MK42 postcode
Broadband in MK42 8QZ
Kempston, Bedford
Superfast broadband covers 100% of premises here.
Free, independent comparison · Ofcom verified data · Updated 16 March 2026
Flood Risk
Medium
Fibre (FTTP)
No
Best speed
300Mbps+
Speed Calculator
Adjust the options below to see how much broadband speed your household needs.
HD uses ~5 Mbps per person. 4K uses ~25 Mbps.
Each person on calls needs around 10 Mbps.
Competitive gaming needs low latency as much as raw speed.
Cameras, thermostats, speakers and similar devices each use a few Mbps.
The best available speed at MK42 8QZ is 300Mbps+. That covers your 14 Mbps estimate.
Speed Test
Check your current download speed and see how it compares to what is available at MK42 8QZ.
The test downloads a 2 MB file from our server and measures how long it takes.
This test measures download speed only. Results vary depending on network conditions.
Broadband availability
Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025 (Jul 2025)
| Technology | Available | Coverage | Typical Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (ADSL) | 100% | 100% | 10-20 Mbps |
| Superfast (30+ Mbps) | 100% | 100% | 30-80 Mbps |
| Ultrafast (100+ Mbps) | 96% | 96% | 100-300 Mbps |
| Full Fibre (FTTP) | N/A | N/A | 300-900 Mbps |
| Gigabit | 0% | 0% | 900-1,000 Mbps |
Speed Distribution at MK42 8QZ
Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025
Real-World Speeds at MK42 8QZ
Based on 3 Ookla Speedtest results (Q4 2025)
Download
109
Mbps
Upload
64
Mbps
Latency
11
ms
Tests
3
results
Source: Ookla Speedtest Open Data (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Digital Divide at MK42 8QZ
Fibre-to-cabinet or better
Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025
Cell Tower Coverage near MK42 8QZ
Source: OpenStreetMap Contributors
Mobile coverage
4G & 5G coverage · Ofcom Connected Nations 2025
4G Outdoor
4G Indoor
5G Outdoor
Networks with 4G
Crime summary
Based on Police.uk data for 2025-12Total crimes last month: 207
Schools nearby
Nearest schools within 5 miles · Ofsted ratings as at Jan 2026
| School | Type | Ofsted | Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivertree Free School | Special | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.2 mi |
| Grange Academy | Special | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.3 mi |
| Bedford Road Primary Academy | Primary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.3 mi |
| Greys Education Centre | Other | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.4 mi |
| Great Denham Primary School | Primary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.6 mi |
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Flood risk
Zone 2/3
🟠
Flood risk: Medium
This postcode is in Zone 2/3 — medium risk of flooding from rivers and sea.
Flood Zone
Zone 2/3
Risk Level
Medium
Air quality
Particulate matter & nitrogen dioxide levels
Fair air quality
Air quality data not available.
WHO guideline: 15 μg/m³
WHO guideline: 45 μg/m³
WHO guideline: 25 μg/m³
Area demographics
Data for LSOA: Bedford 016A
Population
1,230
Census 2021
Density
6373
per km² · Dense urban
Median Age
32
years (est.)
Estimated from area type (density-based); exact value requires Census TS007 age breakdown
Deprivation index (IMD)
English Indices of Deprivation 2019 · LSOA: E01017509
Overall IMD Decile
2 / 10
Most deprived
Ranked
3,953
of 32,844 areas
Decile 10 = least deprived 10% of England. Decile 1 = most deprived 10%. Based on Bedford 016A (2019 boundaries).
| Domain | Decile | Rank | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 2 | 5,022 | Most deprived |
| Employment | 2 | 3,459 | Most deprived |
| Education | 1 | 52 | Most deprived |
| Health | 2 | N/A | Most deprived |
| Crime | 7 | N/A | Above average |
Transport links
Nearest train stations and towns
Nearest train stations
No train stations found within 15 miles
EV charging nearby
Public EV charging points within 5 miles
EV Charger
0.4 mi
away
EV Charger
0.5 mi
away
BP Pulse
1.4 mi
away
EV Charger
1.5 mi
away
EV Charger
1.5 mi
away
Council tax bands
Band distribution for Bedford
Most common: Band C
~£1,841/yr · Bedford
Annual council tax estimates for Bedford, 2024/25
EPC energy ratings
Energy Performance Certificate distribution for this area
Most common: Band E
EPC score 39–54
GP surgeries nearby
Nearest NHS GP practices
KING STREET SURGERY
new patients
THE VILLAGE PHARMACY
new patients
QUEENS PARK HEALTH CENTRE
new patients
CARITAS MEDICAL PCN
new patients
HUC B&L IUC SERVICE
new patients
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Check Deals →Living near MK42 8QZ
Kempston is home to MK42 8QZ. Whether you live here or plan to move, the data below paints a clear picture. Broadband, schools, crime, house prices, and local services all follow. The numbers speak for themselves.
Superfast broadband (30 Mbps+) coverage at MK42 8QZ stands at 100%. That is above the UK average of 93%. Ultrafast broadband (100 Mbps+) reaches 96% of properties. That is solid coverage for bandwidth-heavy households. The maximum download speed recorded is 300Mbps+. That is well above the UK real-world average of 69 Mbps.
Looking at the full speed profile for MK42 8QZ gives a better picture of what to expect. 12.5% of connections fall in the 30 to 300 Mbps range. 87.5% of connections fall in the 300 Mbps or faster range. No premises here are stuck below 5 Mbps. Every property meets the basic threshold for video calls. Over half of connections exceed 300 Mbps. That supports multiple 4K streams, large file transfers, and cloud gaming without issue.
What do the broadband speeds at MK42 8QZ mean in practice? Upload speeds average 64.44 Mbps. That handles HD video calls, cloud backups, and uploading large files without issues. Multiple 4K streams can run simultaneously. Netflix, Disney+, and iPlayer should all work without buffering even with several devices active. Latency is 11 ms. That is excellent for online gaming, competitive play, and real-time applications. Remote working is viable here. Video conferencing, cloud documents, and VPN connections should all perform well.
Fixed Wireless Access is not currently available at MK42 8QZ. For properties without fibre, 4G or 5G home broadband from Three, EE, or Vodafone may be an alternative.
Ookla Speedtest users at MK42 8QZ see average downloads of 108.8 Mbps. Advertised speeds often differ from reality. These figures come from actual user tests. Upload speeds average 64.44 Mbps. Latency sits at 11 ms. That is excellent for responsive browsing and gaming. This is based on 3 speed tests run by local users.
The USO guarantees every UK home at least 10 Mbps. At MK42 8QZ, 0% of properties do not meet this threshold. Every property here meets the minimum standard. That is not the case everywhere. Next-generation access (NGA) reaches 100% of the area. NGA typically means speeds of 24 Mbps or above.
The nearest tower is 2.73 km away.
207 crimes were reported near MK42 8QZ in the most recent month. The level is higher than average. The most common category was violent crime. Other frequent types include anti social behaviour and public order. Data comes from Police.uk at LSOA level. One month is a snapshot, not a trend.
Rivertree Free School is the closest school at 0.24 miles. It is a Special school. Ofsted rates it as Not available. There are 5 schools within a few miles of this postcode.
Flood risk at MK42 8QZ is rated Medium (Zone 2/3). Check Environment Agency flood maps for detailed information. Specialist flood insurance may be needed. Air quality is rated Fair with PM2.5 at 1.7 micrograms per cubic metre.
The LSOA covering MK42 8QZ has a population of approximately 1230. Median age is 32. That is close to the national median of 40.
Stockport station is the closest rail link at 113 miles from MK42 8QZ. The station is some distance away. Consider driving, or check for direct bus routes. Ashton-under-Lyne is the next closest at 116 miles. Manchester Piccadilly offers another option at 118.7 miles.
Properties around MK42 8QZ most commonly fall into council tax Band C. The billing authority is Bedford. The three most common bands are C (28%), D (24%), B (18%). Band C corresponds to 1991 property values of £52,001 to £68,000. Current values are typically much higher. The spread across mid-range bands suggests a varied housing stock.
Outdoor 4G mobile signal at MK42 8QZ is available across 100% of the area. Indoor 4G drops to 99.7%. Indoor coverage is close to outdoor levels. Signal should be reliable throughout the building. 5G outdoor coverage is at 98.9%. That makes 5G home broadband a genuine alternative to fixed-line connections. Coverage data covers EE, O2, Three, Vodafone. Check each operator individually, as coverage varies by network.
Suitability scores for MK42 8QZ: remote working 95/100, family 60/100, value 50/100. Strong broadband makes this area well suited to home working.
The local authority for MK42 8QZ is Bedford. The immediate area is Kempston, a distinct community within the wider district. The MK42 postcode area contains 1233 postcodes on this site. Superfast broadband across MK42 ranges from 0% to 100%. MK42 8QZ is close to the area average of 98%.
How does MK42 8QZ compare to its neighbours? MK42 8RD (0.05 miles, Kempston) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 8RS (0.05 miles, Kempston) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 8QS (0.05 miles, Kempston) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 8QU (0.06 miles, Kempston) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. Coverage is broadly similar across these neighbouring postcodes.
When choosing a broadband provider at MK42 8QZ, check what technology reaches your specific address. Availability varies by street and sometimes by building. If fibre is unavailable, consider 4G home broadband or satellite as alternatives. Speeds may still be adequate for most uses. Compare contract lengths, total costs over the term, and exit fees. The cheapest monthly rate is not always the best deal.
The age profile is close to the national median. A mix of families, professionals, and retirees.
What does all of this mean for someone considering MK42 8QZ? Fast broadband but distant rail links makes this a better fit for remote workers than commuters. Both fixed and mobile connectivity are strong. Backup options exist if one connection fails.
Data sources include Ofcom (broadband and mobile), Land Registry (house prices), Police.uk (crime), Ofsted (schools), Environment Agency (flood risk), and Open-Meteo (air quality). Council tax data comes from the Valuation Office Agency. EPC data is from DLUHC. Transport data uses NaPTAN. Speed distribution figures are from Ofcom Connected Nations. All figures are the latest available at the time of writing.
Data is a starting point for Kempston. Walk the streets at different times. Test your mobile signal. Check parking, noise levels, and the feel of the neighbourhood. Run a speed test on the actual connection. Some things only a visit can reveal.
MK42 8QZ in Kempston: broadband, house prices, crime, schools, and more. All from verified sources. Run a speed test above for a live reading. Compare with nearby postcodes to see how this area stacks up against its neighbours.
Frequently asked questions about MK42 8QZ
What are the broadband speeds available at MK42 8QZ?
Superfast broadband (30 Mbps+) is available to 100% of premises at MK42 8QZ. Maximum download speeds reach 300Mbps+. Ultrafast coverage is at 96%.
What is the average house price near MK42 8QZ?
No recent house price data is available for MK42 8QZ.
What is the flood risk for properties at MK42 8QZ?
MK42 8QZ has a Medium flood risk rating, classified as Zone 2/3. Check Environment Agency maps for detail.
What schools are nearby in the MK42 8QZ area?
The nearest school is Rivertree Free School (Special), 0.24 miles away. There are 5 schools within a few miles.
How does crime rate in MK42 8QZ compare to other areas?
207 offences were recorded in this LSOA area in the latest month. This is above average for England and Wales.
How suitable is MK42 8QZ for remote working?
MK42 8QZ scores 95/100 for remote working suitability. Strong broadband makes it well suited.
What is the mobile signal like at MK42 8QZ?
4G outdoor coverage at MK42 8QZ is 100%. 5G reaches 98.9%. Indoor coverage may be lower.
What is the most common energy efficiency rating near MK42 8QZ?
EPC data for MK42 8QZ is being updated. Check the EPC register for individual property ratings.
What is the council tax band distribution at MK42 8QZ?
The most common council tax band near MK42 8QZ is Band C. The billing authority is Bedford.
How accessible are GP surgeries near MK42 8QZ?
GP surgery data for MK42 8QZ is being updated. Check NHS.uk for the latest.
What transport links are available near MK42 8QZ?
The nearest train station to MK42 8QZ is Stockport, 113 miles away. Ashton-under-Lyne is also nearby.
Is MK42 8QZ a suitable area for families?
MK42 8QZ scores 60/100 for family suitability. The area offers a reasonable mix of schools and safety.
What is the air quality like at MK42 8QZ?
Air quality at MK42 8QZ is rated Fair. PM2.5 levels are 1.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Sensitive individuals should take note.
How far is the nearest EV charging point from MK42 8QZ?
EV charging data for MK42 8QZ is being updated. Check Zap-Map for the latest.
Can I get full fibre broadband at MK42 8QZ?
Ultrafast broadband (100 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises. Check Openreach and local operators for FTTP availability.
Area suitability scores
MK42 8QZRemote Worker
95Based on superfast broadband coverage, FTTP %, and 4G mobile outdoor coverage.
Family
60Based on Ofsted school ratings, crime rate, flood risk, and GP surgery proximity.
Value for Money
50Based on broadband quality relative to average house price in the area.
Map
Area info
Parish
Kempston
District
Bedford
Region
Constituency
LSOA
E01017509
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