Number Of Rural Broadband Households Now Tops Urban

Ofcom’s new report shows that rural areas in the UK are now better connected to broadband than urban areas.

The report shows that 59% of rural homes now have broadband, compared with only 57% of urban homes. This follows concerns of a ‘digital divide’ between country and built-up areas when the service was first released.

Households in urban areas were the first to take up the service but after a rapid rollout of broadband across the country, most parts of the UK now have access.

Take-up has increased steadily in national and regional areas with broadband in 57% of all UK homes – up from 45% in the past 12 months.

Wales shows the biggest gap – 51% of rural homes have broadband, compared to only 43% of urban homes – whereas England and Northern Ireland only see a 2% difference.

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, said: “Our report highlights a closing of the geographic digital divide in the UK. Rural households are today as well connected to broadband, as their urban neighbours.”

Ofcom’s third Communications Market Report also covers take-up and the use of television, radio and telecoms services in the UK.

Digital television is in 85% of homes in the UK – up 10% since 2006 – with Sunderland claiming the highest number of digital television households at a 96% take-up of the service.

More than one in five people in England now own a DAB digital radio set – up 3% in 12 months but the highest growth was in Scotland – up 7% in the same period.

The findings also show that 12% of households rely solely on a mobile phone with Wales seeing the highest growth of mobile-only homes – up by 9%.

Richards said: “The report also shows that across the UK, take-up of all communications services continue to grow with more people watching digital television and listening to DAB digital radio and consumers are benefiting from convergence and using new ways to access traditional services.”

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk