Ofcom has kicked off its Telecoms Access Review (TAR) 2026, an evaluation of the regulations that will apply to the UK fixed telecoms markets from April 2026 until March 2031.
Full fibre is now available to over 6 in 10 UK households according to the third annual State of Broadband Report by thinkbroadband.
It estimates that 85% coverage will be achieved in September 2025, a delay to last year’s prediction, and that 95% coverage will be achieved by May 2026.
Across UK nations, the report shows that Northern Ireland’s coverage remains ahead at 94.1%, with England second at 60.2%, Wales third at 59.2% and Scotland lagging with 54.8%.
The progress in Northern Ireland is largely driven by Project Stratum, therefore, despite its impressive coverage numbers, only 29.4% of premises are addressed by an altnet.
This is higher in England where 31.8% of premises can take fibre services from an altnet. Scotland comes third by this metric at 25.3%.
Only 10.7% of premises in Wales can access fibre services from an altnet, according to thinkbroadband.
So far 16 authorities have over 90% coverage with City of Kingston upon Hull leading the race.