​​Internet Facts in Scotland 2025 – Improvements,Ranks, and Solutions

The Scottish government has been working on improving internet access. Broadband and access to fast internet are no longer negotiable. The quality of the connection determines productivity at work and school, and how far private consumers can take their digital entertainment. An Ofcom analysis predicts that by 2025, there will be fewer regions suffering from inadequate broadband reception. Nevertheless, the quality of the connection varies quite substantially from region to region.

Online services are becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life. Fast download speeds and low latency are essential for productive workflows, high-resolution graphics, and online entertainment. While companies are usually willing to pay a fair amount to secure the fastest internet from the best provider and thus a smooth workflow, some private households tend to miss out. User complaints illustrate the situation: Hobby streamers and casino gamblers, whose performance depends on live updates, are calling for faster internet solutions. The best casinos not on gamstop, which accept Gamstop players, may have features such as licenses and flexible payment options, but without internet, even the best game variety is useless.

The Scottish government’s efforts to respond to the demand for better internet are paying off. Data analysis by Ofcom shows that by January 2025, 86% of households in the UK will have access to gigabit-capable broadband. In the Orkney Islands, gigabit-capable broadband coverage is set to improve from 1% in 2021 to 18% in 2025. High-speed access has also improved significantly, with between 78% and 99% of island communities having access by 2025. In addition, the proportion of residents with no or limited broadband access is falling significantly. According to a survey, the majority of islanders agree that their internet connection is reliable and fast enough to meet their online needs.

With a download speed of 218 Mbps, North Lanarkshire is currently the region in Scotland with the fastest broadband. Other parts of Scotland have an average download speed of only 63 Mbps, while the UK average is 75 Mbps. North Lanarkshire, therefore, significantly outperforms the national average of the UK. According to the Fair Internet Report 2025, the average speed across all tests is around 234 Mbps, with 23% of measurements even reaching more than 300 Mbps. These measurements can be attributed to the three most popular internet providers: Virgin Media, BT, and Plusnet. However, Virgin Media leads in terms of both user satisfaction and speed, often recording download speeds in excess of 300 Mbps.

Paisley itself paints a mixed picture. According to another report by Fair Internet, Paisley lags significantly behind North Lanarkshire, with a typical broadband download speed of 71 Mbps and an average speed of 142 Mbps. Nevertheless, the report shows that 99.29% of households have access to broadband connections with at least 30 Mbps. This means that there is almost universal basic coverage. In addition, 94.88% of connections already have gigabit-capable lines or high-speed internet from 300 Mbps, with around 12% of connections tested reaching 300 Mbps. Paisley is therefore one of Scotland’s best-equipped regions in terms of internet coverage.

Such differences arise from the availability of fibre optics, full fibre, and options. These are already widespread in many regions and provide the basis for future improvements. However, in some neighbourhoods where buildings are old and connections are lacking, these internet solutions can only be used to a limited extent.

In order to accelerate the improvement in internet capabilities, future funding programs must be geared toward prioritizing underserved areas. Additionally, planning and permitting processes of fibre and infrastructure projects must be sped up, as they are currently hindering progress. Citizens can also contribute to faster improvements by testing their internet speed at home or at work at different times of the day using reliable speed test tools. The results of these tests can then be submitted and can help the government and providers identify areas where improvements are needed the most.