Middlesbrough Broadband Statistics
Middlesbrough has the second-best fibre access out of all major towns in the North East, and is among the 50 worst-off major towns in terms of fibre access across the UK as a whole. Our analysis of Ofcom coverage data shows that Gigabit fibre is available to only 2.06% of residents. UltraFast 300+ Mbps is available to 96% of residents, while SuperFast 30+ Mbps broadband is available to 99% of Middlesbrough's households.
Poor broadband infrastructure results in low speed test averages in Middlesbrough postcodes like TS5, TS3, TS1, TS4, and TS8. Over the past year, we’ve recorded a 36.09 Mbps median internet speed in Middlesbrough, which is 2.04% below the United Kingdom national median of 37 Mbps.
Middlesbrough increased access to Gigabit speeds by 1.68 percentage points in the past year. The buildout rate is also better than neighbouring major towns like South Shields (gained 0.47 percentate points), Darlington (gained 0.38 percentate points), and Redcar (lost 0.06 percentage points). In addition, real-world speed test data shows that Middlesbrough is marginally faster than Nunthorpe (4.67% slower).
Local broadband speeds over time
The median broadband speed in Middlesbrough has increased by 78% over the last five years.
Local broadband speeds in context
As of 2022, the median broadband speed in Middlesbrough is 3.38% higher than the North East and 2.08% lower than the UK overall.
| Middlesbrough | 36 Mbps | |
| North East | 35 Mbps | |
| United Kingdom | 37 Mbps |
Middlesbrough 2022 Broadband Scorecard
▲ 2nd highest fibre access
Major Towns, North East
▲ 3.38% above regional broadband speed
North East
▼ 2.08% below national broadband speed
UK Overall
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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 Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough 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.
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Broadband Network Infrastructure in Middlesbrough
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Ofcom Fibre Access Analysis for Middlesbrough
See the chart below for annual reporting on fibre build rates in the Middlesbrough 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 | 2.06% | 95.82% | 98.84% |
| 2020 | 0.38% | 95.21% | 98.83% |
| 2019 | 0.02% | 96.06% | 98.80% |
| 2018 | 0.00% | 89.02% | 98.56% |
| 2017 | 0.00% | 89.36% | 96.62% |
| 2016 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 95.88% |
Map of Middlesbrough's Fibre Broadband Availability by Postcode
Gigabit Availability
2.06%
of people living in Middlesbrough can obtain to 1,000+ Mbps broadband speeds
Ultrafast Speeds
95.82%
of Middlesbrough residents can get 300+ Mbps internet service
Superfast 30+ Mbps Broadband
98.84%
availability in Middlesbrough
Poor Broadband Speeds
1.12%
of Middlesbrough is limited to broadband speeds under 30 Mbps
Middlesbrough Broadband Speeds Report
Average Broadband Speeds in Middlesbrough
| Year | Middlesbrough Average | United Kingdom Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21.43 Mbps | 26.27 Mbps | 18.42% Slower |
| 2019 | 30.11 Mbps | 30.63 Mbps | 1.70% Slower |
| 2020 | 86.8 Mbps | 80.31 Mbps | 8.08% Faster |
| 2021 | 72.52 Mbps | 66.05 Mbps | 9.80% Faster |
Middlesbrough Broadband Speed Distribution
| Percentage of Speed Tests in Speed Range | ||
|---|---|---|
| Internet Speed Range | Middlesbrough | United Kingdom |
| Very Slow: under 10 Mbps | 23.06% | 19.92% |
| Slow: 10-30 Mbps | 21.84% | 25.74% |
| Adequate: 30-60 Mbps | 19.77% | 25.20% |
| Good: 60-80 Mbps | 7.71% | 10.20% |
| Fast: 80-300 Mbps | 21.96% | 15.33% |
| Very Fast: over 300 Mbps | 5.66% | 3.60% |
How Middlesbrough 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 |
| Leicester | 935.89 Mbps | 27.45—99.24 Mbps | 37 Mbps | Faster |
| Edinburgh | 874.24 Mbps | 29.96—107.47 Mbps | 38.02 Mbps | Faster |
| Middlesbrough | 920.2 Mbps | 24.02—109.55 Mbps | 36.09 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 |
Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough Compares for Internet Speed in Middlesbrough
| Position | City / Town | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range | Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesbrough | 920.2 Mbps | 24.02—109.55 Mbps | 36.09 Mbps | - |
Middlesbrough Internet Speed Test Results
We analysed the results of people in Middlesbrough testing broadband providers multiple times, with each test starting no more than 30 minutes after the previous speed test. On average, people in Middlesbrough ran 4 internet speed tests per session. Looking at broadband download speeds, if the Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough's residents, of the internet speed tests we measured, 39.44% were fast, 24.76% slow, and 35.79% broadly the same.
Most Recent Tests
| Provider | Start Time | # Tests | Duration | Start Speed | End Speed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 22:48:00 | 2 | 115 secs | 110 Mbps | 15.11 Mbps | Needs help |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 22:39:03 | 3 | 108 secs | 17.72 Mbps | 282.7 Mbps | Improved |
| Sky Broadband | 18 Jan 2022 21:49:47 | 2 | 62 secs | 27.53 Mbps | 26.07 Mbps | |
| Sky Broadband | 18 Jan 2022 21:49:45 | 2 | 60 secs | 36.16 Mbps | 34.19 Mbps | |
| BT | 18 Jan 2022 20:31:41 | 3 | 16 mins | 0.74 Mbps | 0.41 Mbps | Needs help, very slow |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 20:27:54 | 3 | 2 mins | 47.01 Mbps | 44.41 Mbps | |
| Sky Broadband | 18 Jan 2022 20:27:51 | 3 | 89 secs | 4.66 Mbps | 4.64 Mbps | Needs help, very slow |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 20:11:25 | 2 | 44 secs | 210.58 Mbps | 215.88 Mbps | |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 19:45:39 | 2 | 51 secs | 28.16 Mbps | 16.48 Mbps | Needs help |
| BT | 18 Jan 2022 19:15:09 | 2 | 77 secs | 5.07 Mbps | 17.37 Mbps | Improved |
| Sky Broadband | 18 Jan 2022 19:09:30 | 2 | 39 secs | 13.54 Mbps | 13.33 Mbps | |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 17:59:49 | 2 | 5 mins | 280.4 Mbps | 379.47 Mbps | Improved |
| Sky Broadband | 18 Jan 2022 17:14:34 | 5 | 39 mins | 0.26 Mbps | 0.32 Mbps | Needs help, very slow |
| BT | 18 Jan 2022 16:34:24 | 3 | 22 mins | 93.09 Mbps | 45.28 Mbps | Needs help |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 15:48:42 | 2 | 43 secs | 281.6 Mbps | 285.06 Mbps | |
| Shell Energy | 18 Jan 2022 14:55:01 | 4 | 2 mins | 22.34 Mbps | 31.23 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 14:44:47 | 4 | 5 mins | 215.64 Mbps | 215.59 Mbps | |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 14:45:27 | 2 | 65 secs | 45.14 Mbps | 46 Mbps | |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 13:54:08 | 2 | 7 mins | 130.38 Mbps | 153.65 Mbps | Improved |
| Virgin Media | 18 Jan 2022 13:39:30 | 5 | 17 mins | 785.52 Mbps | 790.53 Mbps |
Summary of Internet Service Providers in Middlesbrough
| # | Provider Name | Max Speed | Typical Speed Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgin Media | 912.12 Mbps | 51.81—202.54 Mbps |
| 2 | BT | 920.2 Mbps | 24.15—75.06 Mbps |
| 3 | Glide | 44.33 Mbps | 32.11—42.88 Mbps |
| 4 | Zen Internet | 103.43 Mbps | 27.94—47.25 Mbps |
| 5 | Vodafone | 73.7 Mbps | 25.25—47.45 Mbps |
| 6 | TalkTalk | 306.63 Mbps | 15.43—43.38 Mbps |
| 7 | EE | 375.35 Mbps | 12.5—36.84 Mbps |
| 8 | Sky Broadband | 490.99 Mbps | 11.6—49.78 Mbps |
| 9 | Plusnet | 74.59 Mbps | 12.18—35.9 Mbps |
| 10 | Shell Energy | 68.73 Mbps | 7.53—30.8 Mbps |
Frequently Asked Questions about Internet Providers in Middlesbrough
How many broadband providers in Middlesbrough are there?
Middlesbrough has 10 ISPs tested by its 140,545 residents.
Who is the fastest broadband provider in Middlesbrough?
Virgin Media is the fastest broadband provider in Middlesbrough with 912.12 Mbps, and an average internet speed range of 51.81—202.54 Mbps.
Who is the best internet provider in Middlesbrough?
The best internet provider in Middlesbrough is Virgin Media, and their users typically see broadband speeds in the range of 51.81 to 202.54 Mbps.
What is the average internet speed in Middlesbrough?
Users in Middlesbrough see an average internet speed of 24.02 up to 407 Mbps, and the fastest speed we've seen is 920.2 Mbps.
Is Virgin Media available in Middlesbrough?
Broadband service from Virgin Media is available in Middlesbrough, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 912.12 Mbps.
Is Sky Broadband available in Middlesbrough?
Broadband service from Sky Broadband is available in Middlesbrough, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 490.99 Mbps.
Is BT available in Middlesbrough?
Broadband service from BT is available in Middlesbrough, and the fastest speed we've seen from them is 920.2 Mbps.
Is BT full fibre available in Middlesbrough?
Yes, BT offers full fibre to the home (also called FTTH or FTTP) to 183 of Middlesbrough's postcodes.
Who is the most popular broadband provider in Middlesbrough?
The broadband provider with the most users in Middlesbrough is Virgin Media.
Author: Thomas Buck
Last Reviewed By: Tyler Cooper
Published: 10 Nov 2019
Last Updated: 18 Jan 2022