Your slow broadband is about to get much better - if you can wait long enough

18 October 2023 , 11:00

567     0

Companies like BT and Virgin Media are leading the charge on full fibre broadband

Tired of slow, sluggish Wi-Fi speeds? Well you won't have to put up with them for too much longer, as millions of UK households are set to get some major broadband upgrades over the next year or two.

ISPreview reports that Ofcom has just released a new report which claims 91% of all UK properties are on track to receive ultrafast full fibre broadband connections by May 2026.

Only 52% of households currently have access to 'fibre-to-the-premises' (FTTP) broadband which gives you access to ultrafast download speeds.

READ MORE: New broadband speed test reveals just how bad your internet really is

This is the kind of internet infrastructure which enables countries like Spain and France to deliver vastly better connection speeds than the UK.

Sky TV and broadband customers given urgent warning about price hike in bills

Many families across the UK still have to put up with slow Internet

Britain consistently lags behind its nearest neighbours when it comes to broadband availability, thanks to years of underinvestment in an ageing copper wire network.

However, the good news is that we're quickly catching up, with upgrades planned across the country. If every proposal comes to pass, Ofcom says 98% of urban households will be gigabit-capable (with up to 1Gbps internet) along with 75% of rural properties by May 2026.

The news will come as a relief to many households which are stuck with slow landline Internet barely capable of streaming a YouTube video.

If you can't wait until 2026 to get a better Internet connection, there are a few things you can do.

Firstly, try switching broadband provider. Websites like Uswitch let you enter your postcode and see what broadband is available in your area. This could not only help you upgrade to a better connection, but it could also save you money by letting you switch to a cheaper contract.

Some of you might not be able to switch or exit your contract just yet. But fortunately, most broadband providers have services to help improve your Wi-Fi speed. If you're having technical issues you can give them a call and most of the time they'll be able to lead you through a reset process that could speed things up.

Failing that, you could always try the old Wi-Fi beer can trick.

Ciaran Daly