Connectivity issues are holding rural businesses back as farmers call for action
The latest NFU Digital Access Survey results reveal that rural broadband and mobile coverage still falls short of what British farming businesses need – with more members stuck on standard broadband speeds than the previous year.
“In 2026, digital connectivity is essential for running a safe, productive and resilient farming business. Yet too many of our members still struggle with unreliable mobile and broadband coverage, preventing them from fully embracing digital technologies,” says NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt as the NFU warned that rural connectivity issues were holding farming businesses back.
Not only is poor connectivity stunting growth; it is endangering lives.
“Poor connectivity can leave farmers vulnerable in emergencies, restrict access to vital services and weaken the resilience of rural communities,” Robyn added.
The results, gathered from a pool of 642 NFU farmers and growers surveyed in February and March 2026, provide a snapshot of what farmer connectivity was like in 2025.
Key findings of our digital access survey include:
- Those with access to 5G has increased from 23% in 2024 to 38% in 2025.
- The percentage of respondents with a download speed of 2 Mbps or lower has nearly doubled from the previous year (8% in 2024 compared with 14% in 2025).
- More members report being stuck on standard broadband speeds than last year.
- Only 17% of respondents get reliable mobile signal in all outdoor locations on farm – down from 22% in 2024.
- Just 32% have access to fibre broadband – significantly below Ofcom’s Nations Report 2025 claims that 79% of England has full fibre in residential homes.
- Nearly all respondents say mobile signal (96%) and broadband (82%) are important for their business.
Read the Digital Access Survey results in full
Our asks
Government targets stalling
“While we welcome the government’s continued commitment to the Shared Rural Network,” Robyn continued, “these results show progress is stalling”.
This lack of progress is reflected in the latest NFU figures and casts doubt on the deliverability of the government’s plans.
Despite 5G access rising, broadband access has largely stagnated or worsened, with access to ultrafast remaining at 12% and access to superfast dipping by 2%.
Moreover, after increasing year-on-year for four consecutive years, the percentage of members who feel that their broadband speed is sufficient for the needs of their business has fallen by 9%.
The NFU is calling on government to deliver on its targets, as a lack or progress exposes farming families and rural communities to the risk of being cut off from vital services in an increasingly digitised world.
The UK’s digital switchover is taking place in January 2027 and this major change relies on strong broadband and mobile infrastructure.
“Rural communities are not asking for special treatment. They simply want reliable connectivity and the same opportunity as everyone else to benefit from a digital future.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
‘Clear gap’ in stats
Robyn said: “Our survey also highlights a clear gap between Ofcom’s coverage data and the reality experienced by many farmers on the ground.”
Fairness
Government may already be looking into the potential delivery of 6G, but rural areas are lagging behind – 5% of respondents still do not have access to 4G or 5G.
Robyn continued: “Without significant improvements, farming businesses risk missing opportunities to innovate, boost productivity and remain competitive.”
It isn’t just the abundant opportunities that the digital world has to offer that farmers are missing out on. Many aspects of modern farm businesses are now dependent on digital services, which puts some farmers at risk of being left behind completely, through no fault of their own.
Robyn added: “Rural communities are not asking for special treatment. They simply want reliable connectivity and the same opportunity as everyone else to benefit from a digital future.”
