The UK is suffering from a stubborn broadband digital divide, despite the expansion of full-fibre access, research has shown.
Entry-level tariffs in regions with less competition have caused significant “digital deprivation” with consumers facing higher prices for basic levels of connectivity, according to Point Topic’s UK broadband affordability tracker.
Analysis of postcodes across Scotland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that the lowest broadband subscription prices in November 2024 ranged from £12.50 to £37.50 per month.
The most affordable option was Community Fibre’s Essential package, delivering 35Mpbs symmetrical speeds for a 12-month contract, available in 50,589 postcodes with the majority in London.
Connexin’s FTTP package was the cheapest broadband available in two postcodes at £37.50, offering 250Mpbs symmetrical speeds on a 24-month contract.
However, compared to last year, it was found that cheaper broadband tariffs are more widely available across the UK, with the cheapest broadband subscription sitting in the £20 to £24.99 range 66.3 per cent of “small areas” in comparison to 31.6 per cent from 12 months ago.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: “As a society, we view areas such as healthcare and education as ‘essential’, yet with these services being increasingly digitised, there remains a lack of affordable connectivity options, especially for those in rural areas. Having access to broadband is all well and good, but there must be a base level of affordability, reliability and connectivity as part of that to ensure that all UK citizens are able to get online.”
“The cost-of-living crisis isn’t getting any easier for people, and while for many it’s a case of cutting back on spending, it’s forcing millions to choose between broadband and food. A new entitlement, funded by VAT cuts on broadband and mobile bills, can deliver support to millions of households across the country by ensuring that all telecoms providers offer affordable, quality, social tariffs, helping to bridge the digital divide.”
Data from Broadband Genie recently revealed that Salcombe in Devon recorded the word connectivity in the UK, followed by the SA2 postcode in Swansea, Seaton in Devon, Holmrook in the Lake District, and Banf in Scotland.
Unsurprisingly, London and urban areas reported the fastest connectivity, while six per cent of countryside homes struggle to get a connection over 10Mpbs.
Full fibre connectivity is available for 71 per cent of homes in the UK, jumping to 72 per cent in London and falling to just 46 per cent in rural areas.
27% of premises (about 717,000) in Scotland are served by a full-fibre connection, while only 51% of homes (around 1.3 million) in Scotland have access to gigabit-capable broadband.
Only 56% of commercial premises in rural areas of Scotland are covered by superfast broadband, compared to 89% in urban areas. 17% of rural premises in Scotland cannot receive decent broadband from a fixed line, compared to only 1% in urban areas.
The 2019 Scottish Household Survey showed that 96% of households in the 20% least deprived areas had internet access, compared to only 82% in the 20% most deprived areas.
