By Emma Lewis, bOnline
Canterbury has been named the UK’s slowest city for broadband for the second consecutive year in Broadband Genie’s Slickest Cities index with broadband speeds of just 22Mb. Over 149,000 home speeds were tested across 71 cities.
Despite being one of the most expensive places in the UK to live in, the city currently lacks the otherwise widely available Virgin Media and almost a third (30%) of premises don’t have access to full fibre broadband.
Conversely, Lichfield has been crowned the slickest city, with a weighted broadband speed of 359Mb. Surprisingly London has trailed behind more than expected with a mediocre 38th place and broadband speeds of 57Mb on average.
Which Area Has The Slowest Broadband Speeds in The UK?
Which Area Has The Fastest Broadband Speeds in The UK?
Full fibre broadband is currently accessible by 68% of the UK with the Government planning to reach 85% by next year. As for UK capitals, Edinburgh (12th) has the broadband bragging rights. Previously held by Belfast, which drops to (15th), the Scottish capital recorded weighted broadband speeds of 78Mb; only a fraction ahead of the Northern Irish city (76Mb), 26% faster than London (57Mb) and 36% more than Cardiff (50Mb).
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Why Does Broadband Speed Matter For Small Businesses?
Broadband speed is incredibly important for the smooth running of small businesses in particular. There are so many business functions that rely on a good internet connection: making video calls, sending emails, managing online orders and even using cloud-based tools.
If your internet is not fast enough, all of these tasks become slow and cumbersome, not to mention very frustrating. After all, no one wants to be waiting around for a file to download or a website to fire up, especially when you’re trying to attract new customers or simply get your work done. Faster internet means you can keep your business moving along without those annoying interruptions.
Also, faster broadband is ideal when using VoIP digital phone systems. A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system is a way of making phone calls over the internet instead of using normal copper phone lines. It transmits your voice in digital ‘packets’ over the internet instead, meaning you can make and receive calls from anywhere you can get an internet connection (Wifi, 4G or 5G).
VoIP is particularly popular because it’s usually more cost-effective and flexible than traditional phone services, with features like call forwarding, voicemail, access to call analytics, hold music and video conferencing, all via the internet. It also protects you from the landline shutdown coming at the end of 2026.
Want to know how your broadband compares? Run a speed test now to find out