- Seventeen percent increase in 4G mobile geographic coverage available from all four mobile operators
- More than six in 10 Scottish homes have access to full-fibre broadband
- Innovative approaches and emerging technologies tackling remaining connectivity gaps
Scotland’s population has benefited from significant improvements in 4G mobile geographic and full-fibre fixed network coverage over the last year, according to the Connected Nations 2024: Scotland report published today.
Substantial improvements in mobile geographic coverage in Scotland
Our report found that 89% of Scotland's geography has coverage from at least one of the four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) – up five percentage points from last year. This is, at least in part, owing to the impact of the Scottish Government-funded 4G Infill Programme and the UK Government funded Shared Rural Network programme.
There has also been a seventeen-point increase in the proportion of Scotland’s geography which has coverage from all four MNOs (up to 65% from 48% last year), increasing consumer choice.
The availability of 5G networks in Scotland continues to gradually expand, with around 50% of mobile handsets now 5G capable. All four MNOs now offer 5G coverage outside of premises to over half of Scottish properties, while 5G coverage outside of premises from at least one MNO is now at 91% (up from 88% in 2023) for our High Confidence measure.[1]
Full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband continues to expand
Our report finds that, as of July 2024, 62% (1.7 million) of Scottish homes now have access to full-fibre broadband, up from 53% (1.4 million) in September 2023.
By using fibre optic cables all the way to the home instead of copper lines, full-fibre broadband is faster and more reliable. Full fibre networks, as well as cable, can potentially deliver speeds of one gigabit per second (Gbit/s) or higher, which means a better experience when doing activities like streaming, gaming and making video calls.
Encouragingly, the number of Scottish households signed up to full fibre broadband services where available has risen from 28% to 35% between May 2023 and July 2024.
Taking full-fibre and cable networks together, over three-quarters (77%) of Scottish homes now have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection, up from 72% previously.
Scotland’s rural areas also saw a four percent increase in superfast broadband – services with download speeds of at least 30 Mbit/s coverage – the highest increase of any area in the UK.
Connectivity gaps remain but are being filled through other technologies
2,000 fewer premises in Scotland are unable to access decent[2] broadband in Scotland compared to last year. Our report found that only 0.5% (16,000) of premises in Scotland cannot access decent broadband from fixed-lines or Fixed wireless access (FWA).
A range of innovative technologies and solutions are being deployed to fill the remaining connectivity gaps in Scotland, with more people than ever before looking to space for their broadband connection.
In 2024, Starlink’s satellite broadband reached 11,000 connections – the majority in rural areas - almost doubling from 6,000 last year. We expect further development in the satellite broadband market as further operators start to launch satellites and services in the coming years.
It is heartening to see this report find that there are enhanced connectivity options across the country and supporting a broader range of Scotland’s population.
Nonetheless, the report also demonstrates that Scotland remains, by many metrics, the least connected of the UK’s four nations, with the situation often more challenging in rural and island areas. There are a range of emerging technologies which are already being deployed to tackle the remaining gaps, and which will be critical to delivering connectivity for all Scots in the years ahead.
- Glenn Preston, Ofcom’s Scotland Director
Notes to Editors
- Refers to high confidence which is associated with around 80% probability of 5G coverage availability for areas outside of premises where at least one mobile network operator provides coverage
- Decent’ broadband is currently defined by the UK Government as delivering at least 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload speeds.