UK average broadband speeds rise by a fifth to hit superfast level
Average broadband speeds in UK households have jumped 20 per cent over the last year, according to new figures from Ofcom.
The regulator said average speeds have passed the 50Mbps mark – one of the most commonly-available levels of superfast broadband – for the first time, after an 18 per cent surge to 54.2Mbps.
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The increased speeds mean more customers are able to stream video on platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer in ultra-high definition.
Ofcom’s research showed Virgin Media’s Vivid 350 cable packaged topped the charts, with average peak time speeds hitting 360.2Mbps, while BT’s 300Mbps full-fibre package came in second.
Despite the improvement, uSwitch head of regulation Richard Neudegg warned there is still more to be done.
“There is a marked difference in performance between urban and rural areas, where users continue to lag on slower speeds, particularly at crucial peak times in the day,” he said.
“If speeds are only improving in major cities, which already benefit from better connectivity, it will merely worsen the country’s growing digital divide.”
The figure is also a step down from last year, when average broadband speeds increased 28 per cent to 46.2Mbps.
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“Broadband comes in lots of flavours these days: copper, superfast, cable and full fibre. Which kind you choose can really affect your online experience,” said Ofcom strategy and research group director Yin-Choung Teh.
“So we’re encouraging people to visit our dedicated Boost Your Broadband website, to find out how they could get faster broadband, for the same or less than they pay now.”