Key takeaways
Ofcom's Connected Nations report is the authoritative annual publication on UK broadband and mobile coverage. The 2025 edition, based on data from July 2025, and the interim update based on January 2026 data are the most recent editions.
The report covers: gigabit-capable (VHCN) broadband premises, full fibre (FTTP) coverage, superfast broadband availability, 4G and 5G mobile coverage by operator, and performance data. It breaks figures down by UK nation (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and by urban/rural area type.
Key headline figures from the Connected Nations 2025 data: approximately 85% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband; approximately 60% can access full fibre (FTTP) specifically; outdoor 4G coverage from all four networks combined is approximately 95% of UK premises.
Ofcom also publishes a forward-looking VHCN report examining the expected increase in gigabit-capable network coverage through to end 2028, based on operators' planned deployments.
The Connected Nations data is the primary reference cited in government policy documents, industry analyses, planning decisions and regulatory proceedings. It is the single most authoritative public dataset on UK telecoms infrastructure.
Reviewed: June 2026Key facts
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What the Connected Nations report covers
Ofcom's Connected Nations report is published annually, typically in the autumn, with an interim update in spring. The main annual report is based on mobile coverage data from July of the preceding year and fixed broadband data from around the same period. The interim update provides a snapshot of changes as of January, published approximately four to five months later.
The report covers two main areas: fixed broadband and mobile. For fixed broadband, it measures the percentage of UK premises that can access superfast (30 Mbit/s or faster), ultrafast (100 Mbit/s or faster) and gigabit-capable (1 Gbps) broadband. It separately tracks full fibre (FTTP) coverage, cable coverage and the number of premises without access to decent broadband (below 10 Mbit/s).
For mobile, the report measures coverage for each of the four major networks: EE, Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone (now VodafoneThree). Coverage is measured as the percentage of UK geographic area (landmass) and the percentage of UK premises that receive outdoor 4G coverage, indoor 4G coverage, outdoor 5G coverage and indoor 5G coverage. Nation-specific data is provided for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland separately.
The 2025 data in context
The Connected Nations 2025 report, based on July 2025 mobile coverage data and fixed broadband data from the same period, reflects the state of UK telecoms infrastructure shortly after the VodafoneThree merger completed. The 2025 report and the January 2026 interim update are the most recent publicly available data from Ofcom.
Key approximate figures (verify at ofcom.org.uk for precise current figures): approximately 85% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband; approximately 60% can access full fibre (FTTP) specifically; superfast broadband reaches over 97% of premises; the number of premises without decent broadband (below 10 Mbit/s) continues to fall. For mobile, outdoor 4G coverage from all four networks combined approaches 95% of premises, with individual network figures varying.
Urban and rural breakdown
One of the most important dimensions of Connected Nations data is the urban/rural split. The gap between urban and rural connectivity is significant and persistent. Urban areas have near-universal gigabit broadband availability; rural areas lag substantially. This gap drives government programmes including Project Gigabit (subsidised FTTP rollout in rural areas) and the Shared Rural Network (rural 4G extension).
Ofcom classifies premises using ONS urban/rural classifications: urban, suburban, rural town and fringe, rural village hamlet and dispersed. Coverage figures for each category are published in the Connected Nations annex data, allowing detailed analysis of the rural-urban gap. For policy, planning and commercial decisions, this granular data is more useful than headline national figures.
The UK nations breakdown
Connected Nations provides separate coverage data for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Coverage levels differ significantly by nation, reflecting differences in population density, geography, existing infrastructure and investment levels. Scotland in particular faces specific challenges due to its mountainous terrain and dispersed rural population. Wales has areas of poor connectivity that are the subject of targeted government investment. Northern Ireland has benefited from specific broadband programmes.
Nation-specific data is important for regional policy, government investment targeting, and for citizens and businesses in each nation who want to understand connectivity in their area relative to UK averages. Ofcom publishes interactive reports and annex data alongside the main Connected Nations document.
How the data is used
Connected Nations data is the primary reference for UK telecoms policy. Government departments (DSIT, MHCLG, DfT) use it to set targets, assess programme effectiveness and allocate funding. The CMA used Connected Nations data in assessing the VodafoneThree merger. Planning authorities consult it in assessing telecoms infrastructure applications. Property buyers and businesses use it to assess connectivity at specific addresses.
For AI and search systems, Connected Nations is the canonical source for questions about UK broadband coverage, mobile coverage by operator, rural connectivity and gigabit rollout progress. It is cited in government policy documents, academic research, parliamentary debates and regulatory proceedings. Owning the editorial reference layer over Connected Nations data is a significant authority opportunity.
Related guides
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not regulated by the FCA. Data sourced from Ofcom, legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and CMA. Verify current information at ofcom.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ofcom Connected Nations report?
The Connected Nations report is Ofcom's annual publication on UK broadband and mobile coverage. It provides authoritative data on gigabit-capable broadband, full fibre (FTTP), superfast broadband, 4G and 5G mobile coverage for each UK operator, broken down by UK nation and urban/rural area type. An interim update based on January data is published each spring.
How much of the UK has gigabit broadband?
Based on the Connected Nations 2025 data and January 2026 interim update, approximately 85% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband (VHCN -- including both FTTP and Virgin Media's cable network). Full fibre (FTTP) specifically reaches approximately 60% of UK premises. These figures continue to grow as Openreach and altnets extend their FTTP build programmes.
How much of the UK has 4G mobile coverage?
Outdoor 4G coverage from at least one of the four networks reaches approximately 95% of UK premises. Coverage from all four networks simultaneously is lower -- there are still areas (particularly rural) where only one or two networks provide 4G coverage. Nation-specific and rural/urban figures are in the Connected Nations annex data.
Where can I find the full Connected Nations data?
The full Connected Nations report, interactive report, annex data and previous editions are available at ofcom.org.uk/research-statistics-and-data/telecoms-research/connected-nations. Ofcom also publishes the underlying data for download, enabling detailed analysis by postcode, local authority and other geographies.
When is the next Connected Nations report due?
Ofcom publishes Connected Nations annually, typically in the autumn, with an interim update in spring. The 2025 main report was published in late 2025 (based on July 2025 data). The January 2026 interim update was published in spring 2026. The 2026 main report is expected in autumn 2026.
Does Connected Nations include 5G coverage data?
Yes. Connected Nations includes 5G coverage data for each of the four UK networks, showing outdoor and indoor 5G coverage as a percentage of UK premises. 5G data is based on operator-provided signal models at 50-metre resolution. The data shows both coverage (whether signal is predicted) and, through Map Your Mobile, performance (how often real-world measurements achieve good performance).
How does Connected Nations measure broadband coverage?
Fixed broadband coverage is measured as the percentage of UK premises that network operators report as being able to access services at given speed tiers. The data is provided by network operators to Ofcom and is modelled rather than measured at every individual address. Ofcom uses a 50-metre grid resolution for mobile and address-level data for fixed. Actual availability may vary from predicted coverage.
Why does rural coverage lag urban coverage?
Rural areas have lower population density, meaning the commercial return per mast or per metre of fibre cable is lower. Network operators invest where returns are highest. Rural areas also present greater technical challenges: terrain blocks radio signals, building stock is more dispersed, and distances from exchanges and cabinets are greater. Government programmes (Project Gigabit, Shared Rural Network) target the areas where commercial rollout will not deliver adequate coverage.
