FBRE Research · Free · CC-BY-4.0

The UK broadband market, in four free datasets.

FBRE Research publishes four free, CC-BY-4.0 UK broadband datasets, refreshed quarterly: AltNet Tracker, ISP Commission Database, Market Pulse and Domain Authority Index, compiled from operator disclosures, INCA, Ofcom and Companies House (Research hub hero).

FBRE publishes four citeable UK broadband datasets, refreshed every quarter. Built from operator-published trading updates, INCA membership, Ofcom Connected Nations, Project Gigabit, Companies House filings and our own network analytics. No estimation, no extrapolation, no paywall.

4 datasets

All free · CC-BY-4.0

Quarterly

Last refresh 3 June 2026

30+ AltNets

Tracked operator coverage

Open the AltNet Tracker Press & analyst enquiries
Translucent 3D UK map with neon violet fibre routes connecting glowing data points at major cities, surrounded by floating glass dashboards showing line charts and tabular percentages, dark indigo background

What changed: Added answer capsule, key-facts block, and question-led headings on hub sections; dataset pages unchanged, 3 June 2026.

By Dr Alex J Martin-Smith · Last updated 3 June 2026

Key facts

  • Datasets: Four free research products, all CC-BY-4.0 (Research hub hero).
  • Cadence: Quarterly refresh (Research hub hero).
  • AltNet coverage: 30+ tracked operators (Research hub hero).
  • Method: Sources, not estimates (Research hub methodology section).

Why we publish this

Why does FBRE publish research?

Operator press releases, regulatory disclosures, INCA membership lists and Companies House filings live in twelve different places, in twelve different formats. We compile them into four free, citeable datasets, updated quarterly, so journalists, policy researchers, operators and consumers can see the market clearly.

The four datasets

What datasets does FBRE Research publish?

UK AltNet Tracker

Premises passed, ready-for-service, customers, take-up rate, funding and INCA membership for 30+ UK alternative network operators. Sourced from operator trading updates and INCA.

Last refresh: 24 May 2026 · Cadence: quarterly

Open the tracker

UK ISP Commission Database

Public-domain affiliate programme presence, indicative commission terms and partnership routes for 20+ UK ISPs. For affiliate publishers, comparison sites and prospective resellers.

Last refresh: 24 May 2026 · Cadence: quarterly

Open the database

UK Broadband Market Pulse

Quarterly snapshot of switch volumes, average UK broadband price, average advertised speed, FTTP coverage and altnet penetration by region.

Last refresh: 24 May 2026 · Cadence: quarterly

Open the pulse

UK Telco Domain Authority Index

Ranking of UK broadband, mobile and utilities domains by independent third-party domain rating. For advertisers selecting media partners and SEO benchmarking.

Last refresh: 24 May 2026 · Cadence: quarterly

Open the index

Mid-Contract Price-Rise Tracker

Two-track reference for UK broadband mid-contract rises: fixed April 2026 amounts, legacy CPI/RPI formulas, exit rules, and CSV.

Last refresh: 3 June 2026 · Cadence: January and April

Open the tracker

UK Social Tariff Database

Social broadband tariffs, PIP acceptance flags, and a client-side eligibility checker. Lead with ~£200/year savings.

Last refresh: 3 June 2026 · Cadence: quarterly

Open the database

How to cite

Cite freely. Link back. Email if you want a custom extract.

Citation format. Example: SearchSwitchSave Group. (2026). UK AltNet Tracker 2026. FBRE.uk Research. Data current to 24 May 2026. Link to the dataset page you used and note the refresh date shown at the top of that page.
Licence. CC-BY-4.0. Free for journalism, academic work, policy submissions and operator marketing. No prior permission required.
Raw CSV. On request. Email hello@searchswitchsave.com with the dataset name and your use case. Sent within one working day, no charge.
Custom extract or commentary. Email the same address with the angle you want covered. We reply with a brief or an interview slot, usually within one working day.

Methodology in one paragraph

What methodology does FBRE Research use?

Data points are compiled from operator-published trading updates, press releases, the INCA membership directory, Ofcom Connected Nations releases, Project Gigabit publications, Ahrefs domain metrics, Companies House filings, and SearchSwitchSave Group network analytics. Numbers are rounded conservatively. Where data is commercially confidential or not yet public, we mark it as "data pending" rather than estimate. Full sourcing detail is on the methodology page.

Most-asked questions

FBRE Research, in plain answers.

How often are the FBRE datasets updated?
All four datasets are refreshed quarterly. The last refresh was 24 May 2026. The next is scheduled for late August 2026.
Can I cite FBRE datasets in journalism or policy work?
Yes. Every FBRE dataset is published under CC-BY-4.0, free for journalism, academic, policy and operator marketing use. Link to the dataset page you used (for example, the UK AltNet Tracker) and note the refresh date shown at the top of that page.
Where does the data come from?
Operator-published trading updates, INCA membership directory, Ofcom Connected Nations releases, Project Gigabit publications, Companies House filings, Ahrefs domain metrics and the SearchSwitchSave Group network analytics. No estimation, no extrapolation. Where data is not yet public we mark it as data pending.
Is the raw data downloadable?
On request. Email hello@searchswitchsave.com with the dataset name and your use case and we will send a CSV within one working day. No charge.
Do you publish a methodology document?
Yes. The methodology page explains exactly how each number is collected, which sources are used and how we handle gaps. We update the methodology page whenever we change a counting rule.
How can I get on the FBRE journalist mailing list?
Email hello@searchswitchsave.com with your beat and title. We send a quarterly press release ahead of each refresh.