Poor internet connectivity on UK farms is threatening the adoption of AI and real-time monitoring, according to a survey of 250 farmers commissioned by CityFibre.
The study, by Censuswide, reveals that nearly eight per cent of farms still have no internet access, despite almost two-thirds of farmers viewing connectivity as critical to daily operations.
The findings raise concerns that unreliable broadband is holding back agricultural productivity and technological innovation at a time when the industry faces mounting economic and regulatory pressure.
Poor internet reliability
More than half of respondents expect their use of digital tools to grow in the next five years, yet 42 per cent cited poor internet reliability and speed as a key barrier—second only to cos )—to implementing new technologies.
CityFibre, says its data highlights an urgent need to accelerate rural connectivity rollouts through government-backed programmes like Project Gigabit. The company has secured nine contracts under the scheme, representing over £865 million in subsidies and unlocking nearly £1.2 billion in combined public and private investment to deliver full fibre to 500,000 rural premises.
Farmers with full fibre report operational gains. Nearly half credited it with enabling precision farming techniques, while others cited increased efficiency, diversification opportunities , and improved access to admin tools
Mental health
Beyond productivity, poor connectivity is also affecting farmers’ mental health and family life. Nine in ten admit to limiting internet use during peak hours, and many report feeling socially isolated due to the lack of reliable online access.
“Farmers need access to the cream of the crop when it comes to connectivity if we’re to fully unlock the economic and technological potential of British agriculture,” said CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch.
Mark Ullyott, a mixed arable and pig farmer in East Yorkshire, said poor connectivity poses a daily challenge. “We rely on satellite internet, which is far from ideal. Without it, we simply couldn’t run the business. Full fibre would be transformational.”
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos added: “ Without reliable broadband, farmers are disadvantaged in meeting regulatory demands and running secure, modern operations.”
CityFibre says it will connect over 1.3 million rural and hard-to-reach homes and businesses to full fibre over the next five years as part of its Project Gigabit commitments. The government initiative has already reached its target of 85% gigabit coverage by the end of 2025 and now aims for universal access by 2030.
Project Gigabit is a £5 billion UK government initiative aimed at delivering gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses across the country, particularly in hard-to-reach rural and remote areas. It is managed by Building Digital UK (BDUK), an executive agency under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the programme seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure nationwide connectivity
Project Gigabit aims achieve at least 85 per cent gigabit broadband coverage across the UK by the end of this year, with nearly 100 per cent by 2030. The programme focuses on areas unlikely to be served by commercial broadband providers
