Broadband growth 'slowing'

UK consumers are shying away from broadband subscriptions as they seek to save costs, new research has indicated.

According to figures from consultancy company Deloitte, the UK's broadband market saw growth of 0.5 per cent this year, down from six per cent.

By comparison, the last half-decade had seen growth of more than 37 per cent, the Daily Telegraph reports.

"In straitened times, and with penetration levels of many gadgets already high, most 'replacement' or 'upgrade' purchases may be given a second thought," the firm's Howard Davies told the newspaper.

Despite the negative report, recent figures from telecommunications watchdog Ofcom have indicated that the number of connections in the UK has reached an all-time high.

The organisation's latest quarterly report found that there were 16.6 million connections in the second quarter of the year, up from 14.38 million in the same period of 2007.

Additionally, Virgin Media has just launched what it claims will be the UK's fastest broadband, capable of speeds of 50Mbps.