Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) UK

What is the Broadband USO?

The Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) is a legal right that came into force on 20 March 2020. It gives every home and small business in the UK the right to request a decent, affordable broadband connection. Ofcom defines "decent" as at least 10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed.

If you cannot get broadband at these speeds from any provider, you can make a formal request and the designated USO provider must deliver a connection to you, as long as the installation cost does not exceed £3,400.

Who provides the USO connection?

The UK Government designated two providers to deliver USO connections:

• BT covers the whole of the UK except the Hull area.
• KCOM covers the Hull and East Yorkshire area.

These providers are legally required to fulfil USO requests. You do not need to be an existing customer of either provider to make a request.

How to make a USO request

1. Check whether you can already get 10 Mbps or faster broadband from any provider at your address. Run a postcode check using the comparison tool or contact providers directly.
2. If no provider can deliver at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, contact BT (or KCOM in the Hull area) and ask for a USO connection.
3. BT or KCOM will assess your address and confirm whether the installation cost falls within the £3,400 threshold.
4. If the cost is within the threshold, the provider must install the connection. You will then pay a standard monthly charge for the service.
5. If the cost exceeds £3,400, you can still request the connection but you would need to fund the difference above the threshold yourself.

What the USO does not cover

• The USO does not guarantee ultrafast or gigabit speeds. The minimum obligation is 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
• It does not apply to mobile broadband (4G/5G). The USO covers fixed-line broadband only.
• It does not mean every address will get full fibre. The connection technology used will depend on what is practical and cost-effective for your location.
• Business premises with more than 10 employees are not covered.

The bigger picture

The USO was introduced because commercial broadband rollout does not always reach every address. While FTTP coverage has expanded rapidly (approximately 78-84% of UK premises as of early 2026), some rural and remote properties still cannot access even basic broadband speeds. The USO provides a safety net for those addresses.

If your address can already get 10 Mbps or faster from a commercial provider, the USO does not apply, but you can still use the comparison tool to find better deals. For rural addresses where fixed broadband is limited, also consider 4G and 5G broadband as an alternative.

Frequently asked questions