Ofcom finds fibre broadband take-up is low at 4%

Fibre optic broadband availability in the UK compares well with other European nations but take-up is still relatively low, according to Ofcom.

The regulator's latest International Communications Market report revealed super-fast broadband networks from BT and Virgin Media currently reach 59 per cent of households across the country.

However, despite the prevalence of fibre broadband infrastructure, only four per cent of homes have opted to subscribe to one of these packages.

While uptake is also low in Germany, Spain and Italy at three per cent, 2.2 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively, the rate is far higher in the US (ten per cent) and Japan (40 per cent), Ofcom discovered.

Regardless of this result, Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards insisted: "Our research shows that the UK communications market is performing well."

Virgin Media reported record growth for its super-fast broadband packages in the third quarter of 2011, with 54 per cent of new customers choosing speeds of up to 30Mbps or higher.