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Broadband & Connectivity Methodology
We report broadband availability and speed using Ofcom's Connected Nations dataset, supplemented with mobile network coverage predictions.
Data Sources
- Ofcom Connected Nations — Fixed broadband availability and speed predictions by premises
- Mobile Network Operators — 4G/5G coverage predictions from EE, Vodafone, O2, Three
- Gigabit-Ready Programme — Gigabit-capable infrastructure rollout by local authority
- Update Frequency — Ofcom updated annually; mobile data updated quarterly
Broadband Speed Tiers
Ofcom classifies premises by predicted download speed:
| Classification | Speed |
|---|---|
| Superfast Broadband | ≥30 Mbps |
| Ultrafast Broadband | ≥300 Mbps |
| Gigabit-Ready | ≥1,000 Mbps |
Calculation Method
- Locate postcode — Identify the postcode's centroid
- Query Ofcom database — Retrieve predicted download speed and availability
- Check mobile coverage — Determine 4G/5G availability from operator networks
- Assign to tier — Classify as Superfast, Ultrafast, Gigabit, or Partial Coverage
- Note limitations — Flag postcodes where availability is uncertain or satellite-only
Key Metrics Explained
- Predicted Download Speed — Ofcom's modeled maximum speed, not actual speeds delivered
- Availability — Percentage of premises in the postcode with access to each technology
- Mobile Coverage — Predicted 4G/5G signal strength (not actual measured coverage)
- Gigabit Ready — Infrastructure planned or deployed as part of government gigabit rollout
Limitations
- Predictions, Not Measurements — Ofcom's data is modeled based on geography and infrastructure. Actual speeds depend on network congestion, distance from exchange, and service provider.
- Postcode-Level Variation — Broadband speeds vary within postcodes; we report average predictions only
- Technology Mix Unknown — We don't specify copper vs. fiber vs. wireless; infrastructure type affects reliability
- Lag in Updates — Data published annually; new fiber rollouts take 1–2 years to reflect
- Satellite as Fallback — Some postcodes rely on satellite (e.g., Starlink); speeds/latency differ from fixed broadband
Broadband Scorecard Interpretation
Postcodewise assigns a Broadband score 0–10 based on speed tier:
- 9–10: Gigabit-ready or ultrafast ≥300 Mbps
- 7–8: Superfast ≥30 Mbps
- 5–6: Standard broadband 10–30 Mbps
- 1–4: Slow or partial coverage <10 Mbps or satellite-only
Data Attribution
Contains data from Ofcom Connected Nations, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.