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Internet Speeds in the UK and Across the World
A fast and reliable internet connection is increasingly important, not just for businesses but for families who are looking to move. Here East Anglian removal firm Hamiltons Removals look at why speeds vary so much – and where are the best places in the UK and overseas to move to if a good broadband service is essential for your work or leisure time.
Why Speeds Vary
In the UK, if you live in a town or city then you will usually have access to fibre broadband offering higher speeds. If you live in a rural area, this rollout may not have reached you yet, so you may still be relying on older infrastructure such as a copper wire system which is slower and more prone to interruptions.
Speeds may also be slower if you use them during times of peak demand, although pinning this time down has become harder to quantify now that so many people work from home.
The same problem applies overseas as well. So, given its reputation as a high-tech country (and the home of many of the internet multinationals), you might think that the USA would be at the top or near the top of the list for internet connections.
However, because it is such a vast country, and the cost of improving the high-tech infrastructure is so great, it’s not right at the very top. Also, much of the US internet market is dominated by a few big players with regional monopolies so there isn’t much competition, or an option to switch to another provider.
In this respect smaller countries with more modern infrastructure (such as the Middle East and South-East Asia) often have the advantage of better speeds and quicker access to high-tech upgrades.
The Best Places in the UK….
Southampton has the fastest average download speeds of anywhere in the UK in figures released in 2024 by uSwitch*, with households and businesses enjoying average speeds of 166.677Mbps (megabits per-second). It is closely followed by Stockton-on-Tees in the north-east (166.356Mbps); the London borough of Newham is third (157.795Mbps).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Isles of Scilly, Argyll and Bute and the Outer Hebrides in Scotland have the slowest average download speeds across the UK (the Isles of Scilly is the slowest, at 24.536Mbps).
…and Overseas
Singapore has the best average download speed of 284.13Mbps, according to 2024 figures released by SpeedTest. If you are interested in international removals to the UAE, then the country comes second with 276.02Mbps.
The USA is fifth on the list, at 254.01Mbps, while Cuba is at the bottom (just 2.92Mbps).
Moving Your Home or Business with East Anglia Removal Firm Hamiltons Removals
Wherever you want to move to in the UK – whether it’s as far north as the Outer Hebrides, or as far south as Southampton or the Isles of Scilly – then Hamiltons Removals can help you get there. For more information about our UK removals service, click here. And we can help with overseas moves as well – to Europe and many international destinations, including to America and the UAE.
And if you are moving your business, we specialise in the packing, transport and reinstallation of all IT related equipment, using packaging and vehicles specially designed for computer removals. Our staff will work alongside your own IT team to ensure all your equipment is transported undamaged and we will help you set up and reconnect everything at your new location.
If you would like to know more about our commercial removals service, then follow this link; you can also call us on 01379 855203.
Packing Pitfalls to Avoid When Moving House
There are plenty of potential pitfalls to avoid if you are packing up your own belongings prior to moving house – a recent survey by Go.Compare home insurance showed that around one in seven people admitted that something had got dropped or broken at some point in the process.
Hamiltons Removals stock high-quality packing supplies for customers in Norfolk and across East Anglia. Here we identify some of the commonest problems, and also offer some advice on how to avoid them.
Underestimating the Boxes You will Need
Movers typically underestimate the number of boxes they will need. For a typical three-bedroomed home you are probably looking at in the region of 80 to 100 boxes – and that’s not counting the larger items which won’t actually fit in any carton. It’s better to over-estimate than the other way around.
Overpacking Books
Books are reasonably sturdy, and (relatively) unbreakable, and a nice, convenient, regular shape – so it can be tempting to pile them high in large boxes. The problem with doing this is that the box can be so heavy that it’s impossible to lift! Generally, books (and other heavy items) should be placed in relatively small cartons or boxes so that physically transporting them isn’t a problem.
Not Protecting Fragile Lampshades…
Lampshades can be tricky shapes to pack, and they can also be very delicately made. It’s also very hard to secure them safely while they are in transit. Put them in medium or large boxes and make sure there’s plenty of protective packing material in there too – whether it’s newspaper or bubblewrap. It may be possible to pack smaller shades inside larger ones.
…and Computers and Other IT Equipment
These occasionally get damaged, although a little care and attention should avoid any problems. If possible, pack them in their original boxes – you know they will be the correct shape, and you’ll instantly know what’s inside. If you have discarded the original packaging, use a well-labelled box, and use bubblewrap to protect the device or devices.
Also, make sure you know which leads go where before you disconnect anything. And make sure that any electronics are not exposed to any extreme temperatures (either cold or heat) for a prolonged period of time, as either of the these can cause malfunctions.
Using Bin Bags
It can be tempting to use these for loose items, particularly clothing; however, the items will still move around inside. In the case of clothes, it means you will almost certainly need to wash or iron the creases out of everything once you arrive at your new home – which may be the last thing on your mind.
It’s much better to use wardrobe cartons or layflat cartons. These will keep everything secure in transit, and they are also much easier to pack and transport – and to label – than bin bags.
Not Watching the Walls with Your Furniture
Again, furniture can be heavy to lift, so if you are going to do it yourself, make sure you (and your friends or family) are fit enough and know the correct techniques. Generally, you should bear the weight on your legs, keep your back straight, and avoid twisting where possible.
Wrap the items of furniture up (again, preferably in a bespoke covering) before you start moving them – there are plenty of examples of items being damaged, and walls being scraped (in old and new homes) because sofas, chairs and tables all have sharp edges.
Protection Comes First
It’s also easy to underestimate the amount of bubblewrap and packing paper you will need. This particularly applies to glassware and other valuable items such as artwork, paintings and picture frames.
Again, use a specialist carton where possible, such as a bottle box (which will usually have dividers to ensure the bottles don’t knock into one another) or a picture carton (which will also protect the glass and frame).
Use Hamiltons Removals for Your Packing Supplies in Norfolk
At Hamiltons Removals, we have a range of high-quality packing materials for moving house. All our cartons and boxes are double walled for added strength and shouldn’t collapse, no matter how many items you put in them. And you can also buy your bubblewrap, tape and packing paper online from us too.
Our online shop also stocks a number of bespoke packaging products, including wardrobe cartons, bottle boxes and layflat cartons. We also stock furniture covers for moving home, and Furniguard, a laminated protective export packing material.
Or, you could place the whole packing business in our very safe hands – we have been moving people and businesses for more than 30 years, and we will treat your possessions with the utmost care. We can pack up your items, and also unpack them at your new home. Call us on 01379 855203 if you would like to know more.