Why is rural broadband so bad?
By early 2025, around 48,000 homes and businesses across the UK were still unable to access “decent” broadband, defined as speeds of at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. While broadband access has improved significantly since 2017, rural areas continue to face slower speeds due to ongoing infrastructure challenges.
The rollout of super-fast and gigabit-capable broadband has been notably slower in rural regions, where only around 55–57% of premises have access to full-fibre broadband, compared to approximately 76% coverage in urban areas. This disparity is largely because fibre-optic installation has remained concentrated in urban centres, where installation is more commercially viable.
Despite government initiatives like Project Gigabit, bridging the urban–rural digital divide remains a key infrastructure challenge in the UK.
Will rural broadband get faster?
The Universal Service Obligation (USO) announced by the government and BT means that everyone in the UK now has the right to download speeds of at least 10Mbps.
The Government has also delivered on its commitment to provide 95% of the UK with broadband speeds of 24Mbps or faster. Unfortunately, most of the 95% are in urban areas but it does mean that faster broadband is becoming more accessible.
If you don’t want to wait for ADSL or fibre to improve in your area there are other options.
Mobile broadband in rural areas
If a standard ADSL connection isn’t working for you then you might want to consider mobile broadband. Faster networks like 4G have made mobile broadband a viable alternative and it has the added benefit of being portable.
Mobile broadband can be a great alternative to ADSL and sometimes is even faster. However, mobile signal is notoriously patchy in the countryside so you will need to make sure you have good coverage before signing up to a mobile broadband contract.
Satellite broadband in rural areas
Satellite broadband could be another great alternative to ADSL or fibre connections. All you need for satellite broadband is a dish that points towards a satellite, meaning it can be great for the most remote locations.
Satellite broadband is available anywhere because it doesn’t rely on a fixed line. However it can have significant installation costs and you will have a restricted data allowance. Satellite broadband also tends to suffer from lag meaning that it isn’t ideal for streaming or online gaming.
The good news is that your installation costs could be subsidised. The Government offers a scheme of subsidised satellite broadband to homes and businesses without an affordable connection of at least 2Mbps. If you are really struggling with your broadband connection then satellite could be your best option.
Better broadband in my area
If poor broadband connection is a problem for your whole area, then you might be able to club together to lobby for better service.
A community broadband scheme is when a group of people lobby broadband providers for a better service. Using a community broadband scheme, you could get some of the in a very remote area, but you’ll need to make sure your group is big enough to make it cost effective!
The Rural Broadband Partnership can help you find out whether there is a project in your area. If there isn’t, it will help you start your own community group. If you can get a community together you may even be eligible for a grant to help your community broadband project.
Broadband deals in my area
If mobile or satellite broadband isn’t for you and you can’t get a community project off the ground, you can still get broadband with a cable or fibre-optic connection.
Most households in the UK have an ADSL connection. It’s usually the easiest way to get and as long as you have a telephone line you can get ADSL broadband. However, if you live a long way from the nearest telephone exchange you may find your ADSL connection painfully slow.
Fibre-optic broadband is a super-fast option but it also depends on your distance from the street cabinet. If you live in a really remote area, you are unlikely to get the benefits of super-fast broadband. Paying for a fibre to premises connection is guaranteed to get you fast internet, however it can cost thousands of pounds and you will have to cover this cost yourself.
If you are looking for in a rural area make sure you compare your options before committing to a contract. Try using our comparison tool to find the best broadband deals in your area.