A new map has been released that helps to show the areas of London that are being impacted by slow internet speeds, so residents can see if their home or business is being affected.
How do slow speeds impact residents of London?
Slow speeds can have a monumental impact on residents of London. Netflix and Amazon streaming services recommend that you have a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps, but according to the report, some areas are not accessing 30Mbit/s of service, putting them just above the minimum threshold required. Not only does this lead to buffering, but it also reduces streaming quality. Other popular online entertainment options, like gaming, can also be impacted by low speeds.
Some simple online games, like chess and solitaire, can often be played with low bandwidth. In verticals like iGaming, slot games also don’t take a lot of bandwidth either, including bonus games, like Betfair Prize Pinball, which offers free spins and prizes to registered users, which can be played with a slow connection. This is due to the simplicity of the format and the fact that it’s optimised for mobile players who may return daily to play, to be in with a chance of winning.
With that said, if you like to play intensive RPGs or games that connect you with other players, you may struggle to stay connected, and the animations aren’t as fluid as they could be if your speeds don’t meet the minimum threshold.
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Laura Timm, who is the representative of the Federation of Small Businesses, has said that it’s not whole areas that are affected, and sometimes, internet speeds can drop by even just walking across the street. Businesses have also come out to say that they can get a superfast connection across the street, but at their own premises, they can’t, which is affecting things like Zoom calls and online meetings.
An interactive internet map has been released
London’s City Hall has chosen to release an interactive map that you can use to see the dead spots of London, where locals are struggling with the internet the most. A lot of work is being done right now to roll out fibre internet across London and to ensure that everyone is connected. Although full areas are now being covered, some streets in particular are not feeling the full impact quite yet.
Studies show that 66.7% of London has access to fibre right now, but in some boroughs, including Enfield, only 31.6% of residents have full fibre. This is backed up by the Enfield Dispatch website. Smaller areas of the city are struggling to get 30Mb/s as well. This is notable in parts of Upminster. Free Wi-Fi is helping to curb this, but at the same time, it shows that more has to be done to try and balance internet access in London. With that said, it’s only a matter of time before these dead spots are resolved, especially with the latest government initiatives that are being rolled out. On the 20th of September 2025, it was announced that the UK has a Gigabit availability rate of 88.71%, with full fibre available at over 79.97% of premises. If things keep rolling out at this pace, we should see numbers improve by the end of 2026.
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