In a 2023 third quarter (Q3) update, Point Topic has unveiled how FTTP connection rankings have changed over the last quarter across UK authorities

Notably, 103 local authorities now have three overlapping full fibre networks, an increase of 96 from the previous quarter.

This amounts to 17.4 million UK premises, or 54.5% of the country with access to full fibre broadband internet service provider (ISP) networks, which is up from 16.3 million last quarter

The largest additions in premises converted by FTTP networks were in Manchester (+27,000), Glasgow (+24,000) and Shropshire (+23,000).

In addition, 24 local authorities had an increase of 10% or higher in the percentage of premises covered by FTTP networks, up from 15 in Q2. 

The top ranking local authorities were mostly urban areas, while lower tanking areas are typically rural regions. Scotland is disproportionately represented in the bottom 10 FTTP connection percentages. 

West Dunbartonshire (8.9%), Argyll and Bute (6.6%), Na h-Eileanan siar (6%), Orkney Islands (4.8%), and Shetland Islands (4.5%) were all represented in the bottom ten authorities.

However, it is important to note that these rankings only look at full fibre FTTP networks, and not older – but still gigabit-capable – broadband networks. 

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Northern Ireland dominated the top ten local authorities, making up eight out of the ten, primarily due to Openreach’s substantial FTTP presence. The only non-Ireland authorities were Hull and Coventry, with 99.4% and 91.6% FTTP coverage respectively.

Despite the disparity between the FTTP connection in rural versus urban areas, the shift between Q2 and Q3 shows promise going forward, as the UK government realises its goal of making gigabit broadband available to 85% of the UK by 2025 and nationwide by 2030.