The areas with the most improved broadband speeds over the past five years have been revealed, with three Scottish locations ranked among the top 10.
The Orkney Islands, Aberdeen City and the Shetland Islands were named as three of the top 10 areas with the most improved download speeds since 2018. The Scottish areas have been ranked fourth, seventh and ninth respectively as each area saw a more than 30 percent jump in broadband speeds.
The top spot on the list went to Kingston upon Hull, which saw a huge 73 percent increase in download speeds.
The research, carried out by the utility experts at Uswitch, highlights that the highest quality of broadband is not available across the country. While areas further away from Scotland's Central Belt may have seen slower speeds previously, the data shows that things have been improving over the past five years.
| Rank | Local Authority | Download Speed Increase |
| 1 | Kingston Upon Hull | 73 percent |
| 2 | Uttlesford | 40 percent |
| 3 | Ceredigion | 36 percent |
| =4 | Braintree | 35 percent |
| =4 | Powys | 35 percent |
| =4 | Orkney Islands | 35 percent |
| =7 | Tewkesbury | 34 percent |
| =7 | Aberdeen City | 34 percent |
| =9 | Shetland Island | 33 percent |
| =9 | Maldon | 33 percent |
Max Beckett, Broadband expert at Uswitch, comments: "As working from home and online learning remain essential for many of us, a reliable broadband connection is more crucial than ever. However, not all types of broadband are available across the country, and there are many factors that can determine your broadband’s speed and consistency.
"If you are unhappy with your broadband speed, you should consider running a speed test and comparing your internet speed to the average speed in your postcode area. It should highlight the potential broadband speeds available to you, and which providers you could switch to in order to access them."
It's not just broadband networks that appear to be improving in Rural Scotland either, as EE has recently announced that they upgraded nearly 120 4G sites across Scotland last year, and to extend coverage to as many as 230 more rural areas as part of the Shared Rural Network initiative.
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: "EE's 4G has expanded by 500 square miles over the past year and we continue to be the sole provider of mobile services in many areas of the UK."
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