Why Does Rural Broadband Lag Behind?

In today's era of digital transformation, having a fast and dependable internet connection is essential for both work and leisure. Why does rural broadband fall behind, and how can we accelerate its progress?

Broadband speed in rural and remote areas has long been a challenge, although there are signs of improvement. One key reason for slower speeds is the infrastructure itself. Serving rural homes and businesses is often more complex and costly for providers compared to urban areas.

Rural properties are typically situated farther from street cabinets and telephone exchanges, where broadband signals originate. As broadband signals travel over long distances, their speed naturally diminishes. In rural settings, where distances can span several miles, broadband speeds are often significantly slower than advertised. Additionally, the reliance on outdated copper wiring for parts of the data transmission journey further contributes to speed limitations.

How Will Rural Broadband Be Improved?

Superfast broadband, boasting advertised download speeds exceeding 30 megabits per second (Mbps), is now accessible to 97% of UK households and businesses.

Yet, approximately 14% of rural properties still lack access to this service, as per Ofcom. Moreover, around 80,000 UK premises remain without a reliable fixed broadband connection, offering download speeds of at least 10 Mbps.

However, positive changes are on the horizon. The Government's Project Gigabit initiative pledges £5 billion to subsidize the construction of gigabit-capable broadband networks in remote regions.

As of September 2022, 70% of UK households could access gigabit speeds. Nevertheless, while 76% of urban homes enjoy gigabit-capable broadband, only 37% of rural residences share this privilege. Although the wait may be prolonged, faster broadband for rural locales is forthcoming.

If you've maintained the same broadband package for an extended period, it's advisable to search if a quicker connection is now accessible to you.

Our Rapid Broadband Jargon Busters

Superfast broadband typically delivers download speeds of 30 Mbps, allowing for rapid song downloads. It is predominantly delivered via fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connections.

Ultrafast broadband denotes connections with download speeds surpassing 300 Mbps, achievable through fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband setups.

Gigabit-capable broadband provides download speeds of 1,000 Mbps, enabling HD film downloads in under a minute. This service is facilitated by advanced full fibre or coaxial cables extending directly to your residence. In the future, 5G broadband technology may also offer this capability.

What Are My Broadband Options in Rural Areas?

In rural regions, various broadband services await, tailored to suit your needs and location. Your available options depend on the infrastructure and providers in your vicinity. Here's what you might be offered:

ADSL Broadband: Utilising traditional copper phone lines, ADSL broadband, or standard broadband, was once commonplace but is gradually being phased out in favour of more advanced options.

Standard Fibre Broadband: Embracing fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) technology, this broadband type combines fibre and copper wiring. While fast fibre cables connect to street cabinets, copper lines cover the rest of the journey to your home. However, speeds may diminish with distance, impacting rural areas more severely.

Full Fibre Broadband: Experience uninterrupted performance with fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband, where fibre-optic cables transmit data directly to your home. Although not yet widely available in rural locales, you could potentially enjoy ultrafast 1 Gbps download speeds.

More Specialist Types of Broadband You May Discover:

Fixed Wireless Broadband: Offered by local providers, fixed wireless broadband utilises wireless transmitters positioned atop structures like church spires. These transmit radio signals to receivers on homes within sight, offering connectivity without cables.

Mobile Broadband: Ideal for areas lacking infrastructure, mobile broadband utilises 4G and 5G networks to deliver internet connectivity via wireless routers, dongles, or data-only SIMs. Good mobile reception is crucial for optimal performance.

Satellite Broadband: Connectivity is beamed via satellite dish, making satellite broadband viable in virtually any location with a clear line of sight to the satellite. While installation costs may be high, it offers a reliable option for remote areas.

Explore your broadband options and embrace connectivity, no matter where you reside!

Is Broadband More Expensive in Rural Areas?

It's worth noting that ADSL and fibre services don't inherently come with a higher price tag in rural locales. However, the necessity for alternative options like satellite broadband or fixed wireless services, prompted by speed and availability constraints, can lead to increased costs.

For some individuals, investing in a dedicated fibre line to their property, while costly, may be the sole solution to attain desired speeds.

How Long Will Upgrades Nationwide Take?

Openreach and Virgin are actively expanding their full fibre networks. Residents can use Openreach’s fibre broadband checker to track progress in their area. Moreover, engaging with local businesses and politicians can help advocate for service extensions, aligning with the government's target to provide full fibre to most by 2025.

Initiatives like Project Gigabit aim to improve connectivity, with a goal to provide gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach areas by investing in infrastructure. However, achieving universal coverage takes time due to the challenges of laying cables and reaching remote locations.

Expert Tips on Increasing Rural Broadband Speed

If you’re seeking ways to access fast broadband in rural areas, consider joining forces with neighbours to advocate for improved services. Fibre Community Partnerships can assist in identifying existing projects or help establish new community groups. Explore more about community broadband initiatives on the Fibre Community Partnerships website.

Other options to access fast broadband include:

Rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme: Eligible residents and businesses can claim vouchers towards installing gigabit-capable broadband connections, supported by the Government’s Project Gigabit initiative.

Request an upgrade: If your current broadband doesn’t meet the 10Mbps download speed threshold, you can request a faster connection under the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO), ensuring every UK home and business has the right to a decent broadband connection.

Private network installation: Consider engaging a private company to install a local network, albeit at potentially higher costs.

Smaller suppliers: Inquire with smaller organisations about any grants available for rural broadband deployment, as some may offer support.

Public WiFi: In the interim, utilize public WiFi available at local libraries or cafes. While not a permanent solution, it can provide temporary access. Ensure to access only HTTPS sites for security.

How to Find the Right Rural Broadband Plan

While rural internet choices offered by broadband providers are typically more restricted, it's still worthwhile to explore what options are accessible to you.

We've streamlined the process with our broadband comparison service.

Simply enter your postcode, and we'll present you with a list of available deals, highlighting the best broadband speeds for rural areas.