UK broadband speed statistics 2023

With the digital age showing no signs of slowing down, the prominence of the internet in our everyday lives increases by the year. 

With the internet now firmly established as the go-to place for many people to consume media, stream entertainment, and manage their work life, broadband speeds in the UK have regularly evolved to cope with the increasing demand.

But how fast is broadband around the UK? We’ve collated the latest UK broadband speed statistics for 2023, covering average UK download speeds, regional differences, and how the speed of broadband has changed over time.

Quick overview of UK broadband speed statistics 2023

• As of 2023, the median average internet speed in the UK was 73.21Mbps. This is an increase of more than 12% from September 2022, equating to a rise of nearly 8Mbps in less than a year.

• Average upload speeds increased by 46% (4.9 Mbps) between March and September 2022, to 15.5 Mbps

• Data shows that 99.7% of UK homes had access to decent internet (10Mbps or above)

• Southampton has the fastest average download speeds of anywhere in the UK, with average speeds of 166.68Mbps.

• Less than 3% of UK households had average download speeds of less than 10 Mbps, as of September 2022

UK broadband speed statistics

Choosing a broadband package that is right for you will largely depend on your budget, what you intend to use your internet for, and the broadband speed you require to complete those activities. 

Uswitch classifies* broadband speeds into the following four main categories:

• Standard broadband: Uses ADSL technology to provide average download speeds of around 10-11Mbps.

• Superfast broadband: Uses fibre-optic cables to deliver a range of speeds, from 30-100Mbps.

• Ultrafast broadband: Delivers speeds between 100-1,000Mbps.

• Gigabit broadband: Providing internet speeds of 1,000Mbps (1Gbps) and above.

The UK Government criteria for a “decent” broadband service is generally described as having a download speed of at least 10 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 1Mbps. This is what you usually get with a standard broadband package, and enables you to carry out tasks like browsing the internet, online shopping, and sending emails. 

*This is based on what broadband providers refer to in their products.

Average UK broadband download speed statistics

As of 2023, the median average internet speed in the UK was 73.21Mbps. This is an increase of more than 12% from September 2022, equating to a rise of nearly 8Mbps in less than a year. 

UK broadband speed statistics reveal that, out of 100 UK households, 93 will now opt for a superfast package with advertised download speeds of 30Mbps or higher. As of September 2022, 8% chose ultrafast broadband packages (average advertised speeds of at least 300Mbps according to Ofcom).  

A breakdown of average UK broadband speeds over time (2017-2022)

The latest UK broadband statistics from Ofcom found that the median average download speed in the UK was 69.4Mbps, as of March 2023. This represents a rise of around 10.1Mbps (17%) since March 2022.

The median average upload speed in the UK over this period was 18.4Mbps – up 73% from March 2022.

UK average download speeds by time of day

UK average download speeds tend to slow during busy periods when broadband networks suffer the effects of—what’s known as—contention. In plain terms, this means competition for resources.

Across all connections in March 2023, the average UK daily minimum speed (63.3Mbps) was around 90% of the average maximum speed (66.7Mbps). This represents a 6.5Mbps rise in the average minimum speed, and a 5.7Mbps increase for the average maximum speed, in the UK compared to March 2022. 

In September 2022, less than 3% of UK households had average download speeds of less than 10 Mbps, with cable connections offering the highest average (median) download speeds of 215.8 Mbps.

A breakdown of median average UK broadband speeds by time of day 

UK broadband speed statistics reveal that, as of September 2022, the average 24-hour speed stood at 65.3Mbps for all connections, yet only 12.9Mbps for those between 10-30Mbps advertised speed. This was contrasted by average 24-hour speeds of almost 67.8Mbps for connection types with 30Mbps or higher. 

Ofcom research shows that across all connections, the average 8-10pm peak-time speed (63.4Mbps) was 95% of the average maximum speed, compared to 88% for fibre and cable lines with advertised speeds of 30Mbps or more, and 96% for lines between 10-30Mbps. In January 2023, the highest-available average download speeds were recorded between midnight and 6am.

All technologies (such as routers, satellite connections, and mobile hubs) delivered over 96% of their 12am to 5.59am average speeds between 9pm and 9.59pm, showing the consistency of performance in the UK broadband market in September 2022.

Fixed broadband speeds vs reported internet speeds

Interested in finding out the difference between fixed broadband package speeds and the reported internet speeds, Uswitch analysed Ofcom fixed broadband performance data from homes across the UK. 

We obtained data on the region, internet service provider (ISP), broadband connection statistics, and peak recorded download speeds from over 3,300 homes with fixed broadband. From this, we found the listed average download speeds for broadband connections in each home using each ISP website. 

The percentage difference between the listed ISP broadband download speeds versus the connection’s reported peak download speed was then calculated for each ISP, broadband package, and UK region.

A breakdown of fixed broadband speeds vs reported internet speed statistics across various UK internet service providers (ISPs)

Virgin had the highest average download speed of all internet service providers (ISPs) analysed, with a difference of 97.58%. The only other ISP with an average download speed of 90% or more is Zen, with 90.67%. Comparatively, TalkTalk’s average download speed is just 81.39%.

Fixed broadband package download speeds vs reported internet speeds across various ISP broadband packages (2022)

We found that three out of five broadband connections from Virgin Media had a higher average download speed than stated in their package. Virgin’s M500 cable connection lists its package speed as 516Mbps, but the average download speed reported via Ookla reaches 540.35Mbps. 

In terms of fastest speeds, Virgin Media’s 1.1Gb service had the fastest average download speed at 1,139 Mbps in September 2022, as well as joint-fastest average upload speed alongside BT’s 300Mb service, at 51 Mbps. 

Regarding BT, its broadband download speeds are also close to those listed in its package details. However, the BT 38 Superfast connection is reportedly 10 Mbps less than stated in the package (36Mbps vs 26.82Mbps).

On the other end of the spectrum, TalkTalk has the worst package speed vs reported internet speed, with their 38 FTTC and 76 FTTC packages both failing to reach the download speeds consumers pay for. 

A breakdown of UK average download speed of fixed broadband packages (2021)

According to UK average download speed statistics from our study, Virgin 100, 350, and 500 cable broadband packages each outperformed their advertised download speeds when it came to reported download speed figures. Virgin’s 500 cable broadband advertises speeds of 516Mbps, yet reported download speed stats in 2021 indicate customers were receiving nearer 540 Mbps on average. 

Our findings indicate that the vast majority of UK broadband providers were delivering somewhere between 80-90% of advertised broadband speeds to customers in 2021. BT’s 160 and 76 FTTP services both achieved scores in the high 90s for their reported download speeds as a percentage of their advertised speeds (145.83Mbps and 73.9Mbps, respectively).  

At the other end of the scale, BT’s 38 FTTC package was the joint-lowest package in our study for advertised download speeds at 36Mbps, yet achieved less than 75% of this when it came to reported download speed figures. This was followed closely by Talk Talk’s 76 FTTC service, reporting almost 78% of its advertised 80Mbps package. 

A breakdown of UK average download speed by region 

England’s capital, London, has the fastest average download speed of all regions in the UK, with an average download speed of 93.6%. Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and South West follow behind with average download speeds in the 90% range. 

Scotland, on the other hand, fares the worst of all, with an average download speed of 85.11%—a difference of 8% from London at the top of the table. 

Check out our latest broadband deals in London to help find a package that is right for you. 

Internet download speed statistics by UK local authority

Which local authority has the fastest and slowest download speeds in the UK? 

To find out, we utilised iOS and Android Speedtest data from Q2 2022 via Ookla. We then applied this to local authority boundaries, as per the Office of National Statistics, to highlight the average download, upload and latency performance speeds for each local authority. 

A breakdown of the UK local authorities with the fastest and slowest download speeds

Southampton has the fastest average download speed, clocking in at 166.677Mbps. This was closely followed by Stockton-on-Tees, with a download speed of 166.356Mbps. 

Third place goes to Newham with a download speed of 157.795Mbps, fourth to Coventry (157.652Mbps), and fifth to Peterborough (157.509Mbps).

On the other end of the scale, the local authority with the slowest download speed is the Isles of Scilly, with an average download speed of 24.536Mbps—142.141Mbps slower than first place Southampton.

A breakdown of the UK local authorities with the fastest and slowest upload speeds

Across the UK, the average upload speed in September 2022 was 15.5Mbps - an increase of 46% from March 2022. Over the same time, average upload speed for superfast connections increased by 31% (or 4.1 Mbps) to 17.3 Mbps. This was likely driven by more full fibre connections with ‘symmetrical’ download and upload speeds.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets takes the crown for the fastest average upload speed, measuring an impressive 107.851Mbps. Tower Hamlets is followed closely behind by Milton Keynes, with an average speed of 105.531 Mbps. 

Southampton, which has the fastest average download speed, also has the third-fastest upload speed, clocking in at an average of 102.859 Mbps. 

On the other end of the scale, as well as having the slowest download speed in the UK, the Isles of Scilly has the slowest upload speed too. The local authority racks up an average upload speed of just 6.555 Mbps, which is almost 16 times slower than Tower Hamlets in first place. 

Are you suffering from slow broadband speeds? Check out our guide to find out why your internet is so slow and how to fix the issue. 

A breakdown of the UK local authorities with the fastest and slowest latency speeds

Online gaming statistics reveal that the best broadband for online gaming will provide a response time of less than 100 milliseconds (ms) in order to provide a good experience, (although some online gaming apps require 50ms). 

Our research identified that the London Borough of Tower Hamlets has the best average latency speed, measuring just 9.554 ms. Second place goes to Newham, another London Borough, with an equally impressive latency speed of 9.846 ms.

Latency definition: Latency refers to the delay before a transfer of data begins. A connection with low latency often feels more responsive for simple tasks like internet browsing.

Residents in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland don’t have it quite so good, clocking an average latency speed of 58.874 ms. This is still reasonable and would allow residents to carry out simple tasks online, however, there is a considerable difference of 49.32 ms from Tower Hamlets in first place. 

Which UK street has the fastest and slowest broadband speed?

Every December, we analyse all broadband speed tests that were run throughout the year using our broadband speed test to identify the UK streets with the fastest and slowest internet speeds.

A breakdown of the UK streets with the slowest and fastest broadband (2021)

As of December 2021, the street with the slowest broadband speed was Wistaston Road in Crewe, where residents have an average broadband speed of just 0.25Mbps. At this speed, according to our download time calculator, it would take residents over two-and-a-half days to download a two-hour HD film and almost 24 hours to download a 45-minute HD TV show.

Check out our latest TV and broadband deals to help find a product that is right for you.

By contrast, residents living on Britain’s fastest street for broadband, Haul Fryn in Birchgrove, Swansea, experience an average speed of 882.03Mbps. This means Wistaston Road is a staggering 3,567 times slower than Haul Fryn, and residents would only have to wait about a minute to download the same film or a mere 24 seconds to download the same show.