Full Fibre UK Broadband Connections Overtake FTTC for First Time
The latest estimated Q3 2025 market statistics from telecoms analyst firm Point Topic have revealed that, for the first time, Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based UK subscriber broadband ISP connections (11.56 million) have overtaken the previous generation of hybrid Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC/VDSL2) lines (10.6m).
In terms of the other broadband technologies. Some 5.1 million connections use Virgin Media’s cable / hybrid fibre coax (DOCSIS 3.1) network, which is followed by 1.43 million on pure copper line ADSL (ADSLMax, ADSL2+) technology and 406,000 on Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) – predominantly reflecting Hyperoptic’s base. After that, some 255k are connected via a G.fast cabinet (we think it may be even less) and 232k via satellite and fixed wireless networks.
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Independent (or alternative network) providers continued to focus on subscriber take-up and saw 193k net additions in Q3 (up from 190k in the previous quarter), with a total consumer broadband FTTB/P subscriber base reaching 3.02 million (up 29% year-on-year). CityFibre alone accounted for 108k additions in Q3 (total base of 730,000), thanks in part to Sky Broadband joining their network.
Year-on-Year Take-up Rates for Selected Altnets (Q3 2024 and Q3 2025)
By comparison, Openreach saw 551k full fibre net additions in Q3, which took their FTTP subscriber base – sold via hundreds of ISPs – to 7.65m (37.7% take-up). But as previously reported, they also lost 242k broadband lines (all technologies) in the quarter to rivals (up from 169k losses in Q2).
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The report goes on to summarise a lot of the details we’ve covered before in prior news reports and results announcements, which makes it useful as a general overview of the market.
Q3 2025 UK ISP and network supplier metrics
https://www.point-topic.com/../q3-2025-uk-isp-and-network-supplier-metrics-a-market-overview
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 X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Well since it is getting more difficult to FTTC or stay on FTTC, with higher prices, then FTTP is going to over take FTTC.
Like saying Windows 11 is overtaking Windows 10, yes, because you can’t buy computers with Windows 10 any more.
Same sort of thing
I would have stayed on FTTC, price and Plusnet trying to shove me to a 24-month contract got me to change. Now it is done, I am fine with it.
One day Linux will overtake Windows 11. I am Linux user and really hate Microsoft now.
I think you will be waiting a long time for that Phil, more chance of macOS over taking Windows and I doubt that will happen either.
But great if you prefer using Linux then fine, like i prefer Mac these days.
Like you, I hate Windows
Yup, it looks like curtains for windows.
1.43 million on ADSL, is this accurate?? Way more than I thought. They should just get Starlink.
Well done, that’s the 21st century equivalent of “let them eat cake”.
“They should just get Starlink” hmmm.
There are many people like me: grateful for ADSL, passed over by VDSL which might barely exceed ADSL (if at all), who are looking forward to FTTP. People who are trying to avoid going anywhere near Starlink’s technically very impressive but pricey, fragile, and power-sucking service.
But Musk salutes you for your recommendation.
Maybe 1.43m on ADSL might be OAPs or low income benefits that don’t need faster broadband or aren’t interested in faster speed.
I guess there will be lot will be low bandwidth specific use e.g. for telemetry or remote access. Openreach themselves must have a few thousand for management use
Price is one problem, Starlink is expensive, and some people would rather have slow internet than pay Musk a penny, I know I would be in that category.
The other thing is, not everyone will have the space to put the equipment.
Have you also not thought that some people may be fine with ADSL if the price is right? Saying that, FTTC is around the same price, if they can get it.
Where I and my parents live, in both of our areas FTTP is just not an option. My folks have recently gone from ADSL2 to FTTC, and I’ve upgraded to 4G rolling my own wireless broadband that’s faster than FTTC is offered at and for a fraction of the price.