UK full fibre and gigabit coverage, 2022 to 2025
Full fibre has gone from a minority technology to the norm in three years. In July 2022 it reached 42% of UK premises; by July 2025 it was 78%, and Ofcom’s Spring 2026 update puts it at 82% of homes. Gigabit-capable coverage, which also counts Virgin Media’s cable network, reached 87%. The average maximum download speed available to UK homes rose from 223 Mbps in 2024 to 285 Mbps in 2025.
What it means for you
- If your address could not get full fibre a year or two ago, check again. The odds have changed.
- Take-up lags coverage: Ofcom reported 42% of premises with full fibre available had taken it by 2025. Most homes on an old copper line now have a faster option they have not used.
- Full fibre speeds do not fall with distance from the cabinet, so the advertised figure is usually what you get.
Check live availability and prices at your postcode on BroadbandSwitch.uk.
Compare deals at my postcodeThe numbers behind the chart
| Year (July) | Full fibre coverage (% of UK premises) | Gigabit-capable coverage (% of UK premises) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42 | 70 |
| 2023 | 57 | 78 |
| 2024 | 69 | 84 |
| 2025 | 78 | 87 |
| January 2026 (homes) | 82 | 89 |
Questions people ask
What is the difference between full fibre and gigabit-capable?
Full fibre means a fibre optic line all the way to your home (FTTP). Gigabit-capable also includes Virgin Media’s upgraded cable network, which can deliver 1 Gbps download over coaxial cable. All full fibre is gigabit-capable; not all gigabit-capable lines are full fibre.
Why do the 2025 and 2026 figures use different bases?
The July 2025 figure (78%) is for all UK premises, homes and businesses. The January 2026 figure (82%) from Ofcom’s Spring 2026 update is for residential premises only.
How do I find out if my address can get full fibre?
Enter your postcode on BroadbandSwitch.uk; the comparison checks Openreach, CityFibre, Virgin Media and the altnets at your exact address.
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Cite as: UKSpeedTest.co.uk (2026). UK full fibre and gigabit coverage, 2022 to 2025. BroadbandSwitch.uk. https://ukspeedtest.co.uk/infographics/uk-full-fibre-and-gigabit-coverage-2022-2025/
Related
- Full fibre speed test
- What is the average UK broadband speed? (BroadbandSwitch.uk)
- UK broadband speed statistics and benchmarks
Sources
- Ofcom. (2025, November 19). Connected Nations UK report 2025. www.ofcom.org.uk
- Ofcom. (2026, May 13). Connected Nations update: Spring 2026. www.ofcom.org.uk
- Jackson, M. (2025, November 19). Ofcom: gigabit broadband covers 87% of UK as 5G hits 97%. ISPreview. www.ispreview.co.uk
- Jackson, M. (2023, December). Ofcom: UK gigabit broadband rises to 78% as 5G tops 85 to 93%. ISPreview. www.ispreview.co.uk