Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Telecoms in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts
Whether streaming 4K content with 5G mobile internet or online gaming with superfast gigabit home broadband, consumers across the United Kingdom (UK) are embracing the exciting capabilities of next generation telecoms networks. The UK is home to a competitive telecommunications market, with a range of operators seeking to bring these capabilities to the country’s 68 million residents. The industry generated revenue of almost 33 billion British pounds in 2023, up one billion on 2022, with the deployment and adoption of 5G mobile technology and fiber optic fixed networks a key priority for network operators, regulators, and government leaders.
Access to 5G will continue to dominate the agenda looking ahead, as operators and business leaders highlight the importance of the next generation technology in realizing the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. A potential merger between Vodafone and Three could prove pivotal, with Vodafone framing the deal as a vital move towards the UK government’s aim of achieving nationwide 5G access.
Fiber broadband propels fixed download speeds
The rollout of fiber-optic networks across the UK has prompted a shift in fixed broadband connection types. Of the 28 million fixed connections in the UK in 2023, roughly half were fiber-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connections, while one in five were classified as fiber-to-the premises (FTTP) connections, an increase of around two million on the previous year. FTTP is considered ‘full fiber,’ as only fiber-optic cables are used to carry a connection to an address. Meanwhile, FTTC connections utilize traditional copper telephone cables to carry a connection over the final stage from the street cabinet to the premises, and thus deliver inferior connection quality. The recent increase in FTTP connections has sparked a surge in UK fixed broadband download speeds, with the average speed surpassing 139 Mbit/s in 2023.Household spending on mobile services continues to fall
The total number of mobile subscriptions in the UK surpassed 84 million in 2023, with mobile technology used by 97 percent of the population. Despite this high penetration, household spending on mobile services has fallen sharply in recent years due to shifting consumption habits. The average monthly household spend on mobile voice and data services fell below 40 British pounds in 2023, down more than a third from 2015 in real terms. Nevertheless, UK mobile operators saw increased mobile retail revenue that same year, with the market generating almost 14 billion British pounds. Fifth-generation networks will play a central role in any future market growth, with forecasts expecting the vast majority of mobile connections to be 5G by the end of the decade.Access to 5G will continue to dominate the agenda looking ahead, as operators and business leaders highlight the importance of the next generation technology in realizing the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. A potential merger between Vodafone and Three could prove pivotal, with Vodafone framing the deal as a vital move towards the UK government’s aim of achieving nationwide 5G access.
