Quick summary: On Ofcom's end-2025 figures, full fibre became the UK's most common broadband line: 12.3 million lines against 9.9 million part fibre (FTTC).

Full Fibre Is Taking Over UK Broadband: What Ofcom's Latest Numbers Show

Ofcom data, end of 2025 and January 2026

On Ofcom's end-2025 figures, full fibre became the UK's most common type of broadband line

12.3m

full fibre lines at the end of 2025, 42% of all broadband connections

Ofcom

9.9m

part-fibre (FTTC) lines, down 2.6 million in a year

Ofcom

82%

of UK homes can get full fibre, 24.9 million, January 2026

Ofcom

47%

of premises that can get it have taken it, 12.4 million

Ofcom

Sources: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026 (lines at the end of 2025); Ofcom, Connected Nations update: Spring 2026 (availability and take-up, January 2026). Checked 21 October 2026.

On Ofcom's end-2025 figures, full fibre became the UK's most common type of broadband line. Ofcom counted 12.3 million full fibre lines, 42% of all connections, against 9.9 million part-fibre (FTTC) lines.

It can reach 82% of UK homes, 24.9 million, as of January 2026, and 12.4 million homes and businesses had taken it, 47% of all premises that could get it.

So more than half of the homes and businesses that can get full fibre haven't taken it yet. If that's you, Ofcom says many people can switch and "pay the same, or less".

What it means for you: four quick answersChecked 21 October 2026

Can I get full fibre?

Probably: 82% of UK homes can. Check your address to see which networks reach you.

Will it cost more?

Often not. Ofcom says many people can switch and "pay the same, or less".

Is switching a hassle?

Ofcom says it has made switching "quicker and easier", and One Touch Switch has been used by over 2 million customers.

Are people leaving part fibre?

Part-fibre lines fell by 2.6 million in 2025, while full fibre grew by 3.4 million.

Key facts, checked 21 October 2026

"42% of broadband connections were provided using full fibre at the end of 2025", 12.3 million lines, up 3.4 million in a year (Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026).
Part-fibre (FTTC) connections fell by 2.6 million in 2025 to 9.9 million, and copper ADSL lines fell by over a quarter to 1.3 million (Ofcom).
With 29.3 million UK broadband lines in total, full fibre is now the largest single type, by our reading of Ofcom's figures.
Full fibre is available to 24.9 million UK homes, 82%, as of January 2026, and gigabit-capable broadband to 89% (Ofcom, Connected Nations update: Spring 2026).
Take-up reached 12.4 million premises, 47% of those with access to full fibre, in January 2026, up from 42% in July 2025 (Ofcom).
Where full fibre has been available for at least three years, 55% have taken it; where it's been there a year or less, 14% (Ofcom, July 2025).
Openreach had a full fibre footprint of 23.4 million and 9.4 million premises connected, a 40% take-up rate, at 30 June 2026 (BT Group).
If all plans happen, Ofcom projects full fibre for 90% of homes by January 2028; counting only high-confidence plans, 87% (Ofcom).

Who this is for: Anyone still on part fibre or copper wondering whether to switch, people following how the UK's broadband is changing, and anyone who wants the latest Ofcom numbers in one place. For the full detail of Ofcom's spring data, see our 82% Country report.

Has full fibre really overtaken part fibre?

Direct answer: Yes, on Ofcom's end-2025 figures. There were 12.3 million full fibre lines in the UK against 9.9 million part-fibre (FTTC) lines, Ofcom's Communications Market Report shows. That makes full fibre 42% of all 29.3 million broadband connections, and the most common single type.

The crossover: full fibre overtook part fibre in 2025

Full fibre linesPart-fibre (FTTC) lines

8.9m

12.5m

12.3m

9.9m

End of 2024End of 2025

Source: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026. End-2025 figures are Ofcom's. End-2024 figures are our calculation from the changes Ofcom gives: full fibre up 3.4 million to 12.3 million, FTTC down 2.6 million to 9.9 million.

It happened fast. In 2025 alone, full fibre lines grew by 3.4 million while part-fibre lines fell by 2.6 million and copper ADSL lines fell by over a quarter, to 1.3 million. Ofcom doesn't publish a cable figure in the report, but everything that isn't full fibre, FTTC or ADSL comes to about 5.8 million lines, less than half the full fibre total.

All 29.3 million UK broadband lines, by type, end of 2025

12.3m (42%)
Full fibre

9.9m (34%)
Part fibre (FTTC)

5.8m (20%)
Cable and other (our sum)

1.3m (4%)
Copper (ADSL)

Source: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026, published 30 June 2026. Ofcom gives full fibre, FTTC, ADSL and the 29.3 million total; "cable and other" is what's left, by our sum. Shares are our calculation and are rounded. Even all of "cable and other" together is less than half the full fibre total, so full fibre is the biggest single type.

Ofcom's latest quarterly count puts total broadband lines at 29.5 million at the end of June 2026, but its market data update doesn't split 2026 lines by type, so the end-2025 figures are the latest like-for-like picture.

How many homes can get full fibre now?

Direct answer: 24.9 million, or 82% of UK homes, as of January 2026. That's up from 69% in July 2024, and gigabit-capable broadband reaches 89%.

Homes that can get full fibre

69%

78%

82%

90%

July 2024July 2025Jan 2026Jan 2028, if all plans happen

Sources: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025 (July 2024 and July 2025); Connected Nations update: Spring 2026 (January 2026); Planned network deployments 2026 (projection). The striped bar is a projection, not a measurement: counting only plans Ofcom rates as high confidence, it's 87%.

Ofcom also looks ahead. If every planned build happens, it projects full fibre for 90% of homes by January 2028, down from the 95% it projected a year earlier. Counting only the plans it rates as high confidence, the figure is 87%.

How many homes and businesses use full fibre?

Direct answer: 12.4 million premises had taken full fibre in January 2026, Ofcom says. That's 47% of all premises that could get it, up from 42% in July 2025 and 35% in 2024.

Two numbers that sound alike, but measure different things

42% of all broadband lines

Of all 29.3 million UK broadband lines at the end of 2025, 12.3 million were full fibre. This is the share of everything people use.

47% take-up where it's available

Of all premises that could get full fibre in January 2026, 12.4 million had taken it. This is the share of premises with access that have taken it.

Sources: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026; Ofcom, Connected Nations update: Spring 2026. Ofcom's take-up figure covers both homes and businesses.

Take-up: premises using full fibre, where it's available

35%

42%

47%

2024July 2025Jan 2026

Sources: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025 (2024: 7.5 million; July 2025: 10.6 million); Connected Nations update: Spring 2026 (January 2026: 12.4 million). Covers homes and businesses. This July 2025 take-up of 42% is a different measure from the 42% share of all lines.

One clear pattern: take-up is much higher where full fibre has been in a street for longer, and many streets have been upgraded only recently.

Take-up is higher where full fibre has been in the street longer

Full fibre available for one year or less

14%

Full fibre available for at least three years

55%

Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025, data July 2025.

Our guide to whether you should switch looks at the households that can get full fibre but haven't moved yet.

Where in the UK is full fibre most common?

Direct answer: Northern Ireland leads, with 95% of homes able to get full fibre and 62% take-up in July 2025. Scotland has the lowest availability of the four nations, at 71%, and England the lowest take-up, at 41%.

Full fibre by nation: who can get it, and who has taken it

Homes that can get itTake-up where available

Northern Ireland

95%

62%

Wales

78%

49%

England

79%

41%

Scotland

71%

43%

78%

42%

Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025, data July 2025 (tables 2.1 and 2.5). Ofcom's January 2026 update didn't publish a breakdown by nation on its summary page. Across the UK, take-up is higher in rural areas (56%) than urban areas (40%).

Who is building and connecting it?

Direct answer: Openreach is the biggest: in May, BT said its full fibre footprint covered "more than two thirds of all UK premises", and by the end of June 2026 it was 23.4 million, with 9.4 million premises connected. CityFibre had passed 4.8 million premises and made 1,108,000 connections by the end of September 2026 (unaudited figures).

Built and connected: Openreach and CityFibre

Premises passed (can get it)Premises connected

Openreachat 30 June 2026

9.4m of 23.4m40% take-up, BT's figure

CityFibreat 30 September 2026

1.1m of 4.8mconsumer penetration over 26%, CityFibre's figure

Sources: BT Group, results for the three months to 30 June 2026 (Openreach: footprint 23.4 million, 9.4 million premises connected, take-up 40%); CityFibre, 6 October 2026 (4.8 million premises passed, 1,108,000 cumulative connections; consumer penetration over 26% of a 4.2 million consumer footprint; unaudited). Each company measures in its own way, so the two aren't directly comparable: 1.1 million out of 4.8 million is 23%, while CityFibre's 26% compares consumer connections with its 4.2 million consumer ready-for-service footprint.

Openreach added a net 574,000 full fibre connections in the three months to June 2026, which BT called "Record customer demand". BT says Openreach is on track to build to 25 million premises by December 2026, and its next results are due on 5 November.

What's the difference between full fibre, part fibre and cable?

Direct answer: It's what the last stretch to your home is made of. Full fibre runs fibre all the way. Part fibre uses the old copper phone line from the street cabinet, and cable uses a coaxial cable for the last part.

Full fibre, part fibre, cable and copper: what reaches your home

ExchangeYour home

Full fibre (FTTP)

fibre

Fibre all the way from the exchange to your home.

Part fibre (FTTC)

fibre

copper phone line

Fibre to the green street cabinet, then the old copper phone line to your home.

Cable

fibre

coaxial cable

Fibre to a local point, then a coaxial TV-style cable to your home.

Copper (ADSL)

copper phone line

The old copper phone line all the way from the exchange.

A simplified picture. Our full fibre versus part fibre guide goes into more detail.

What do people get from full fibre?

Direct answer: Ofcom describes it as "faster, more reliable" broadband. Across all broadband, Ofcom says average maximum download speeds rose "almost 30%", from 223 Mbit/s in 2024 to 285 Mbit/s in 2025, and full fibre connections use more data, 738 GB a month on average.

Broadband is getting faster

223 Mbit/s

285 Mbit/s

Average max download, 2024Average max download, 2025

Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025: UK average maximum download speeds, all fixed broadband, 2024 and 2025.

Full fibre connections use more data each month

Average data used per connection, all broadband

583 GB

Average on full fibre connections

738 GB

Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025, data for July 2025. Among people moving to full fibre, "only 21%" chose packages of 900 Mbit/s or more.

You don't need the fastest package to make the move. Ofcom found only 21% of people moving to full fibre chose packages of 900 Mbit/s or more. Our is full fibre worth it guide helps you pick a speed that suits your home.

What happens next?

Direct answer: More build and more switching. Openreach aims to make full fibre available to 25 million premises by December 2026, the old PSTN phone network is due to close on 31 January 2027, and the government's target is gigabit-capable broadband for 99% of homes and businesses by 2032.

What happens next

5 Nov 2026

BT is due to publish its half-year results.

Dec 2026

BT says Openreach is "on track to achieve our 25m FTTP build target by December 2026".

31 Jan 2027

Openreach says "The PSTN platform will be closed" on this date.

Jan 2028

Ofcom projects full fibre for 87% to 90% of homes, depending on which build plans happen.

Jan 2029

Up to 28.1 million homes with full fibre, if all planned deployments are realised, Ofcom says.

2032

The government's target: gigabit-capable broadband for 99% of homes and businesses.

Sources: BT Group, 23 July 2026; Openreach, Exchange Exit programme page; Ofcom, Planned network deployments 2026; GOV.UK, Project Gigabit progress update, 22 September 2026. Projections and targets aren't guarantees.

Should I switch to full fibre?

Direct answer: If it reaches your home, it's worth comparing. Ofcom says many people can switch to full fibre and "pay the same, or less", and that it has made switching "quicker and easier".

Moving to full fibre in four steps

1. Check your address

See what you can get at your postcode.

→

2. Compare deals

Ofcom says many people can switch and "pay the same, or less".

→

3. Switch

One Touch Switch has been used by over 2 million customers.

→

4. Test your speed

Once you're live, run a free speed test to see the difference.

Source: Ofcom, New Ofcom research reveals how to cut phone and internet bills (updated 30 June 2026). Ofcom also found 28% of broadband customers are out of contract, and in-contract customers spend between £7 and £9 a month less on average.

Can you get full fibre? See the deals at your address

Put in your postcode to see the deals we can find for your home, sorted by price.

✓Every deal we can find for your address, cheapest first
✓Free and independent
✓Postcode only, nothing stored

Compare at my postcode →

Prefer to talk it through? Call 0330 122 1223

In summary

Full fibre overtook part fibre during 2025: 12.3 million lines against 9.9 million at the end of the year.
It can reach 82% of UK homes, and 47% of premises that can get it have taken it.
Take-up is 14% where full fibre has been available for a year or less, and 55% where it's been there for at least three years.
Openreach alone had 9.4 million premises connected by June 2026, and aims to make full fibre available to 25 million premises by December.
If you can get full fibre, compare deals: Ofcom says many people can switch and pay the same, or less.

Alex's closing thought

For years, full fibre was always coming soon. On Ofcom's end-2025 figures, it became the most common broadband line in the country, and that's a real milestone for everyone who's been waiting. The best part is that the choice is in your hands: if full fibre reaches your street, a few minutes comparing deals could get you a faster, more reliable line, often for no more than you pay now. We'll update this page when Ofcom and the networks publish their next figures.

Keep going: more on full fibre

Should you switch?

The data in depth

How it works

Cite this page

You are welcome to quote and link to this article. Please credit Ofcom for the national figures, BT Group and CityFibre for their own network figures, and BroadbandSwitch.uk for the charts and calculations, and link to this page.

Martin-Smith, A. J. (2026, October 21). Full fibre is taking over UK broadband: What Ofcom's latest numbers show. BroadbandSwitch.uk. https://broadbandswitch.uk/insights/full-fibre-overtakes-part-fibre-ofcom-2026/

In a sentence: On Ofcom's figures, full fibre became the UK's most common type of broadband line in 2025, with 12.3 million lines against 9.9 million part-fibre lines at the end of the year, and by January 2026 it could reach 82% of homes, with 47% of premises that could get it having taken it.

Frequently asked questions

Is full fibre now the most common type of broadband in the UK?

Yes, on Ofcom's end-2025 figures. Ofcom counted 12.3 million full fibre lines, 42% of all 29.3 million broadband connections, against 9.9 million part-fibre (FTTC) lines and 1.3 million copper (ADSL) lines. Cable and other lines come to about 5.8 million combined, by our sum.

How many UK homes can get full fibre?

24.9 million homes, 82%, as of January 2026, according to Ofcom. Gigabit-capable broadband reached 89%.

How many homes and businesses use full fibre?

Ofcom says 12.4 million premises had taken full fibre in January 2026. That's 47% of all premises that could get it, up from 42% in July 2025.

What's the difference between full fibre and part fibre?

Full fibre (FTTP) runs fibre all the way to your home. Part fibre (FTTC) runs fibre to the green street cabinet, then uses the old copper phone line for the last stretch.

Why haven't more people switched to full fibre?

Partly because it's new in many streets. Ofcom found take-up is 14% where full fibre has been available for a year or less, rising to 55% where it's been available for at least three years.

Is full fibre more expensive than part fibre?

Not necessarily. Ofcom says that in many cases people can switch to full fibre and "pay the same, or less" than they pay now.

How fast is UK broadband now?

Across all broadband, Ofcom says UK average maximum download speeds rose "almost 30%", from 223 Mbit/s in 2024 to 285 Mbit/s in 2025. Full fibre connections also use more data, 738 GB a month on average against 583 GB across all connections.

Which part of the UK has the most full fibre?

Northern Ireland. In July 2025, 95% of homes there could get full fibre and take-up was 62%, the highest of the four nations, according to Ofcom.

How many premises has Openreach connected to full fibre?

9.4 million premises at 30 June 2026, from a full fibre footprint of 23.4 million, a 40% take-up rate by BT's measure. Openreach aims to make full fibre available to 25 million premises by December 2026.

When does the old phone network close?

The old phone network is due to close. Openreach says "The PSTN platform will be closed on 31 January 2027". Our copper switch-off guide explains what it means for you.

Will full fibre reach every home?

Not on current plans. If all plans happen, Ofcom projects full fibre for 90% of homes by January 2028, or 87% counting only high-confidence plans. The government's target is gigabit-capable broadband for 99% of homes and businesses by 2032.

How do I switch to full fibre?

Check your address, compare deals and choose a provider. Ofcom says it has made switching "quicker and easier", and its One Touch Switch process, introduced in September 2024, has been used by over 2 million customers.

References

BT Group. (2026a, May 21). BT continues to deliver: Record fibre build, connections and customer satisfaction. Results for the full year to 31 March 2026 [Results release]. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt-plc/assets/documents/investors/financial-reporting-and-news/quarterly-results/fy26/h2/fy26-release.pdf
BT Group. (2026b, July 23). BT delivered a solid start to the year, with continued strategic momentum. Results for the three months to 30 June 2026 [Trading update]. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt-plc/assets/documents/investors/financial-reporting-and-news/quarterly-results/fy27/q1/q1-fy27-trading-update.pdf
Building Digital UK, & Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. (2026, September 22). Project Gigabit progress update: September 2026 [Policy paper]. GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-gigabit-progress-update-september-2026/project-gigabit-progress-update-september-2026
CityFibre. (2026, October 6). CityFibre delivering strong underlying performance as it moves to strengthen its capital structure and prepares for acquisition drive [Press release]. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-delivering-strong-underlying-performance-as-it-moves-to-strengthen-its-capital-structure-and-prepares-for-acquisition-drive-2
Ofcom. (2025, November 19). Connected Nations 2025: UK report. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/multi-sector/infrastructure-research/connected-nations-2025/connected-nations-uk-report-2025.pdf
Ofcom. (2026a, June 30). Communications Market Report 2026. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/multi-sector/cmr/cmr26/communications-market-report-2026.pdf
Ofcom. (2026b, May 13). Connected Nations: Planned network deployments 2026. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/connected-nations-planned-network-deployment/connected-nations-planned-network-deployments-2026
Ofcom. (2026c, May 13). Connected Nations update: Spring 2026. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/connected-nations-update-spring-2026
Ofcom. (2026d, June 30). New Ofcom research reveals how to cut phone and internet bills. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/bills-and-charges/new-ofcom-research-reveals-how-to-cut-phone-and-internet-bills
Ofcom. (2026e, October 14). Telecommunications market data update. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/telecoms-infrastructure/telecommunications-market-data-update
Openreach. (n.d.). Exchange Exit programme. Retrieved 21 October 2026, from https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/products/the-all-ip-programme/exchange-exit-programme

Written by Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith, Founder of BroadbandSwitch.uk (LinkedIn). Reviewed by Adrian James, Broadband Editor. Published 21 October 2026. On 21 October 2026 we read Ofcom's Communications Market Report 2026, Connected Nations 2025 UK report, Connected Nations update for Spring 2026, Planned network deployments 2026, telecoms market data update and research on cutting bills, BT Group's results for the year to March 2026 and the quarter to June 2026, CityFibre's October 2026 update, Openreach's Exchange Exit page and the government's Project Gigabit progress update. Shares, sums and end-2024 line numbers are our own calculations from Ofcom's published figures. This is general information, not professional advice. Corrections are logged publicly.

Full Fibre Overtakes Part Fibre: Ofcom's Latest Numbers

Full Fibre Is Taking Over UK Broadband: What Ofcom's Latest Numbers Show

Has full fibre really overtaken part fibre?

How many homes can get full fibre now?

How many homes and businesses use full fibre?

Where in the UK is full fibre most common?

Who is building and connecting it?

What's the difference between full fibre, part fibre and cable?

What do people get from full fibre?

What happens next?

Should I switch to full fibre?

Keep going: more on full fibre

Share this article

Cite this page

Frequently asked questions

Is full fibre now the most common type of broadband in the UK?

How many UK homes can get full fibre?

How many homes and businesses use full fibre?

What's the difference between full fibre and part fibre?

Why haven't more people switched to full fibre?

Is full fibre more expensive than part fibre?

How fast is UK broadband now?

Which part of the UK has the most full fibre?

How many premises has Openreach connected to full fibre?

When does the old phone network close?

Will full fibre reach every home?

How do I switch to full fibre?

References

More on full fibre and networks