- Gigabit Coverage Milestone: The UK has achieved 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage, with FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) coverage reaching 72.9% of premises.
- Overbuild Intensifies: Fibre network overbuild has intensified, with nearly 9.1 million premises now having access to two or more FTTP networks.
What happened: UK achieves 85% gigabit broadband coverage
The UK has made significant progress in expanding its gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure. According to Point Topic, the UK government’s Project Gigabit target of achieving 85% gigabit coverage by 2025 has been met.
FTTP coverage increased from 60.9% at the end of 2023 to 72.9% by the end of 2024, with a 23.2% year-on-year increase in the number of homes and businesses passed by FTTP networks. Openreach, Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), KCOM, CityFibre, and numerous altnets collectively covered nearly 24 million locations.
However, Scotland and Wales still lag behind, with 21.7% and 23.3% of premises lacking gigabit access, respectively. The overbuild phenomenon, where multiple fibre networks serve the same premises, has also intensified, with 27.5% of premises having access to two or more FTTP networks by the end of 2024.
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Why it’s important
The achievement of 85% gigabit coverage is a significant milestone for the UK’s digital infrastructure. It reflects the rapid expansion of FTTP networks and the government’s commitment to improving broadband services. However, the overbuild situation, where multiple operators compete for the same customers, may lead to further market consolidation.
This competition can drive innovation and efficiency but also puts pressure on smaller players, potentially leading to mergers and acquisitions. The continued growth of gigabit-capable broadband is essential for supporting the UK’s digital economy and ensuring that businesses and consumers have access to high-speed internet services.
