Why U.K. fixed broadband is now in big decline

According to New Street Research, U.K. physical wireline broadband subscribers will likely decline by around 250,000 in 2025, despite ongoing housing growth and fiber builds. This would mark “the first time there has ever been a decline” in the country’s fixed broadband market. Competition from fixed wireless access (FWA) and satellite services plays a part, but the firm also thinks some households are foregoing a dedicated broadband service in favor of mobile tethering, which is sharing a phone’s cellular data connection with other devices. It makes sense when thinking about shifting consumer habits, particularly among the younger population. U.K. research group Rethink has predicted that in the next 10 years many young people will have never subscribed to a fixed broadband line, and they’ll rely solely on their phone or Wi-Fi hotspots for all their internet needs.