The "sweet spot" for most families. Allows multiple people to stream, game, and take video calls simultaneously.
What is the average internet speed in the UK? - Virgin Media
Fine for basic browsing and one person streaming HD video. average upload and download speed uk
Copper-based ADSL is being phased out. Over 69% of premises now have access to full fibre, which offers significantly higher reliability and symmetrical upload/download potential.
As of mid-2026, the average internet speed in the UK has undergone a massive transformation. Thanks to the rapid rollout of full-fibre (FTTP) and 5G networks, the "decent" broadband once defined as 10 Mbps is now a distant memory for most households. The "sweet spot" for most families
(Data compiled from reports by Opensignal and SpeedGEO for late 2025/early 2026.)
While "average" can vary depending on whether you measure the (the middle user) or the mean (skewed by ultra-fast connections), recent data paints a clear picture of growth: Average Download Speed: Between 162 Mbps and 223 Mbps . Average Upload Speed: Approximately 51 Mbps to 72 Mbps . - Virgin Media Fine for basic browsing and
Northern Ireland remains the UK leader, with 96% full-fibre availability and average speeds around 132 Mbps .