coverage could be in excess of 94%.
- Plans for full fibre networks up to 2025 are lower compared with 2022 plans. Comparing the planned network deployments with those received last year, as well as the actual deployment achieved in the intervening 12 months, shows that deployment has been lower (by around 3 percentage points), and providers have also revised their future plans downwards (by around 4 percentage points).
- Networks are planned in all areas across the UK, although some regions can expect to see greater growth than others. While the amount of planned build varies between local authorities, over 90% of these should see gigabit-capable coverage exceeding 60% of residential premises. Both rural and urban areas are being targeted by network operators. Although much of the planned network build is focussed in urban or suburban areas, rural areas can also expect substantial network deployment. This is usually from smaller operators and sometimes supported by public incentive schemes.
Almost all local authority areas in the UK have more than three network operators planning to deploy networks in the future; many regions having more than ten operators planning to build. Some of this build is complementary whereas others may result in direct competition at individual premises. We estimate that up to 76% of properties will be able to take VHCN (gigabit capable) services from two or more providers by 2026. - We also anticipate Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks offering high speed broadband (>100Mbit/s) to expand. Our data reports that around 5,400 (out of around 27,000) further FWA masts are being planned or upgraded across the UK that may be capable of offering high speed broadband. However, it is not straightforward to extrapolate from this information the number of premises that could receive these high-speed FWA broadband services.
