Millions of Brits are becoming increasingly reliant on remaining connected and mobile. Analysing data such as nationwide internet speed and mobile data coverage, PowWowNow reveals where the UK’s most digitally reliant Brits should head to for the best connections – and where they should avoid.
London is the UK’s most connected city, but half a million Londoners still left behind
London is officially the UK’s best digitally connected city, followed by Bristol and Cardiff. Whilst the global hub for international business scored 8.5 out of 10 in our digital connection index, still more than 400,000 Londoners receive no 4G coverage indoors.
Cornwall is the UK’s most unconnected county with 40% of residents unable to receive 4G coverage indoors Notably, the cities of Coventry, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Leicester all represent the Midlands in the UK’s top 10 most connected cities while, heading further north, only Liverpool and Glasgow rank among the 10 best cities for remaining online.
The southern coastal county only supports 4G coverage across 60% of its homes and has an astonishing internet speed score of 6.2 out of 10. Yet despite this, the county ranks first on the list for full fibre availability in the UK, suggesting a wide disparity for connectivity overall.
The north dominates 4G connectivity reaching 90% of homes
Despite London topping the list, northern cities take the lead when it comes to finding great 4G connections. Bristol is the only southern city outside of the capital to offer connectivity at more than 90% of premises, whereas Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool all represent the north in offering 4G coverage at 90% or more homes.
Cardiff is the best city for internet speed with a download speed of 61MBps
Surprisingly London isn’t the best place for a quick connection. In fact, Cardiff has the fastest internet with a speed score of 9.6 out of 10, while Nottingham, Bristol, Wigan and Edinburgh are the only other cities with a score of nine or more.
Southwark is London’s best borough for connectivity, with 45% of homes receiving fibre optic broadband Manchester has the lowest speed score in the North West, behind Wigan and Liverpool, while Leeds has the quickest internet connection in Yorkshire. Nottingham, Dudley, Leicester, and Birmingham all occupy a spot in the top 10 cities for internet speed, suggesting the Midlands is a hotspot for quick internet.
Despite being among the main financial districts in the city, the City of London and Westminster are among the worst for connectivity, overall. However, the two underperforming locales are both in the top five areas of London for full fibre availability, joined by Tower Hamlets, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Southwark. Within London, Southwark in the centre is the best connected borough, with Bromley in south London proving to be the least connected.
For the best 4G connection in London head to the centre of the city, with each of the central boroughs all offering 99% coverage, or better. Hammersmith and Fulham is the only borough outside the centre to offer full 4G coverage, with the City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Islington, and Westminster all offering 100% coverage, too.
Richmond upon Thames ranks best for internet speed in London with a speed score of 9.9
Jason Downes, MD of www.powwownow.co.uk said, For the quickest internet in London head over to Richmond upon Thames, which has an impressive connection speed score of 9.9. Notably the business districts of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Westminster and City of London all register the worst internet speeds across the entire capital, each with an index score below 7. Similarly, the boroughs of Westminster and the City of London all offer 100% 4G coverage but rank as the two poorest areas in the country for internet speed.
“Businesses across the UK are becoming increasingly reliant on remaining connected, with great internet connectivity being the driver of productivity. The cities falling behind on internet connectivity risk jeopardising their attraction for businesses looking to remain competitive in our digitally reliant society.
“With the growth of remote working rising too, it’s essential cities across the UK are aware of the digital gaps they present when trying to attract the UK’s savviest digital professionals”
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