The New Utility
Broadband used to be a nice-to-have. Now it's as fundamental as plumbing. If you work from home even part of the week — and most office workers do — the speed and reliability of your internet connection directly affects your livelihood.
Yet most people check broadband speeds after they've already bought a property. That's like checking whether the boiler works after you've exchanged contracts.
What the Numbers Mean
Superfast (30-100 Mbps): Fine for a couple streaming Netflix and doing video calls simultaneously. This covers most people's needs.
Ultrafast (100-1000 Mbps): Necessary if you're running video calls while uploading large files, or if you have teenagers who game while you work. Available in most urban postcodes.
Full fibre (FTTP): The gold standard. Symmetric speeds (same upload as download), no sharing with neighbours, rock-solid reliability. Not available everywhere — check by postcode.
The Rural Penalty
This is where it gets uncomfortable. Move 10 miles outside a city and your broadband options can drop from ultrafast to barely functional. Some rural postcodes in Wales, Cornwall, and the Scottish Highlands still average under 10 Mbps.
If you're considering a rural move for the lifestyle, check broadband first. A stunning farmhouse with 5 Mbps download is effectively unusable for remote work.
How We Report It
Our area reports show the average broadband speeds for each postcode, including:
This data comes from Ofcom's Connected Nations report, which aggregates real speed test data from ISPs. It's the most reliable source available.
The Property Value Connection
Research by Rightmove found that access to ultrafast broadband adds an average of £3,500 to property values. In areas where the alternative is slow ADSL, the premium for a property with full fibre can be much higher.
For investors, broadband availability also affects rental demand. Young professionals and remote workers won't rent a property with poor internet, regardless of how nice it is otherwise.
Check Before You Commit
Our free area reports include broadband data for every UK postcode. If you're buying, this should be on your checklist alongside schools, crime, and transport — not an afterthought.