Internet Speeds

Since 2011 Ofcom has published an annual report on communications networks in the UK, previously called Infrastructure reports they are now called 'Connected Nations'.  A large portion of this report relates to fixed and mobile internet access and use.  While the report focuses primarily on national and regional analysis, since 2013 they have published post code level data on fixed line internet and since 2014 this data has included more useful information.

Between 2014 and 2016 the number of broadband connections under 2Mbit/s nearly halved with the number of connections under 10Mbit/s generally dropping.  

From Broadband Delivery UK

The Government’s aim is to provide superfast broadband (speeds of 24Mbps or more) for at least 95% of UK premises and universal access to basic broadband (speeds of at least 2Mbps).

With over 8000 connections still under 2Mbit/s in mid-2016, Connecting Devon & Somerset are working on improving internet to these harder to reach or less commercially viable areas.

In 2016 the median download speed for Somerset fixed line connections was 13.8Mbit/s compared to 8Mbit/s in 2014.   You can see in the chart below that thought there is a wide range of speeds across different Somerset post codes, the general trend is for them to be faster over time.

A lot of post codes that had very slow median download speeds in 2014 have seen improvements by 2016. Though in some areas speeds also seem to have dropped which may be due to the way data is collated.

The map below compares postcodes where 40% or more of the connections are under 2Mbit/s between 2014 and 2016.  Blue shaded areas show where the connection speed has improved, red areas show where the speeds seem to have gotten worse, and darker black or grey areas where a significant percentage of connections were slow in 2014 and are still slow in 2016.

Areas where it appears the speeds have gotten worse may be due to very low numbers of connections and may have not been in the 2014 dataset.

Data source: Ofcom Infrastructure Reports

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