Connected Nations update: Spring 2025

This report provides a snapshot of mobile coverage and fixed broadband availability across the UK as of January 2025. It is an interim update to our Connected Nations 2024 report (CN2024), which was based on fixed broadband data from July 2024 and mobile coverage data from September 2024.

As we set out in CN2024, while we consider the current approach to reporting mobile coverage to be generally effective for assessing average coverage across wide areas, it does have limitations. Specifically, it introduces considerable uncertainty when attempting to assess coverage in a particular location, especially in areas where signal strength is low.

We are in the process of improving our coverage reporting, starting with our mobile web checker, which will be updated in the next couple of months. For further details on the scope of changes being considered to the mobile web checker, please refer to pages 30 to 31 of CN2024. We will consider how we will introduce these changes to reporting for Connected Nations. However, for this update the reported coverage figures are based on the same methodology as used for CN2024.

For fixed broadband, as in previous updates, we report on the availability of broadband services from fixed line and fixed wireless access (FWA) networks. In addition, we report on the take-up of these services, both on full fibre and, for the first time, on FWA networks.  

Alongside this publication, our latest forward-looking report on planned deployments of very high-capacity networks can be found here.

Summary of key findings

• The number of homes able to get gigabit-capable broadband has increased to 25.9 million (86% of the UK’s 30.2 million homes), up from 25.0 million (83%) in July 2024. Gigabit-capable coverage for all properties, i.e. combining both residential and business, stands at 84% [1].
• Nearly three-quarters of UK homes (22.5 million or 74%) can access a full-fibre broadband service. This corresponds to an increase of five percentage points (1.8 million homes) in the six months up to January 2025.
• In the same six-month period, the number of full-fibre broadband connections has increased by 1.5 million to 9.0 million.
• The number of premises without access to decent broadband (at least 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload speed) from a fixed line or FWA network has dropped from 58,000 to 48,000 premises. We estimate around 41,000 of these premises not to be covered by rollout of publicly funded schemes within the next twelve months.
• Mobile 4G coverage has remained stable since September 2024, with around 96% of the UK landmass predicted to have good outdoor 4G coverage from at least one mobile network operator. Mobile network operators maintain coverage of at least 99% outside of UK premises.
• 5G coverage has also remained stable over the previous four months with around 62% of the UK landmass predicted to have 5G coverage from at least one mobile network operator. Mobile network operator coverage outside premises ranges between 62% and 85% (figures reported at the High Confidence level [2]).

As with previous updates, we have published:

• an interactive report that includes both the latest and historical data; and
• summary tables for fixed coverage and take-up, mobile coverage (4G, 5G, voice and text), and universal service obligation (USO).

We have also used the data collected for this report to update our broadband and mobile coverage checkers.

Footnotes

1. In line with previous Connected Nations publications, our reporting of gigabit-capable and full-fibre coverage focuses on residential properties. The UK Government’s target is for gigabit-capable broadband to be available to a minimum of 85% of UK premises by 2025 (Gigabit broadband in the UK: Government targets, policy, and funding - House of Commons Library). Based on our analysis for this interim update, the UK Government target is on track to be met. 
2. For 5G mobile coverage we provide figures at a High Confidence and Very High Confidence level, reflecting the likelihood of on the ground coverage for consumers. Please refer to page 13 of the CN2024 Methodology annex for a definition of these levels.

Download the data

We have made some of the data that underpins the Connected Nations report available for download. 

Please see our terms of use for our licence conditions. If you have any questions or feedback on the data we have made available, email us at cndatateam@ofcom.org.uk

Interactive report

For the best experience, expand to full screen (click on the button in the bottom right corner).

To request this information in an alternative format, call 020 7981 3040, use textphone 020 7981 3043 or write to the Digital team.