UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has published new research (PDF) detailing average broadband speeds across UK internet service providers. The report provides a clear view of how the country’s broadband infrastructure is progressing.
As expected, Virgin Media leads on download speeds with its fibre-based services often delivering above their advertised rates. However, when it comes to upload speeds, Virgin’s performance is considerably weaker.
Upload speed is increasingly important for both consumers and businesses. It affects how quickly you can share files, the quality of video calls, cloud backups, and responsiveness in online gaming. In many use cases, upload capacity is as important as—or more important than—download speed.
Ofcom’s data show that Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) providers such as BT, TalkTalk and Plusnet achieve average upload speeds of 17.4 Mbps for packages described as “up to 76 Mbps” download. By comparison, Virgin Media’s nearest equivalent package—advertised at “up to 60 Mbps” download—delivers an average upload speed of just 3.1 Mbps, a gap of 14.3 Mbps.
Even Virgin Media’s top “up to 120 Mbps” download package offers an average upload speed of only 11.4 Mbps, which remains below the FTTC providers’ upload figures.
TelecomsTech contacted a Virgin Media spokesperson for comment. The spokesperson said that customers tend to prioritise download speeds because they enable households to stream and download media. They added that Virgin ensures upload speeds meet customer needs and that it is focused on delivering an overall experience driven primarily by download performance.
After raising concerns about personally experiencing slow uploads as a Virgin Media customer, TelecomsTech asked whether Virgin has plans to improve upload speeds. The spokesperson responded that the company is always looking for ways to make services faster and better suited to customer needs, and that current services are meeting demand while they continue to adapt. No specific timeline for upload improvements was provided.
Other key findings in the Ofcom report include that the UK’s average download speed is now 17.8 Mbps—roughly five times faster than when Ofcom first published comparable results in November 2008. Average download speeds vary by location: urban areas average 31.9 Mbps, suburban areas average 21.8 Mbps, and rural areas average 11.3 Mbps.
Virgin Media has also announced a free upgrade to its entry-level superfast package, increasing the advertised download speed from 30 Mbps to 50 Mbps. The provider records the fastest download speeds over a 24-hour period, and this upgrade will place its entry-level offer above the average urban download speed.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey commented that Ofcom’s report highlights the remarkable transformation of UK broadband. He noted that the UK leads the five major European economies in superfast coverage and welcomed the continued rise in average speeds, which he said benefits homes and businesses. The government is investing £790 million to extend access so that 95% of the UK will have access to superfast broadband by 2017, aiming to reduce the urban-rural digital divide.
Not everyone shares the Minister’s optimism. Boris Ivanovic, Chairman of Hyperoptic, criticised headline speed reports for making modest improvements appear significant. He argued that the UK should pursue larger, double-digit growth in broadband speeds and invest more in full fibre (FTTH/B) infrastructure. Ivanovic pointed to rapid FTTH/B deployment in countries such as China, Japan, France and Sweden and said the UK is lagging in FTTH/B rankings. He urged a more ambitious approach, suggesting small incremental increases are not enough.
The debate raises an important question for providers: should companies like Virgin Media place greater emphasis on increasing upload speeds to better meet modern user needs?
Interested in industry discussions on topics like this and practical use cases? Consider attending events where leaders in IoT, blockchain, AI & big data, and cyber security & cloud explore enterprise technology trends and real-world applications.