Edinburgh Broadband Statistics
Edinburgh has the best fibre access out of all major cities in Scotland, and is among the top 100 best major cities in terms of fibre access across the UK as a whole. Our analysis of Ofcom coverage data shows that Gigabit fibre is available to 88% of residents. UltraFast 300+ Mbps is available to 89% of residents, while SuperFast 30+ Mbps broadband is available to 98% of Edinburgh's households.
Over the past year, we’ve recorded a 38 Mbps median internet speed in Edinburgh, which is 3.20% above the United Kingdom national median of 37 Mbps.
Edinburgh increased access to Gigabit speeds by 53 percentage points in the past year. The buildout rate is also better than neighbouring major cities like Aberdeen (gained 28 percentate points). In addition, real-world speed test data shows that Edinburgh is dramatically outperformed by West End (80% faster) and York Place (71% faster), and is significantly faster than Newington (23% slower).
Local broadband speeds over time
The median broadband speed in Edinburgh has increased by 80% over the last five years.
Local broadband speeds in context
As of 2022, the median broadband speed in Edinburgh is 9.34% higher than the Scotland and 3.10% higher than the UK overall.
| Edinburgh | 38 Mbps | |
| Scotland | 34 Mbps | |
| United Kingdom | 37 Mbps |
Edinburgh 2022 Broadband Scorecard
▲ First place fibre access
Major Cities, Scotland
▲ 9.34% above regional broadband speed
Scotland
▲ 3.10% above national broadband speed
UK Overall
Searching for providers...
Broadband Providers
Overall Performance
We rank each provider relative to all providers in The United Kingdom based on their median download and upload speeds, measured round trip time latencies, and the percentage of speeds tests that exceed 50 Mbps.
Customer Ratings
Customer ratings are based on local reviews matched to Edinburgh IP addresses. Providers can be scored on a range of 1 to 10, and ranked relative to all providers in The United Kingdom.
Median Speed Test Result
The median is the middle result in the range of tests we measured for each provider in Edinburgh in the past year. Median speeds provide a better comparison than raw averages because they control for the longtail of tests related to Wi-Fi issues. The charts below represent the distribution of tests associated with each provider from low to high.
View Local Plans
Enter a postcode to check for fibre deals in your area.
Are you researching this topic? Please contact our team with any questions. We offer free consultation on basic requests.
This content is licensed CC BY-ND 4.0. When referencing or citing FairInternetReport data and content on third-party sites, please link your attribution to the source page on fairinternetreport.com.
Broadband Network Infrastructure in Edinburgh
Are you looking for research assistance?
Contact Fair Internet Report for insights about broadband in Edinburgh and the UK. We'll connect you with an expert on our team who can answer questions and support your work.
Questions and Requests
Ofcom Fibre Access Analysis for Edinburgh
See the chart below for annual reporting on fibre build rates in the Edinburgh area. Availability is based on population in postcodes marked as served by Ofcom Connected Nations reports, according to the most recent census.
| 1,000+ Mbps | 300+ Mbps | 30+ Mbps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87.98% | 88.83% | 98.19% |
| 2020 | 34.53% | 86.94% | 98.18% |
| 2019 | 14.87% | 78.14% | 98.64% |
| 2018 | 2.13% | 74.41% | 98.24% |
| 2017 | 0.97% | 73.29% | 94.68% |
| 2016 | 0.00% | 0.19% | 91.78% |
Gigabit Availability
87.98%
of people living in Edinburgh can obtain to 1,000+ Mbps broadband speeds
Ultrafast Speeds
88.83%
of Edinburgh residents can get 300+ Mbps internet service
Superfast 30+ Mbps Broadband
98.19%
availability in Edinburgh
Poor Broadband Speeds
1.79%
of Edinburgh is limited to broadband speeds under 30 Mbps
Edinburgh Broadband Speeds Report
Average Broadband Speeds in Edinburgh
| Year | Edinburgh Average | United Kingdom Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 27.52 Mbps | 26.27 Mbps | 4.76% Faster |
| 2019 | 33.22 Mbps | 30.63 Mbps | 8.46% Faster |
| 2020 | 97.81 Mbps | 80.31 Mbps | 21.79% Faster |
| 2021 | 76.43 Mbps | 66.05 Mbps | 15.72% Faster |
Edinburgh Broadband Speed Distribution
| Percentage of Speed Tests in Speed Range | ||
|---|---|---|
| Internet Speed Range | Edinburgh | United Kingdom |
| Very Slow: under 10 Mbps | 23.32% | 19.92% |
| Slow: 10-30 Mbps | 24.34% | 25.74% |
| Adequate: 30-60 Mbps | 19.94% | 25.20% |
| Good: 60-80 Mbps | 7.43% | 10.20% |
| Fast: 80-300 Mbps | 19.29% | 15.33% |
| Very Fast: over 300 Mbps | 5.69% | 3.60% |
How Edinburgh Compares to Major Cities
| City / Town | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range | Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London | 5794.21 Mbps | 33.02—95.86 Mbps | 45.54 Mbps | Faster |
| Birmingham | 941.32 Mbps | 29.29—107 Mbps | 38.47 Mbps | Faster |
| Bristol | 943.13 Mbps | 30.35—109.9 Mbps | 42.28 Mbps | Faster |
| Edinburgh | 874.24 Mbps | 29.96—107.47 Mbps | 38.02 Mbps | - |
| Liverpool | 1134.53 Mbps | 25.52—89.6 Mbps | 34.58 Mbps | Slower |
| Nottingham | 2371.49 Mbps | 16.2—40.46 Mbps | 19.1 Mbps | Slower |
| Sheffield | 932.42 Mbps | 23.73—68.81 Mbps | 32.06 Mbps | Slower |
| Glasgow | 913.93 Mbps | 20.58—71.34 Mbps | 32 Mbps | Slower |
| Leicester | 935.89 Mbps | 27.45—99.24 Mbps | 37 Mbps | Slower |
Cities and Provider Internet Speeds in Edinburgh
| Position | City | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range | Median | # Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colinton | 802.57 Mbps | 69.86—361.74 Mbps | 107.32 Mbps | 9 |
| 2 | York Place | 693.96 Mbps | 37.2—489.3 Mbps | 65.16 Mbps | 3 |
| 3 | Kirkliston | 465.54 Mbps | 48.77—70.3 Mbps | 62.9 Mbps | 6 |
| 4 | Gogar | 931.98 Mbps | 36.64—126.24 Mbps | 49.85 Mbps | 1 |
| 5 | Gorgie | 916.79 Mbps | 32.77—109.1 Mbps | 44.97 Mbps | 8 |
| 6 | Fairmilehead | 902.12 Mbps | 32.05—95.63 Mbps | 42.91 Mbps | 8 |
| 7 | Liberton | 792.76 Mbps | 32.78—100.5 Mbps | 42.63 Mbps | 9 |
| 8 | Corstorphine | 918.18 Mbps | 31.36—92.02 Mbps | 42.44 Mbps | 9 |
| 9 | Edinburgh | 874.24 Mbps | 29.96—107.47 Mbps | 38.02 Mbps | 13 |
| 10 | Gilmerton | 743.35 Mbps | 27.54—87.28 Mbps | 37.42 Mbps | 7 |
| 11 | Balerno | 930.86 Mbps | 30.05—69.62 Mbps | 37.39 Mbps | 9 |
| 12 | Drylaw | 919.68 Mbps | 29.16—89.73 Mbps | 36.52 Mbps | 8 |
| 13 | Granton | 913.87 Mbps | 24.73—82.51 Mbps | 33.87 Mbps | 9 |
| 14 | Duddingston | 910.63 Mbps | 22.23—68.91 Mbps | 30.83 Mbps | 9 |
| 15 | Newington | 687.89 Mbps | 23.37—63.7 Mbps | 30.81 Mbps | 9 |
| 16 | Newbridge | 349.58 Mbps | 22.81—44.84 Mbps | 24.16 Mbps | 5 |
Edinburgh Broadband Speeds Over Time
We class broadband speed distributions as follows: very slow under 10 Mbps; slow 10-30 Mbps; adequate 30-60 Mbps; good 60-80 Mbps; fast 80-300 Mbps; very fast over 300 Mbps.
How Edinburgh Compares for Internet Speed in Edinburgh
| Position | City / Town | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range | Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Liberton | 792.76 Mbps | 32.78—100.5 Mbps | 42.63 Mbps | Faster |
| 9 | Corstorphine | 918.18 Mbps | 31.36—92.02 Mbps | 42.44 Mbps | Faster |
| 10 | Edinburgh | 874.24 Mbps | 29.96—107.47 Mbps | 38.02 Mbps | - |
| 11 | Gilmerton | 743.35 Mbps | 27.54—87.28 Mbps | 37.42 Mbps | Slower |
| 12 | Balerno | 930.86 Mbps | 30.05—69.62 Mbps | 37.39 Mbps | Slower |
Edinburgh Internet Speed Test Results
We analysed the results of people in Edinburgh testing broadband providers multiple times, with each test starting no more than 30 minutes after the previous speed test. On average, people in Edinburgh ran 4 internet speed tests per session. Looking at broadband download speeds, if the Edinburgh resident's final test is 10% faster than their starting download speed, we count that as a succesful and faster speed test result. We count an unsuccessful, slower result if the final result is 10% slower than the starting result; we'd hope their ISP contacts them ASAP! For broadband speed tests that don't vary by that much, we consider the final result to be the same. For Edinburgh's residents, of the internet speed tests we measured, 39.38% were fast, 27.41% slow, and 33.22% broadly the same.
Most Recent Tests
| Provider | Start Time | # Tests | Duration | Start Speed | End Speed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 23:39:08 | 4 | 9 mins | 0.1 Mbps | 0.09 Mbps | Needs help, very slow |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 23:40:46 | 2 | 27 secs | 94.15 Mbps | 321 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 22:21:33 | 2 | 15 mins | 198.3 Mbps | 104.92 Mbps | Needs help |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 21:20:55 | 9 | 30 mins | 2.97 Mbps | 12.77 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 21:23:46 | 10 | 4 mins | 164.8 Mbps | 191.35 Mbps | Improved |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 19:33:28 | 2 | 105 secs | 21.06 Mbps | 21.08 Mbps | |
| Plusnet | 18 Jan 2022 19:20:18 | 2 | 27 secs | 12.02 Mbps | 34.35 Mbps | Improved |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 19:07:50 | 3 | 4 mins | 36.75 Mbps | 35.7 Mbps | |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 19:04:43 | 2 | 32 secs | 27.07 Mbps | 17.73 Mbps | Needs help |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 18:03:04 | 3 | 2 mins | 25.22 Mbps | 41.19 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 17:46:08 | 2 | 4 mins | 18.72 Mbps | 24.68 Mbps | Improved |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 17:41:49 | 2 | 5 mins | 139.97 Mbps | 129.54 Mbps | |
| EE | 18 Jan 2022 17:06:14 | 2 | 21 mins | 266.88 Mbps | 250.55 Mbps | |
| Plusnet | 18 Jan 2022 17:18:44 | 5 | 7 mins | 12.45 Mbps | 1.81 Mbps | Needs help, very slow |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 17:05:30 | 2 | 53 secs | 31.18 Mbps | 108.1 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 16:41:55 | 2 | 17 mins | 24.91 Mbps | 35.53 Mbps | Improved |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 16:39:06 | 9 | 8 mins | 31.62 Mbps | 108.05 Mbps | Improved |
| Hyperoptic | 18 Jan 2022 16:06:48 | 2 | 27 secs | 354.22 Mbps | 347.66 Mbps | |
| TalkTalk | 18 Jan 2022 15:55:26 | 2 | 11 secs | 56.28 Mbps | 57.19 Mbps | |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 15:22:26 | 13 | 32 mins | 214.37 Mbps | 87.17 Mbps | Needs help |
Summary of Internet Service Providers in Edinburgh
| # | Provider Name | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyperoptic | 874.24 Mbps | 73.54—190.62 Mbps |
| 2 | Virgin Media | 705.74 Mbps | 52.38—207.02 Mbps |
| 3 | BT | 835.04 Mbps | 38.02—62.15 Mbps |
| 4 | EE | 551.21 Mbps | 13.51—61.69 Mbps |
| 5 | Glide | 198.53 Mbps | 3.58—85.19 Mbps |
| 6 | Zen Internet | 153.33 Mbps | 15.64—97.43 Mbps |
| 7 | CCS Leeds | 96.71 Mbps | 27.69—60.59 Mbps |
| 8 | Sky Broadband | 517.18 Mbps | 16.84—55.42 Mbps |
| 9 | Vodafone | 352.35 Mbps | 24.72—51.55 Mbps |
| 10 | TalkTalk | 644.93 Mbps | 19.16—47.37 Mbps |
| 11 | iDNET | 150.22 Mbps | 5.45—44.19 Mbps |
| 12 | Plusnet | 74.04 Mbps | 12.64—35.25 Mbps |
| 13 | Shell Energy | 71.14 Mbps | 6.39—26.72 Mbps |
Frequently Asked Questions about Internet Providers in Edinburgh
How many broadband providers in Edinburgh are there?
Edinburgh has 13 ISPs tested by its 464,990 residents.
Who is the fastest broadband provider in Edinburgh?
Hyperoptic is the fastest broadband provider in Edinburgh with 874.24 Mbps, and an average internet speed range of 73.54—190.62 Mbps.
Who is the best internet provider in Edinburgh?
The best internet provider in Edinburgh is Hyperoptic, and their users typically see broadband speeds in the range of 73.54 to 190.62 Mbps.
What is the average internet speed in Edinburgh?
Users in Edinburgh see an average internet speed of 29.96 up to 457 Mbps, and the fastest speed we've seen is 874.24 Mbps.
Is Virgin Media available in Edinburgh?
Broadband service from Virgin Media is available in Edinburgh, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 705.74 Mbps.
Is TalkTalk available in Edinburgh?
Broadband service from TalkTalk is available in Edinburgh, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 644.93 Mbps.
Is Plusnet available in Edinburgh?
Broadband service from Plusnet is available in Edinburgh, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 74.04 Mbps.
Is BT full fibre available in Edinburgh?
No, BT does not have full fibre to the home (also called FTTH or FTTP) in Edinburgh.
Who is the most popular broadband provider in Edinburgh?
The broadband provider with the most users in Edinburgh is Virgin Media.
Author: Thomas Buck
Last Reviewed By: Tyler Cooper
Published: 10 Nov 2019
Last Updated: 18 Jan 2022