'ISPs should help to close digital divide'

The price discrepancy between broadband packages in urban and rural Britain should be closed in order to accelerate take up in remote regions, according to an industry expert.

Michael Phillips, product director for BroadbandChoices.co.uk, claimed that consumers can face far higher charges if they live in the countryside.

He said: "The evidence is there that people in more outlying regions are actually adopting broadband in higher numbers.

"So the suppliers need to get in there and invest in local exchanges, so that there's not this disparity. If you don't live in a supplier's given area, it can cost you up to £10 more per month."

Recent research published by telecoms regulator Ofcom suggests that 59 per cent of households in rural areas receive broadband connections whereas the corresponding figure for towns and cities is 57 per cent.

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, hailed the data as highlighting the "closing of the geographic digital divide in the UK".