Broadband speeds through the years: how our demand for data has changed everything

From the very early days of dial-up internet to today’s full-fibre connections, let’s take a journey through the evolution of connectivity and what that means for businesses today.

In short: UK broadband has gone from 56 Kbps dial-up in the 1990s to full fibre, while our data use has grown just as fast. Openreach is due to complete the PSTN switch-off on 31 January 2027, so businesses still relying on copper phone lines need to plan a move to VoIP.

It’s no secret that we have come a long way since the 1990s, when connecting to the internet meant using a dial-up modem, a copper telephone line and a lot of squeaking noise.

At the time, speeds of up to 56 Kbps were deemed to be revolutionary – opening up a world of possibility for those logging into computers around the world. Looking back, however, those connections would be considered incredibly slow and unfit for purpose now that businesses around the UK enjoy connectivity that is thousands of times faster.

According to Ofcom reports, the average maximum download speed for UK workplaces was 131 Mbps in 2023-24.

For businesses, reliable connectivity is now essential to everyday operations and our need for cloud-based software, video conferencing, online payments and more, requires connections that support productivity rather than hold it back.

From dial-up connections to always on

In the mid-1990s, businesses were connected to the internet using dial-up internet, which used existing telephone infrastructure to transfer data around the globe. Unless you had a separate line running into the workplace, this meant that companies could not conduct calls and web activity simultaneously – a bit of a challenge looking back nearly three decades later.

The advent of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) changed this, delivering speeds of around 128 Kbps and providing users with two distinct channels for communications.

Then, in the 2000s, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) arrived, with initial UK services commonly offering download speeds of up to 512 Kbps. Unlike dial-up, ADSL was always connected – no more choosing between making phone calls and staying connected!

By 2006, the technology had advanced enough to make 8 Mbps a standard download speed and, just a couple of years later, ADSL2+ brought with it speeds that promised up to 24Mbps. However, since the connection to the internet still relied on the copper telephone lines, the real-world speed depended on the length and quality of that line.

Fibre comes along

The biggest game-changer in connectivity came in the form of fibre broadband – a major step forward that moved away from a reliance on legacy copper lines. Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) broadband moved connections closer to homes and businesses, relying only on copper lines to deliver data from street cabinets to individual premises. While speeds could still be affected by the condition of these short-range copper connections, the bandwidth enjoyed by most companies dramatically improved as a result of this innovation.

Average UK broadband speeds rose from 36 Mbps in 2017 to 69.4 Mbps in 2023. Globally, the average passed 1 Mbps around 2005 and reached around 100 Mbps by 2022, growing about 20% a year.

The latest upgrade is fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), which runs fibre-optic cables directly to the building in question. “Full fibre” as it is often known, enables organisations to reap the full benefit of broadband connectivity with few restrictions on bandwidth.

Demand has grown just as fast

While the speed of the internet has grown rapidly over the years, so has the average monthly data usage – rising from 315GB in 2019 to 453GB in 2021. By July 2025, the average monthly data use reached 583 GB per fixed broadband connection, according to Ofcom’s 2025 Connected Nations report.

For businesses, reliable connectivity is now as essential as running water and electricity in running everyday operations. From streaming to cloud storage, a slow or unreliable connection hits both productivity and reputation in a surprisingly short period of time.

What’s new for connectivity?

Future Timeline projects that average speeds will keep rising sharply if current trends continue.

In the more immediate future, another significant change is coming. On 31st January 2027, Openreach is due to complete the switch-off of the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), bringing an end to legacy copper landlines. This will affect businesses still relying on traditional phone lines and ISDN services, as well as equipment connected to these lines.

Importantly, the switch-off doesn’t mean all ADSL and FTTC broadband services will automatically stop working on that date. However, businesses using broadband and telephone services linked to older infrastructure should check their arrangements with their provider.

For organisations still using traditional telephone systems, moving to an internet-based solution such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an important consideration.

It’s also worth checking whether equipment such as alarms, payment terminals or lift emergency phones could be affected.

Get VoIP with Everflow

We have come a long way since the dial-up internet, with every leap of speed changing what businesses can do. With the switch-off due on 31 January 2027, there are only a few months to go until the Big Switch Off, which means now might be the perfect time to review your current setup and think about your connectivity requirements.

Here at Everflow, we can help your organisation find the right business VoIP solution to ensure you avoid disruption when the deadline comes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the PSTN Switch-Off?

Openreach is due to complete the switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) on 31 January 2027, ending the era of traditional copper landlines.

Will my ADSL broadband stop working in 2027?

Not automatically. The PSTN switch-off doesn’t mean all ADSL and FTTC broadband services will stop working on 31 January 2027. However, if your broadband and telephone services are linked to older infrastructure, check your arrangements with your provider. Businesses still using traditional telephone systems should consider moving to an internet-based solution such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

What equipment is affected?

The switch-off affects businesses relying on traditional phone lines and ISDN services, plus any equipment connected to those lines. This could include alarms, payment terminals and lift emergency phones.

Contact Everflow today!

Reliable connectivity is essential to the smooth running of your business. At Everflow, our broadband and phone services are fast, dependable and built for what modern organisations need, helping your business stay competitive and future-ready. Get a bespoke connectivity quote using the link below.

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