This is our first forward-looking report about planned network deployments supporting very high speed broadband services in the United Kingdom, 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 March 2022 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 is a statement of current network coverage.
Key findings
- Total number of properties to have full fibre availability in 2025 could be as high as 24.8m (84% of all properties). If all network deployments are realised as planned, the number of properties covered by full fibre will increase from 11.0m (as of September 2022) to 24.8 million by March 2025. Gigabit-capable coverage could be in excess of 90%.
- 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 usually from smaller operators, sometimes supported by public incentive schemes.
Almost all local authority regions in the UK have more than 3 network operators planning to deploy networks in the future, many regions having more than 10 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 66% of properties will be able to take VHCN (gigabit capable) services from two or more providers. - We also anticipate Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks offering high speed broadband (>100Mbit/s) to expand. Our data reports that nearly 7,000 further FWA masts are being planned 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.
