Map compares broadband quality in the UK

Detail of Brighton & Hove on Ofcom map

Ofcom has published an interactive map showing the take-up and quality of fixed broadband services across the UK.

The zoomable map, launched on Wednesday, uses data from ISPs to create overlays on top of Google Maps. It will be updated every year and is being published to comply with Ofcom's duty to report on the UK's communications infrastructure every three years, the regulator said.

"We are now developing a clear picture of the UK's fixed broadband infrastructure and how it delivers for consumers," Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said in a statement. "We hope that this information will stimulate further rollout of broadband infrastructure and better performance for households and businesses."

A series of radio buttons lets people switch from seeing data on speed, quality and take-up. Clicking on an area of the map brings up specific statistics, in this case for Brighton and Hove.

In addition, people can adjust the transparency of the colours used to indicate the range of broadband quality and adoption. The scale runs in order from green, blue, orange and purple to red. Green is the top of the range (fastest or highest, for example), while red is the bottom (lowest or slowest).

Screenshot: David Meyer