The latest independent data from Thinkbroadband‘s database has revealed that alternative full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP networks (AltNets) now cover over a quarter (25.14%) of the UK, which is up from 23.64% at the end of June 2023. In terms of the top 10 locations where such networks dominate, Peterborough (84%) comes first.
Just to be clear. The data from TBB is largely focused on consumer-facing AltNets (not Dark Fibre etc.) and excludes established players, such as Virgin Media (VMO2), Openreach and KCOM. But to be fair, some people would probably consider KCOM to be an AltNet now and if that were so then Hull would probably top the list below.
The data below also takes into account the overlapping nature of some of the roll-outs and excludes those areas where providers say service is “coming soon” or is in a pre-order state (i.e. not yet fully live and Ready for Service [RFS] by ISPs). This is because there can often be a huge time lag between properties being covered and actually going live – the only service that matters here the one you can actually take.
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Take note that nexfibre’s FTTP coverage, despite technically being an AltNet too, is currently measured as being part of Virgin Media – at least until we see some other ISPs going wholesale with related packages.
Top 10 Local UK Councils with the Most AltNet FTTP Cover
- City of Peterborough 84.00%
- Hammersmith and Fulham 83.35%
- Coventry District 82.13%
- Southend-on-Sea 77.70%
- City of Westminster 77.34%
- Milton Keynes 77.31%
- Tower Hamlets 74.48%
- Hyndburn District 73.54%
- Newham 73.54%
- Aberdeen City 72.96%
The AltNets having the greatest impact above are almost certainly the biggest players, such as CityFibre (2.3 million estimated premises), CommunityFibre (1.1 million), Hyperoptic (1 million) and Netomnia (YouFibre – 556,000). You can see a list of the largest 17 AltNets by estimated real-world coverage in our earlier article (here).
Many of the above locations are naturally urban ones (stronger commercial viability) and so these providers will be bringing additional, as well as often being cheaper and faster, gigabit-capable network choices to local homes.
I think those figures might need revising, since West Oxfordshire has almost full coverage since Gigaclear bought the contract from Cotswolds Broadband to connect the district.
How many live premises from gigaclear in west oxfordshire?
Interesting seeing Aberdeen City in the top 10.
I think pretty much all of that coverage will be by Cityfibre who are, of course, cutting back on building their network.
I would argue the best Altnet locations are not the ones with a single Altnet and high penetration but where there are two or more Altnets and high penetration.
You are missing Peterlee 🙂 90%+
Peterlee is not a district/unitary authority, so why missing.
Its part of County Durham which is at 27.78% Alt-net coverage