UPD Point Topic Post Goldmine of Data for UK Broadband Speed and Coverage
Telecoms analyst Point Topic has today released a veritable treasure trove of useful information by making their full local authority broadband speeds and coverage database available to non-subscribers, which allows you to compare the quality of internet access in your area with the rest of the United Kingdom.
The immensely useful information covers everything from population data, business premises and LLU availability to average broadband speeds, coverage by specific internet access technologies and predictions about the present and future availability of superfast Next Generation Access (NGA) services, such as BT’s FTTC and FTTP or Virgin Media’s cable platform, to 2017.
The figure of 81% NGA coverage by the end of 2015 would appear to be quite someway below the government’s aim of reaching 90% by the same date, although it’s VERY important to stress that for some reason Point Topic’s figure a) excludes Virgin Media’s cable platform and b) isn’t actually referencing coverage at all.
In fact the % represents the weighted probability of each postcode in an area being in a footprint that delivers FTTx (FTTC/P/B etc.). In any case it’s very difficult to know the real answer to that “coverage” question while so many projects have yet to complete their survey phases.
PointTopic’s Local Authority Broadband Database (MS Excel Format)
Point-Topic-UK-Broadband-Geography-local-authority-scoreboard-2013.xlsx
The data is not really intended for a general summary but suffice to say that some will surely find it to be invaluable. However the analyst did include an interesting map of average broadband throughput speeds around the UK, though it lacks some context.
UPDATE 21st May 2013
Point Topic has corrected their data, specifically noting that their original coverage information for KC was over-stated and that the coverage for Digital Region had been under-stated. It does not affect the overall results above but you can get the new copy below.
http://point-topic.com/free-analysis/uk-local-authority-scorecard/
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and Linkedin.
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It always makes me laugh now when I read by the end of 2015, Ithough the original target for 90% was by 2015 which is really the end of 2014. So like I said at the start it would never happen and that is the way it is really looking now.
We will never have fit for purpose connectivity for all until we stop believing the weasel words of the incumbent. Muliti million pound advertising budgets have done their work. We need to make politicians face up to the fact that a phone network cannot deliver the future. We need to get altnets building new fibre networks around the towns and cities to help the areas of bad connectivity where take up will be great. That sort of competition will stop the telcos pratting about with cabinets. If we want everyone online we have to have the infrastructure. Handing public money over to the cabinets to make a few go a bit faster is in effect stopping worthy and innovative solutions happening.
Same old story and not willing to discuss. Look at applications and speeds required plus explain how FTTP will be funded. Why aren’t the altnets building everywhere now, nothing stopping them?
Take up will be great? Not at £37/month for 10M. See what Tesco are selling.
As asked before, how many is this ‘few’ you keep writing about? If it is only a few then there must be plenty of opportunities for these innovative solutions.
@Chris Conder: I agree with you. What’s needed is a national fibre optic network which should be planned and funded as a long-term investment, like a NBN in Australia.
Good idea, but you need to explain where the funding comes from and effect on existing networks of many telcos in the UK.
@Thefacts – The funding to start the altnets was available but was given to the councils who have wasted it on cabinets. The effect on existing networks in the uk would have been to stimulate competition and stop them patching up their copper and invest in modern technology.
Please explain why FTTC, FTTP and FoD are not modern technology and how many are the ‘few’.
The councils made their decisions based on the finance available to achieve the best result for as many as possible, but that aside I can think of two cases where money/support was given by local authorities to altnets where the result did not go well to say the least.
Firstly the original RDA grant by SEEDA to wireless operator in Sussex, and secondly the grant of £50k, if I remember correctly to an altnet, to fibre Selling village in Kent. Both ended badly for both the council and the customers. Add to that the problems in Bournemouth and the case for automatically giving to altnets does not look as compelling IMHO.