BDUK Announces Closure of January 2026 National Rolling Open Market Review

Key Takeaways

• NR OMR collected data from Jan 6 to Feb 6, 2026.
• 31.05 million premises surveyed; 26.9 million have gigabit access or plans.
• 2.99 million premises lack gigabit and have no 3‑year plan.
• 2.18 million premises under review, coverage unverified or delivery risky.

Pulse Analysis

Broadband Delivery UK’s National Rolling Open Market Review is a cornerstone of the country’s broadband strategy, acting as a real‑time inventory of gigabit readiness. By asking every major provider to submit detailed infrastructure plans for the next three years, BDUK creates a unified dataset that goes beyond static coverage maps. The one‑month collection window, from early January to early February 2026, ensured that the information reflects the latest commercial commitments and regulatory expectations, giving policymakers a reliable baseline for action.

The review’s findings paint a mixed picture. Of the 31.05 million premises examined, 16.73 million are slated to have multiple gigabit providers, fostering competition and potentially lowering consumer prices. Another 9.16 million will rely on a single provider, still delivering the promised speeds but with less market pressure. However, nearly 3 million homes remain without any gigabit prospect in the next three years, and over 2 million are flagged as “under review,” meaning coverage is either unverified or faces delivery risks. These gaps highlight where private investment alone may fall short, especially in rural or low‑density areas.

Armed with this granular insight, the UK government can more precisely allocate public funds, such as those from Project Gigabit, to bridge the most critical shortfalls. Targeted subsidies can incentivise providers to extend fiber to underserved locations, accelerating the nation’s digital inclusion agenda. Moreover, the transparent mapping of provider competition will help regulators monitor market dynamics and ensure that new entrants can compete fairly. As the data goes live on BDUK’s broadband maps, industry stakeholders and local authorities will have a powerful tool to plan infrastructure upgrades, coordinate funding, and ultimately deliver gigabit connectivity to every corner of the country.