UK broadband traffic surges 10.5% in 2024

UK broadband traffic surges 10.

• UK broadband traffic rises 10.5% to 103,590 petabytes in 2024.
• December sees record traffic, driven by gaming, Premier League streams, and Black Friday.

What happened: UK broadband traffic rises 10.5% in 2024, driven by key events

According to Openreach’s annual update, broadband traffic in the UK increased by 10.5% in 2024, reaching a total of 103,590 petabytes (Pb) of data. Openreach, which operates the fibre network used by over 300 service providers including BT, Sky, and Vodafone, attributes this increase to several high-traffic events, such as Amazon Prime’s Premier League coverage, gaming updates, and Black Friday.

December proved to be the busiest month for broadband usage, with 1 December marking the peak day of the year, consuming 405 Pb of data. This surge is largely attributed to the Fortnite update and Black Friday shopping. The second busiest day occurred on 26 December, when 367 Pb of data was consumed, driven by new gaming consoles and Amazon Prime streaming. Sundays and the hours between 8-10pm are typically the busiest times for traffic, with the festive period seeing particularly high demand on 26 December between 8-9pm.

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Why it’s important

The 10.5% increase in broadband traffic highlights the growing reliance on fast, reliable internet connections in the UK, especially during high-demand periods. Openreach’s data underscores the importance of robust broadband infrastructure as more consumers turn to online services for entertainment, shopping, and gaming. The surges in traffic during specific events demonstrate how critical reliable connectivity has become for everyday activities.

As Openreach continues to expand its Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) network, now available to 17 million UK homes and businesses, the increase in traffic reflects a wider trend of increasing digital consumption. The fact that more than a third of properties have switched to faster broadband is encouraging, but Openreach stresses that there is still substantial room for growth. With FTTP coverage continuing to rise, there is potential for even higher traffic volumes in the future, making it essential for the UK to keep up with increasing demand.