Average Broadband Speed in the UK (2026)

The average UK broadband download speed in 2026 is 157 Mbps according to Ofcom, up from 69 Mbps in 2022. Average upload speed is 27 Mbps and median latency sits at 14 ms. Full fibre (FTTP) users average 218 Mbps while FTTC averages 47 Mbps and cable around 212 Mbps.

UK Average Download and Upload Speeds

Ofcom's 2025/26 UK Home Broadband Performance report puts the national average download speed at 157 Mbps, a dramatic increase driven by rising FTTP adoption which now covers 82% of premises. Average upload speed stands at 27 Mbps, heavily influenced by asymmetric connections where FTTC caps upload at 10-20 Mbps. Median latency across all connection types is 14 ms. However, these averages mask huge variation. Around 2.4 million premises still rely on ADSL with speeds under 10 Mbps, while some Hyperoptic and Community Fibre customers enjoy 900+ Mbps. The median speed (what the typical household actually gets) sits lower at around 80 Mbps because millions of customers remain on older FTTC connections. BT, the largest provider with roughly 25% market share, delivers an average of 130 Mbps across its customer base - a mix of FTTC and FTTP users.

Average Speed by Technology Type

Connection type is the biggest determinant of speed. FTTP (full fibre) customers average 218 Mbps download and 42 Mbps upload with latency of 5-12 ms. FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) averages 47 Mbps download and 9 Mbps upload with 10-20 ms latency. Virgin Media's cable network delivers around 212 Mbps average download but only 20 Mbps upload due to DOCSIS technology limitations, with latency of 12-20 ms. ADSL connections average just 8 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload with 25-40 ms latency. 5G home broadband from EE and Vodafone delivers 150-300 Mbps download in strong signal areas but with variable latency of 20-40 ms. The technology gap explains why Ofcom strongly encourages upgrading to FTTP where available, particularly ahead of the PSTN copper network switch-off in January 2027.

How UK Compares to Other Countries

The UK ranks around 25th globally for average broadband speed, behind countries like South Korea (280 Mbps), Singapore (260 Mbps) and several Scandinavian nations. However, the UK's position has improved significantly from 47th in 2020, driven by the rapid Openreach FTTP rollout. Full fibre coverage leapt from 27% in 2021 to 82% in 2026 - one of the fastest rollouts in Europe. The UK's gigabit coverage of approximately 90% now exceeds France (75%) and Germany (68%). BT and Sky deliver speeds broadly comparable to equivalent providers in France and Germany. Where the UK lags is in average upload speed (27 Mbps versus 50+ Mbps in South Korea) because many customers remain on asymmetric FTTC connections. As FTTP take-up increases and FTTC is retired, the UK average is projected to exceed 200 Mbps by 2028.

Is Your Speed Above or Below Average?

Run a speed test using Ookla Speedtest or Fast.com on a wired Ethernet connection for the most accurate result. If your download speed is above 157 Mbps, you are faster than the national average. If you are on FTTC and getting 40-60 Mbps, you are typical for that technology but well below the overall average. Check whether FTTP is available at your postcode - providers like BT, Vodafone, Sky and Plusnet all offer FTTP plans starting from around �25/month that would immediately boost your speed above the national average. If your speed is below 10 Mbps, you may be eligible for the Universal Service Obligation (USO) which guarantees a minimum 10 Mbps connection. Contact BT or KCOM (in Hull) to request a USO upgrade. Remember that Wi-Fi speed is always lower than wired - test both to understand whether your broadband line or your home Wi-Fi is the bottleneck.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average broadband speed in the UK?

The average UK broadband download speed is 157 Mbps as of 2026 according to Ofcom. Average upload speed is 27 Mbps and median latency is 14 ms. However, speeds vary hugely by connection type - FTTP averages 218 Mbps while FTTC averages just 47 Mbps.

Is 100 Mbps a good broadband speed?

Yes, 100 Mbps is a good speed for most households. It comfortably supports 4K streaming, video calls and gaming simultaneously for a family of three to four people. It is below the 157 Mbps national average but above the median, which sits around 80 Mbps.

Why is my speed below average?

You are most likely on an FTTC or ADSL connection, which cannot match FTTP speeds. Distance from your street cabinet, Wi-Fi interference and network congestion also reduce speeds. Check if FTTP is available at your address for a significant speed upgrade.

Related Guides

Gigabit Broadband Explained � What Is FTTP Broadband? � Broadband Speed at Peak Times � Bandwidth vs Speed Explained

Methodology & Sources

Information in this guide is sourced from Ofcom market reports, Openreach coverage data, ISPreview.co.uk, provider websites and independent broadband research from Point Topic and Thinkbroadband. Prices and availability are checked monthly. Speed data reflects advertised average speeds from provider Key Facts documents.