Millions of people across the UK rely on broadband every day to get work done, watch TV, communicate with loved ones and play exciting online games. That is, if their internet connection can keep up.
That’s more likely than ever to be possible as it has been revealed that the UK has reportedly just hit a major milestone, reaching nationwide coverage of 85 percent gigabit broadband coverage. That means the majority of the British Isles is now said to be serviced by internet that can reach at least 1 gigabit per second (1Gbps) speeds.
This ticks off a government target set back in 2018 to bring better connectivity to the UK.
New data from thinkbroadband.com shows that the 85 percent milestone has been reached, and also lays out the areas of the UK that have themselves reached the 85 percent target.
Some of these regions include:
- North East – 86.04% of premises
- East Midlands – 86.29%
- North West England – 88.67%
- London – 91.31%
- West Midlands – 88.9%
- Yorkshire & the Humber – 89.49%
- Lancashire – 86.49%
- Glasgow – 93.47%
- Edinburgh – 95.24%
- Cardiff – 92.92%
- Belfast – 98.09%
The research said 425 of the UK’s 650 constituencies now have gigabit coverage of 85 percent or higher.
If you don’t currently have gigabit internet, you can use Openreach’s online tool to see if there are plans available in your area. But of course, if you want gigabit and don’t already have it, it means you’ll have to switch broadband providers.
Many providers offer their broadband services using Openreach’s network, which is owned by BT. But there are other networks available, so be sure to check all the providers in your area to ensure you are getting the best speed, as well as the best price. Many providers advertised ‘fast’ broadband packages, but you should check what speeds they actually reach. Many will not be 1Gbps.
“It is a great achievement that much of the UK now has this level of Gigabit coverage, and this a massive step change compared to the older part-fibre cabinet solutions,” said Andrew Ferguson, Editor of thinkbroadband.com.
“Gigabit speeds mean households no longer need to worry about what others in the home are doing when taking part in a video call, or if someone starts to update their games console while the parents are watching a film.”
The gigabit coverage was only when considering wired fibre internet as opposed to 4G or 5G home broadband, which instead uses mobile data signals to beam Wi-Fi into homes and businesses.
“Switching from older part fibre services to full fibre should also see services become more reliable as issues such as rain getting into old copper wiring will become a thing of the past,” said Ferguson.
“It’s also worth noting that switching providers is now much easier due to the One Touch Switch (OTS) system, which means people save money by not having to pay the old 30-day notice period and will have their old broadband service available right up until the new service is installed and running.”
