A fast internet connection is essential in improving productivity for professional or personal purposes. However, poor internet remains a burden for many Brits. A Which? survey found that almost half of UK consumers (49%) struggle with poor broadband, ranging from slow connection speeds to constant outages lasting more than an hour. According to the same survey, slow speeds affected 15% of customers, and issues were more common among Sky and Virgin Media users, where 18% reported poor connections.
Internet speeds are even worse in rural areas like Salisbury Plain. In fact, poor internet reception even prompted a farmer to build his own telephone mast with a 4G adaptor to boost his connection at home. Luckily, the expansion of full fibre broadband networks means that there are more opportunities available to address the UK’s digital gaps. Here’s what you need to know:
Poor broadband speeds
In some remote areas of the UK, average broadband speeds can fall below 10Mbps. Okney, for instance, posted an average speed of 3Mbps, with regions like Argyll and Bute averaging 7Mbps, according to Which?’s annual broadband research. Sluggish internet speeds in pockets of London aren’t new as well, with residents of Rotherline and Southwark experiencing broadband speeds of 0.26Mbps. But what’s causing this poor internet connection? These poor speeds are likely caused by the use of copper lines by some UK broadband providers, which transmit data through electrical signals that travel much slower than the light pulses in fibre optics.
Here’s how full fibre broadband can benefit the population:
Addressing the UK’s digital gaps
Optimising the business sector
Did you know that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in London are losing an estimated £28 billion in annual revenues because of slow and unreliable broadband? In fact, a quarter of SMEs in the capital have admitted that slow internet caused them to lose business. With full fibre business broadband, enterprises can benefit from stable and speedy internet and a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6 router that provides a seamless connection in every office corner. Small businesses can also enjoy affordable options, with packages ranging from less than £40 to less than £60 and speeds varying from 300Mbps, 600Mbps, to 1,200Mbps. This fast and reliable broadband ensures no internet interruptions can disrupt business operations.
Helping working professionals
Research shows that 28.09% of Brits cannot work without an internet connection, prompting the need for reliable broadband. Thanks to full fibre optic cables, working professionals can enjoy a much faster internet connection, especially employees who engage in remote work – which comprise 41% of UK workers. Since full fibre broadband provides faster data transmission, professionals who need access to online tools like Canva and Lumion can enjoy faster internet speeds for a more efficient workflow. Full fibre optic cables are also more reliable for workers since they provide a broadband connection directly from the supplier, unlike some broadbands that are connected to a street cabinet that may be susceptible to electrical interference.
Supporting cyber security solutions
According to the UK Government’s cyber security breaches survey 2024, 50% of businesses and 32% of charities have experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the past 12 months. This prompts the need for tighter security measures to protect important data, which full fibre broadband can help facilitate. Studies show that a fibre optic internet structure can be less vulnerable to cyber attacks since it uses light pulses or photons to transmit data through cables, which are more difficult to intercept than the electrical signals used by traditional broadband. High-speed broadband can also allow you to regularly update software and back up data to prevent ransomware attacks.
Many sectors in the UK suffer from poor internet connections, which can negatively affect their revenues, productivity, and cyber safety. Thanks to fibre broadband, however, Brits can now enjoy reliable and secure internet speeds that can address digital gaps in the UK.
