Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Superfast broadband available to ree-in-four homes

24/10/2013

UK communications infrastructure is changing, Ofcom report shows

Britons' use of public Wi-Fi hotspots increases three-fold

Mobile coverage on UK roads revealed for first time

Superfast broadband is now available to almost three quarters of UK homes, and the number of people using the technology has more than doubled in the last year, Ofcom has revealed.

The trends reflect wider changes in the UK's communications infrastructure, which is evolving to meet consumers' growing demand for data, both at home and on the move.

Ofcom's annual Infrastructure Report update, published today, shows that in June this year 73% of UK premises could receive superfast broadband, up from 65% in 2012. Some 22% of broadband connections are superfast, up from 10% last year. Around 4.8m UK customers have taken up the technology, up from 2.1m last year.*

In total, 650m gigabytes of data were sent or received by UK internet users over fixed lines in the single month of June - an increase of 26% over the same month last year, and an amount of data equivalent to more than one billion copies of the Encyclop dia Britannica.

The growth in data usage is set to continue, as superfast networks are rolled out further, and consumers demand higher speeds to support high-quality internet TV services and multiple devices on their broadband connection.

Twice as many hotspots

As well as indoors, people are increasingly demanding faster connection speeds when out and about. 4G networks are helping to meet this demand. Several operators - EE, O2 and Vodafone - have now launched 4G services, while Three is expected to join them in the coming months.

Today's report shows that consumers are also making far greater use of public Wi-Fi hotspots' - which allow them to access fixed-line internet via their mobile devices in places such as restaurants, hotels, banks, supermarkets and coffee shops.

The number of public Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the UK doubled over the year to 34,000 (from 16,000). And the amount of data being sent or received by consumers in these hotspots almost trebled, to almost 2m gigabytes in a month - up from 0.75m gigabytes during the same month in 2012.

Mobile coverage on roads revealed

For the first time in the report, Ofcom has analysed coverage of mobile voice (2G) and

voice-plus-data (3G) services on UK roads. While coverage for voice calls on motorways is good, there are gaps in coverage on A' and B' roads, particularly for 3G data services.

Ofcom estimates that just 35% of the length of the UK's A and B roads are served by all four 3G networks, and 9% has no 3G coverage at all. This shortfall should in part be addressed by the roll-out of 4G services, but Ofcom will be carrying out further analysis in the coming year to examine whether regulatory or Government intervention may also be required to achieve wider mobile coverage on roads.1

Ofcom will also examine mobile coverage on major rail routes over the coming year. Once this data has been collected, Ofcom will offer technical advice to the Department for Transport and Network Rail on how mobile coverage on railways might be improved.2

Meeting the demand for data

The rapid growth in superfast broadband, the arrival of 4G mobile and the doubling of public Wi-Fi hotspots are all part of an emerging picture of soaring consumer demand for data-hungry services.3

As higher speeds become the norm, Ofcom believes the challenge is to focus on wider coverage for consumers, including those in hard-to-reach areas. Ofcom will also be conducting work aimed at ensuring wider coverage does not come at the expense of service quality.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: Superfast broadband is rolling out fast across the country, and 4G mobile will reach at least 98% of the population. This is really good news but there remain considerable challenges, not least in hard-to-reach areas for mobile and home internet services.

We know consumers increasingly expect superfast speeds, but it's also important to make sure people can connect over a very wide area. That is why we are doing everything we can to support moves to improve coverage in difficult areas such as roads and train lines.

To coincide with today's report, Ofcom has also today updated its communications coverage maps, which show the availability of fixed broadband, digital radio, digital TV and mobile services across the UK.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Ofcom is continuing to support the Government's Mobile Infrastructure Project, which is aimed at improving mobile coverage and quality in the UK. The Government has allocated £150m to secure mobile voice services for up to 60,000 premises that currently do not receive a mobile service from any operator, and to improve coverage on at least ten of the UK's busiest A roads.

2. Last month, the Government announced a plan to roll out high-speed mobile broadband on the busiest parts of the rail network, with passengers expected to begin noticing improvements to their journey during 2015.

3. Last year, Ofcom unveiled plans to enable the release of new airwaves for future generations of mobile devices, which will help meet consumers' growing demand and avoid a future capacity crunch'.

4. Under section 134A of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has a duty to prepare reports for the Secretary of State on certain networks and services available in the UK every three years.

* Ofcom and the European Union define SFBB services as those delivering download speeds of 30Mbit/s or more.
LINK: http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/10/24/superfast-broadband-available-to-...
See more stories from ofcom

Most recent headlines

04/08/2024

Dalet Appoints Santiago Solanas as CEO to Lead Next Era of Growth and Innovation

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....

03/06/2024

Dalet and Veritone Reach Agreement to Distribute, Transact and Monetize Media Archives

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...

06/05/2024

Canada Plans May 8 Public Alert System Test

OAKVILLE, Ontario As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, Alert Ready, Canadas national public alerting system, will be distributing a test alert to Canadians i...

06/05/2024

Survey: Pay TV Penetration Falls to 40% in U.S. Hispanic Homes

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. Horowitz Research has released a new study on the viewing and media habits of U.S. Hispanic/Latine audiences that shows a dramatic decline in...

06/05/2024

RE:Vision Effects Autograph 2024.4 released! 50% Off Through May 9th

RE:Vision Effects Autograph 2024.4 released! 50% Off Through May 9th Brie Clayton May 6, 2024 0 Comments New game-changing motion graphics & VFX featu...

06/05/2024

NBC Orders More Night Court'

NBC has renewed Night Court for a third season. The courtroom comedy was on the network from 1984 to 1992, and NBC rebooted it in early 2023....

06/05/2024

ABC Shares Summer Premiere Dates

ABC has revealed its summer schedule. The Bachelorette gets going Monday, July 8, with Jenn Tran the star in season 21. Celebrity Family Feud starts up Tuesday,...

06/05/2024

Holly Springs Salamanders Home Opener Less Than Three Weeks Away, Tickets on Sale Now

It's almost go-time for the Holly Springs Salamanders! The season opener is ...

06/05/2024

Actress Matseliso Mohale has joined Muvhango'

Actress Matseliso Mohale has joined Muvhango'Talented actress Matseliso Mohale has joined SABC2's soapie Muvhango' as Vhangani's lover and a c...

06/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Leroy refuses to give up fighting to bury Mthetho

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Leroy refuses to give up fighting to bury MthethoDon't miss Monday, 6 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...

06/05/2024

NVIDIA and Alphabet's Intrinsic Put Next-Gen Robotics Within Grasp

Intrinsic, a software and AI robotics company at Alphabet, has integrated NVIDIA AI and Isaac platform technologies to advance the complex field of autonomous r...

06/05/2024

A Mighty Meeting: Generative AI, Cybersecurity Connect at RSA

Cybersecurity experts at the RSA Conference this week will be on the hunt for ways to secure their operations in the era of generative AI. They'll find man...

06/05/2024

SES to acquire Intelsat: Investor Relations Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the rationale of the transaction? What is the benefit for SES shareholders? This combination creates a stronger and more competitive multi-orbit ope...

05/05/2024

Singer Becky G To Close Out TelevisaUnivision's Upfront

A special evening performance by multiplatinum singer Becky G will provide a memorable conclusion to TeievisaUnivision's Casa Cultura upfront event on May 1...

05/05/2024

Publicis Won't Use Nielsen's Big Data as Currency in This Upfront

Giant media buyer Publicis is telling network sales executives that it does not think Nielsen's new panel-plus-big-data currency is ready for this upfront....

05/05/2024

Glenn Kirschner, NBC News Legal Analyst, Rips Media Coverage of Trump Trial

WASHINGTON Glenn Kirschner, legal analyst at NBC News, blasted the media for referring to the New York trial of former President Donald Trump as a hush-money ...

05/05/2024

Catchy Comedy Marathons The Beverly Hillbillies' May 4-5

Catchy Comedy's weekend marathon sees The Beverly Hillbillies on the weekend of May 4-5. The event kicks off Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. ET, and runs through...

05/05/2024

How NBC Sports Plans to Cover Kentucky Derby

NBC Sports has the 150th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 4. The coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock and the feature race at Churchill Downs in Louis...

04/05/2024

Nielsen: Asian American Audiences Spend as Much Time on Mobile as TV

NEW YORK As the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kicks off in May, Nielsen has released an extensive new report diving into their media habits with data sh...

04/05/2024

Comcast Makes $1M Commitment to Military-Serving Nonprofits

PHILADELPHIA As National Military Appreciation Month gets underway, Comcast has announced several new initiatives to help veterans, service members, and their f...

04/05/2024

FCC Unveils Agenda for May Open Meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C. Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a tentative agenda for the May Open Commission Meeting scheduled...

04/05/2024

Enhancements Made to Key 5G Convergence Standards

The Broadband Forum has announced major enhancements to key 5G convergence standards that the group said will help advance next-generation applications, improve...

04/05/2024

Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio

Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio Brie Clayton May 3, 2024 0 Comments Blackmagic Design today announced that Colorist M...

04/05/2024

Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards

Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards An additional eight alums and two current students performed in nominated productions. ...

04/05/2024

New faces and new storylines': What to expect on Izingane ZeS'thembu' S2

New faces and new storylines': What to expect on Izingane ZeS'thembu...

03/05/2024

Sudan: New WhatsApp Course Equips Journalists to Report on Conflict Related Sexual Violence

An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...

03/05/2024

Slow Explores an Unusual Relationship With Sincere Romance

PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...

03/05/2024

Be Honest With Your Art': Danny Ocean Reflects on Sudden Stardom and His Deeply Personal New Album

If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...

03/05/2024

Spotify and ELLE Collaborate in Celebration of Emerging Women in Music

Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...

03/05/2024

La Msica Mexicana no es solamente un fenmeno en Mxico y Estados Unidos, tambin en toda Amrica Latina

Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...

03/05/2024

Msica Mexicana Isn't Just a Phenomenon in Mexico and the U.S.-It's Taking Over Latin America.

As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...

03/05/2024

Fubo Loses Subs in Q1 But Exceeds Guidance and Reduces Losses

NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...

03/05/2024

Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award

Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award Brie Clayton May 3, 2024 0 Comments Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...

03/05/2024

WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear

WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear Brie Clayton May 3, 2024 0 Comments By 2032, the esports market is expec...

03/05/2024

The Business of TV News: Shannon Bream Singles Out Key Issue in 2024 Election

WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...

03/05/2024

ABC News Anchor Martha Raddatz Says Local News Is Everything'

WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...

03/05/2024

Paramount Stock Jumps on Report of $26 Billion Bid From Sony Pictures and Apollo Global

Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...

03/05/2024

CBS Shares 2024-2025 Schedule

CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...

03/05/2024

Fubo Continues To Reduce Red Ink Despite Losing 110,000 Subs in Q1

Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....

03/05/2024

Walmart Ready to Release 4K Hybrid Streaming/Smart Speaker

Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...

03/05/2024

Limecraft updates content delivery platform

Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security By Matthew Corrigan Published: May 3, 2024 Enha...

03/05/2024

Sony and Apollo submit $26 billion bid for Paramount Global

According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company By Jenny Priestley Published: M...

03/05/2024

Global Academy launches Manchester media school

Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...

03/05/2024

New Lightbridge C-Move Core

Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...

03/05/2024

KPBS Modernizes Infrastructure With Major AES67 Control R...

Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...

03/05/2024

SmallHD Free PageOS 6 Update Adds Powerful New Capabiliti...

Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...

03/05/2024

SmallHD Launches Quantum 32 Quantum Dot OLED HDR Referenc...

SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...

03/05/2024

How WePlay Studios is Transforming the Future of Live Eve...

By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...

03/05/2024

Amagis Latest FAST Report Unveils the Rise of a Diverse G...

Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...