Research Round-up July 2024
- Veronica Speiser
- Aug 2, 2024
- 1 min read
BDUK Project Gigabit Postcode Build Analysis; Infrastructure suppliers update - UK network suppliers weigh up future after scale deployments; UK fixed broadband availability update Q2 24 - The North leads the way in the UK FTTP rollout during the quarter; Q2 2024 UK Broadband Affordability; UK telecoms sector news; government and Ofcom updates
Key publication of the month:
This is our regular update on fixed broadband availability in the UK, tracking the progress between the end of March 2024 and the end of June 2024. The analysis is based on the ThinkPoint broadband availability dataset which includes 1.7m postcodes.
In summary
At the end of Q2 2024, the overall FTTP coverage was 22.3m premises (67.7% of the UK total). This metric was up from 64.6% in Q1 2024.
Nearly 7.7 million premises had access to 2 or more FTTP networks, and 1m were covered by 3+ fibre networks.
The FTTP coverage was 50% or higher in 77.5% of local authorities, up from 71.8% of LAs three months earlier.
Lincoln saw the most marked increase in the proportion of premises passed with FTTP – from 58.4% in Q1 2024 to 80.8% in Q2 2024.
Read the complete article here.
Key July telecoms sector news
BT Group News
15 July – BT Group published trading update for the three months to 30 June 2024.
15 July – Openreach has started work to build new ultrafast broadband networks in Scottish border towns Jedburgh and Hawick. Across the Scottish Borders, more than 30,000 households and businesses are now passed by the new full fibre network.
19 July – Openreach published GEN069/24: notification of tranche 13, 39 FTTP priority exchanges, stop sell implementation 16 August 2024 and the realignment of 15 notified exchanges; GEN070/24 Notification of product stop sells, Tranche 17 in 92 FTTP exchanges.
23 July – Openreach announced more than 57k of Scotland’s hardest to connect households and businesses can now get connected through the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% programme.
31 July – Pontyates, Llanfairfechan, Bishopston and Manorbier are among the latest set of rural Welsh communities announced by Openreach that could soon become ultrafast with the support of UK Government broadband vouchers.
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) News
5 July – VMO2 announced full fibre broadband with top speeds of 2 Gbps now available to more than 20k additional homes in Yeovil.
8 July – Following the success of Virgin Media’s initial rollout of smart support to existing customers earlier this year – which has benefited over 50k users so far – the second phase focuses on supporting new customers during the first few weeks of their service.
11 July – VMO2 announced full fibre broadband with top speeds of 2 Gbps now available to more than 20k additional homes in Milton Keynes.
CityFibre (CF) News
8 July – CF announced it had connected its first subscriber via its Project Gigabit rollout. The first customer, based in the village of Grantchester, has been connected by Vodafone and is taking its new ultrafast 2.2 Gbps symmetrical broadband service.
10 July – CF has completed the primary-build of its full fibre network in Wellingborough. The new network is now 'ready for service’ to over 20,000 homes, about 82% of residential properties and most businesses in the town.
11 July – CF has now fully automated its network infrastructure platform test environment – a dedicated facility where all its new products, network technology changes and software upgrades are rigorously tested prior to implementation across its nationwide network.
Advanced test infrastructure provided by test automation market leader Red Helix, combined with a bespoke automation framework designed and built with professional services from IGXGlobal UK, an ePlus Technology, inc. company, has enabled CityFibre to significantly increase the speed, volume and accuracy of its testing, while also supporting innovation and future introduction of emerging technologies.
25 July – CF has passed 30k in Eastbourne. This latest milestone makes Eastbourne one of a growing number of locations across the UK to benefit from a full fibre upgrade by CityFibre. CityFibre has completed multiple areas in the town, most recently Sovereign Harbour, Friday Street and Langney, and the rollout will now move into Meads, Roselands and further parts of Old Town.
Independent Operators (AltNets) News
8 July – Netomnia has passed, and made Ready for Service (RFS), more than 1m homes and businesses as part of its national fibre rollout, in just four years, having passed 500k premises within the last year alone.
9 July – Hyperoptic secures £150m from UKIB to further accelerate its full fibre network roll out. The leading alternative full fibre provider has now raised an additional £255m of debt facilities this year, from new and existing lenders, to boost its roll out and growth plans, demonstrating continued support for its business plan.
16 July – UK Infrastructure Bank gives broadband boost to rural Cornwall with £35m investment in Wildanet.
24 July – Hyperoptic announced the launch of its new Zyxel routers, further bolstering its range of Hyperhubs. The state-of-the-art device, designed to significantly enhance the broadband experience, offers superior performance, stability, and security to Hyperoptic’s customers.
30 July – Community Fibre has come together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide free access to 100% full fibre broadband to eligible Londoners struggling to get online.
After launching back in May in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, the initiative will now expand to two new sites in Streatham and Hoxton, which will see those eligible for the service receive 12 months of free full fibre broadband at speeds of 50 Mbps from Community Fibre.
30 July – Cornwall-based broadband provider Wildanet has today announced a groundbreaking new partnership agreement with global telecoms giant Nokia, which will accelerate the roll-out of its new gigabit-enabled Full Fibre network for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Other News
25 July – Project Gigabit network build contract – Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire and Project Gigabit network build contract – North Yorkshire awarded to Quickline.
25 July – Ofcom published the latest figures for complaints we’ve received about the UK’s major landline, mobile, broadband and pay-TV providers.
26 July – Ofcom publishes draft industry guidance on transparency reporting and information gathering.
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