Government criticised over rural broadband

MPs representing rural constituencies have hit back after it emerged some communities could miss out on the introduction of super-fast broadband.

Communications minister Lord Carter told the Daily Telegraph this week that it may be too costly for the government to deliver high-speed broadband connections to rural parts of the UK, despite the government having previously promised to deliver high-speed services to every broadband connection in the land by 2012.

Highland Liberal Democrat MP Danny Alexander, who represents Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: "It would be truly outrageous if it were to become government policy to deny the benefits of super-fast broadband to rural Britain."

"This digital urban/rural divide is getting out of control," added Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, president of rural economy body the Country Land and Business Association.

He continued: "It is time for the hyperbole to stop and for government to consider the damage it is doing to rural areas and, in particular, businesses."

Prime minister Gordon Brown and business secretary Lord Mandelson have both championed the potential for improved broadband services across the country to boost the UK economy and increase businesses' ability to compete in the global marketplace.