The latest Connected Nations report for Wales shows that, over the past year:
- 165,000 homes in Wales (12%) now have access to full-fibre broadband connections; over
90,000 more premises than last year. These connections can deliver much higher download speeds, of up to 1 Gbit/s and are also much more reliable than older, copper-based broadband. - The number of homes with access to superfast (at least 30 Mbit/s) broadband in Wales now stands at 93%, With ultrafast speeds (at least 300 Mbit/s) available to 31% of homes in Wales - a three percentage point increase from last year (28%).
- The deployment of wireless home broadband from BT/EE on their mobile network further
reduces the number of premises that cannot get a decent broadband service. We now estimate that as few as 189,000 homes (18,000 in Wales) should be unable to access a decent fixed broadband service, subject to confirmation of individual premises coverage. From March, those homes unable to get a decent connection will be able to request one from BT. - 5G services have been launched by all four mobile network operators over the past year and are now operating in over 40 towns and cities across the UK.
- 4G coverage from all four operators now extends to 58% of Wales’ landmass. However, indoor 4G coverage by all four operators extends to 73%. The proposed Shared Rural Network programme being negotiated between the operators and Government, with support from Ofcom, will aim to extend coverage for all operators well beyond this.
- 90% of homes and businesses in Wales should be able to get good 4G indoor coverage from all operators. We estimate that 9,514 premises cannot access either a decent fixed broadband service or get good 4G coverage indoors (from any operator).
Connected Nations 2019: Wales (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Cysylltu'r Gwledydd 2019: Adroddiad Cymru (PDF, 1.4 MB)