Lockdowns make good broadband more key than ever for ...

New research provides more evidence of the importance of good broadband links for tenants.

A survey of over 1,000 students earlier this week shows that 58 per cent would not rent a property without the availability of high-speed broadband.

With current Covid restrictions, this reliance on the internet has become even greater as many are now restricted from visiting their campus for the foreseeable future. As a result, 33 per cent of students are now spending more than five additional hours online per day in order to study.

A further 21 per cent are spending an additional four to five hours extra, with 24 per cent spending an additional two to three hours.

This pandemic induced uplift in internet usage means that 66 per cent of students now place greater importance on good internet in the home, with 29 per cent having struggled to join online lectures or seminars due to poor internet connectivity while studying remotely.

Across the UK, the average broadband download speed is currently 32.2 megabits per second.

The research was for UniHomes, whose co-founder Phil Greaves says: “More often than not, students will be living in shared accommodation and so bad broadband can lead to tension should one person be constantly streaming, resulting in poor connectivity for the rest.

“The good news is that the vast majority of the UK’s best universities are home to above-average broadband speeds. So even if you prioritise the cost of renting when searching for the right university, the chances are you’ll still be able to work, stream and Zoom without any major issues.”

Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.