Connected Nations update: Spring 2026

This report provides a snapshot of mobile coverage and fixed broadband availability across the UK as of January 2026. It is an interim update to our Connected Nations 2025 report (CN2025), which was based on data from July 2025. 

For fixed broadband, as in previous updates, we report on the availability of broadband services from fixed line and fixed wireless access networks. In addition, we report on the take-up of full-fibre services.  

We also provide an update on the number of premises unable to access decent broadband, a connection which provides at least 10 Mbit/s download speed and 1 Mbit/s upload speed.[1] Since we published CN2025, Starlink has introduced cheaper plans in selected parts of the UK, meaning that a significant number of premises unable to access a decent broadband service from a fixed line or fixed wireless access network can now access affordable decent broadband through Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit satellite broadband services.

We report on mobile coverage using signal strength predictions provided by the four mobile network operators (MNOs), applying the same methodology as in previous Connected Nations reports.[2] These predictions help us understand the extent to which mobile services are available across the UK, both nationally and regionally. We also report on 5G standalone coverage, which we reported on for the first time in CN2025, as rollout continues in the UK.

Alongside this update, we have also published our latest forward-looking report on planned deployments of very high-capacity networks.

Key findings

• Full fibre is available to 24.9 million UK residential premises (82% of the UK’s 30.5 million homes). This corresponds to an additional 1.2 million homes with access to full fibre in the six months up to January 2026.[3]
  
  
• In the same six-month period, the take-up of full-fibre broadband connections at all UK premises, i.e. both residential and commercial, increased by 1.8 million, reaching 12.4 million. This corresponds to 47% of all premises with access to full fibre.
  
  
• Gigabit-capable broadband availability has increased to 89% (27.1 million homes), up from 87% (26.4 million) in July 2025. 
  
  
• The number of premises without access to affordable decent broadband has fallen to only 4,000, mainly due to the availability of lower priced satellite services.[4] The number of premises unable to access decent broadband from a fixed line or fixed wireless access network has dropped to 39,000, down from 44,000 in July 2025. 
  
  
• Mobile 4G coverage remains stable, with a three percentage point increase in the UK landmass predicted to have good 4G geographic coverage from all MNOs, reaching 84%, compared to July 2025. Notable increases were observed for the Vodafone and Three networks, particularly in rural areas. Predicted 4G geographic coverage across the UK landmass from at least one MNO remains at 96%. All MNOs maintain coverage of at least 99% outside of UK premises. 
  
  
• 5G Standalone (5G SA) coverage continues to expand across the UK. Coverage outside premises now ranges between 49% and 85% across the three MNOs that have deployed 5G SA. [5] This compares with a range of between 47% and 65% in July 2025. This newer form of 5G is being rolled out alongside existing 5G non-standalone (5G NSA) services.
  
  
• Overall 5G coverage, which includes both 5G SA and 5G NSA, also continues to expand. In the six months up to January 2026, 5G coverage outside premises has increased by at least five percentage points for each MNO, with individual MNO coverage now ranging between 76% and 94%. Coverage outside premises from all MNOs has increased from 47% to 64%.

As with previous updates, we have published:

• an interactive report that includes both the latest and historical data; and
• summary tables for mobile coverage (4G, 5G and 5G SA, voice and text), fixed broadband availability and full-fibre take-up.

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

Footnotes

1. The broadband universal service obligation (USO) provides the right to request a broadband connection with a download speed of at least 10 Mbit/s and an upload speed of 1 Mbit/s (as well as several other specific technical characteristics) to a home or business, subject to eligibility and affordability requirements: see here.

2. Vodafone and Three submitted separate datasets for coverage predictions, and we will continue to report on their networks separately until they are fully integrated.

3. In line with previous Connected Nations publications, our reporting of gigabit-capable and full-fibre coverage focuses on residential properties. Full-fibre take-up and premises without access to decent broadband are reported for all premises, i.e. residential and commercial combined. Coverage data for all premises is provided in our interactive report and downloadable data files.

4. The Starlink lower-priced broadband packages, available in selected parts of the UK, are marketed as residential products. There are approximately 7,000 additional premises classified as commercial in our data that could be eligible for the USO if they cannot access decent broadband for less than £59.60/month. However, some of these commercial premises may already have connectivity, for example via leased lines. We have not included these premises in our estimate as eligible for USO. 

5. 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 12 of the CN2025 Methodology annex for a definition of these levels. All 5G and 5G SA coverage figures reported in the key findings are at the High Confidence level.

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).

If you have any questions or feedback on the data we have made available, please contact us at cndatateam@ofcom.org.uk.