Ofcom’s Connected Nations

Rising Data Demand and the UK’s Rapid Shift to 5G Standalone

Ofcom has released its 2025 Connected Nations UK Report, reporting increasing mobile data demand and use, and the rapid expansion of 5G standalone networks. Ofcom’s Connected Nations annual report provides objective information on the UK telecoms market for operators, vendors and investors. This year’s report confirms a market transition towards higher-capacity networks, increased spectrum utilisation and the early adoption of 5G standalone, while also revealing behavioural shifts such as landline abandonment and strong take-up of satellite broadband in rural areas. For organisations operating in or advising on UK connectivity markets, this year’s findings provide data for investment planning, network strategy and future regulatory focus.

Regulatory Background to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report

Under sections 134A–134B of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom must regularly prepare and publish assessments of the availability, performance and resilience of fixed and mobile networks. Ofcom’s Connected Nations report fulfils this statutory duty and is published annually and serves as a key evidence base for future regulatory decisions on spectrum management, numbering, security obligations and market interventions.

The companion news update (Brits devour data at record levels as mobile networks race to improve 5G ) draws out headline trends on data usage and network deployment. Although advisory in nature, these publications inform Ofcom’s approach to infrastructure policy, universal service, resilience requirements under the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, and long-term spectrum planning under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. For international readers, the reports also provide a benchmark against peer markets and an indicator of where the UK is moving relative to EU and Asia-Pacific connectivity standards.

Analysis of Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report

This year’s Ofcom’s Connected Nations report reports confirm sustained growth in mobile data consumption. UK users now consume more than 1.2 billion GB of mobile data each month, an 18% annual rise, with 5G traffic growing by 53% year-on-year. Much of this growth is attributable to the increased availability of advanced radio networks and the continued use of mobile networks for fixed wireless access. Ofcom’s analysis shows that 4G remains the principal bearer, but 5G is rapidly increasing its share, particularly where standalone deployments have intensified. 

A major development in the 2025 Ofcom’s Connected Nations data set is the clear acceleration of 5G standalone (5G SA). Ofcom has for the first time provided separate coverage data for 5G standalone deployments. At the high-confidence threshold, 83% of the UK now has access to 5G SA from at least one mobile network operator. Combined 5G coverage (SA and non-SA) now reaches 94–97% of the UK on Ofcom’s high-confidence measure. This positions the UK among the most advanced markets globally in transitioning from non-standalone to full 5G. 

Fixed networks show similar pace in rollout but slower growth in adoption. Full-fibre coverage has increased to 78% of premises, with gigabit-capable networks now available to 87% of homes and businesses. Yet only 42% of premises with access to full fibre subscribe to the service, and only 21% of those subscribers take a package at or above 900 Mbit/s. This divergence between availability and adoption remains a structural feature of the UK broadband market and is likely to inform future discussions on wholesale pricing, retail competition and consumer switching incentives. 

Ofcom’s Connected Nations report also highlight behavioural and technological shifts. Over one million households have ceased using a landline, signalling an accelerating move away from PSTN-based services as the industry progresses towards the 2025–2027 digital voice transition. Satellite connections, particularly Starlink, have grown sharply, with over 110,000 active UK users, 12,000 of which are in areas lacking access to decent broadband. This reinforces the role of satellite as a complementary access technology but also raises longer-term questions around regulatory treatment, quality of service and consumer protection in non-terrestrial networks. 

Commercial and Operational Implications of Ofcom’s Connected Nations report

For mobile operators, the data shows continued investment in 5G SA and the enabling layer of transport, backhaul and core network upgrades. The increasing share of 5G traffic will likely require further optimisation of spectrum assets and may accelerate negotiations on spectrum sharing, neutral host arrangements and Open RAN deployments. Operators serving enterprise and IoT markets should also note Ofcom’s focus on SA-specific capabilities, such as network slicing and low-latency services.

Fixed network operators and alternative networks face a different challenge: converting high levels of fibre availability into higher adoption and higher-tier package take-up. Operators may wish to consider their customer migration strategies, differentiation of gigabit services and consistent quality of service performance. Wholesale-only providers may need to review how they work with ISPs to improve customer understanding of speed profiles and contract structures.

Satellite and FWA providers could view the data as validation of their role in rural and remote premises. For investments, the relative maturity of the UK fibre market – combined with the early scale-up of 5G SA – signals a market moving from build-out to optimisation and consolidation.

Those advising on UK-facing infrastructure or M&A transactions will find Ofcom’s Connected Nations a reliable data reference point.

Viewpoint

This year’s Ofcom’s Connected Nations data confirms that the UK is entering a new phase of connectivity maturity. The rapid adoption of 5G standalone, combined with very high gigabit availability, signals a market where the focus is shifting from rollout to performance, resilience and long-term commercial sustainability. Operators, vendors and investors can see the findings as evidence of a structurally stable, high-demand environment in which capacity, spectrum efficiency and customer migration strategies will define competitive advantage. For regulated providers, this data is also an early indicator of where Ofcom’s future focus may lie: ensuring that network availability translates into meaningful choice, reliability and quality of experience for end-users.