Network expansion in the UK

Understanding network expansion in the UK

The pace of network expansion in the UK continues to reshape how businesses connect, operate and grow. With full fibre rollout accelerating, 5G coverage strengthening and national programmes such as the Shared Rural Network improving access in previously underserved areas, the country’s digital infrastructure is entering a new phase of maturity.

The comments below were originally submitted to Comms Business as part of a feature examining progress in broadband and mobile network development. While editorial features typically include selected excerpts from contributors, we believe the full perspective provides useful context for partners navigating the shift to all-IP services, resilient connectivity and next-generation applications.

The following insights are provided by James Montague (JM), Head of Connectivity Portfolio and Alex Mawson (AM), Product Portfolio Director

Together, their perspectives reflect the practicalities our partners face as connectivity infrastructure evolves and customers reassess how their networks support productivity, resilience and long-term growth.

How FTTP and 5G rollouts are progressing

AM: We are now in a connected world and users continue to demand faster and more reliable access. The 5G rollouts, according to Ofcom reporting and the mobile operators’ published build plans, are progressing well and population-level coverage is strong. That said, 5G coverage inside the premise still presents challenges in certain building types.

Recent insight shows that full fibre availability has expanded to reach around 80–82 percent of UK premises and continues to grow as part of the UK’s long-term digital infrastructure strategy. However, gaps in core fibre networks remain a limiting factor for some capacity-heavy services and data centre growth.

The expanded 5G footprint has opened up cellular as a real alternative to fixed connectivity and it is proving particularly useful for specific applications such as security and CCTV. The continued deployment of 5G Standalone will further improve performance and reliability over time.

JM: Around 80 percent of UK premises can now access FTTP. Despite macro-economic challenges that have slowed FTTP build for some providers, the overall pace of fibre rollout nationally over the past five years has been impressive.

FTTP and 5G should not be positioned as competing technologies. They are complementary and together form the digital infrastructure that SMBs rely on to run, grow and innovate their businesses.

The impact of the Shared Rural Network

AM: The Shared Rural Network has benefited customers by improving coverage in areas that historically suffered from poor reception. The programme remains on track to deliver around 95 percent geographic 4G coverage, forming the foundation for further IoT and automation opportunities in remote areas.

Improved rural coverage supports greater agricultural and tourism digitisation. While mobile network operators will capture a significant proportion of direct consumer relationships, channel partners can build specific use cases and solutions around cellular IoT to address long-standing connectivity challenges in these regions.

What further progress to expect this year

AM: We expect to see continued acceleration in full fibre rollout alongside further 5G Standalone deployments. Government-backed programmes such as Project Gigabit are now well embedded and continue to push coverage deeper into harder-to-reach areas.

At the same time, investment in 5G SA will begin to unlock more advanced use cases that rely on lower latency and improved reliability. Planning and street works reforms should also help to speed up deployment.

JM: We expect Openreach to reach 25 million FTTP premises, alongside slower altnet build and further consolidation across the market. Following Ofcom’s latest market review, we would anticipate announcements from providers outlining investment commitments to extend FTTP coverage through to 2030 and beyond.

How the digital switchover will change connectivity

JM: The PSTN switch-off, alongside the retirement of remaining copper and 3G networks, positions connectivity as the key digital bearer that SMBs run their business on. The quality and resilience of that connectivity directly impacts the experience of every other service an MSP delivers.

As customers are required to move away from legacy technologies, this creates a natural opportunity for partners to review estates and position full fibre, 5G or a combination of both as part of a modern, resilient connectivity strategy.

AM: Both the copper retirement and spectrum repurposing are already driving customers to consider cellular as a true alternative solution and, in some cases, the best option for delivering connectivity. Cellular remains secure, rapidly deployable and easily repurposed as needs change.

The role of satellite broadband in modern connectivity

JM: From a technology perspective, satellite provides a useful alternative where FTTP and 5G coverage are not available, or as a secondary connection for resilience. However, go-to-market maturity and providers prioritising direct sales over wholesale channel models mean the opportunity today remains relatively limited.

As the market and LEO technologies mature, we expect to see greater demand for satellite services operating alongside FTTP and 5G rather than replacing them.

AM: It is notable that traditional fixed and mobile providers are partnering with LEO satellite operators to extend reach into areas where fibre build is challenging. Satellite services have become easier to deploy through more plug-and-play customer equipment, although pricing and usage-based models can still present challenges.

Future opportunities from next-generation networks

JM: FTTP uptake is forecast to grow strongly through to 2029 as customers migrate away from copper technologies. This represents a significant growth opportunity for the channel to become the provider of choice for SMBs.

MSPs are well placed to use this upgrade cycle to grow market share and upsell connectivity resilience and network security. With strong uptake of resilience and security in the SMB market, packaging FTTP, 5G resilience and network security together creates a compelling proposition.

AM: In many ways it is the same story again: faster, more reliable and wider availability across 4G, 5G, 5G Standalone and eventually 6G. Likewise on the fixed side, with networks evolving through GPON, XG-PON and XGS-PON. Each step forward brings new use cases.

Digital infrastructure is increasingly recognised as a major enabler of productivity and innovation. Cellular connectivity is forecast to grow significantly, driven by the rise in connected devices.

With access to next-generation networks, we will see the continued emergence of AI-powered solutions and automation underpinned by resilient fixed and cellular connectivity. Government and industry assessments already highlight AI, satellite direct-to-device services and 6G as major opportunity areas for the UK.

Supporting partners through the next phase of network expansion in the UK

Network expansion in the UK and improvements to critical infrastructure are enabling partners to deliver more resilient, scalable and future-ready services to their customers. The shift away from legacy networks, combined with growing demand for reliability and performance, is creating a sustained opportunity to evolve service portfolios and strengthen customer relationships.

Whether you are preparing for the digital switchover, exploring 5G and cellular solutions, or looking to build resilience into your connectivity offering, the right strategy and support can make the transition significantly easier.

If you would like to discuss how to expand your connectivity services, support customers through the switchover, or build new propositions around full fibre, 5G or cellular resilience, our team is ready to help. Get in touch to start the conversation.

Connectivity portfolio
IP Communications
Cellular IoT solutions
PSTN switch-off support resources