Millions of rural homes below 2Mbps

Broadband connection speeds of two megabits per second (Mbps) remain unattainable for around three million UK homes, according to the BBC.

The research defies assumptions that connectivity problems are primarily a rural problem, as issues were discovered in urban areas as well as in more remote communities.

Plans to deliver speeds of at least 2Mbps to every home in the UK by 2012 have been announced by the government, which would deliver faster download speeds and potentially benefit VoIP solutions used by both private residents and business customers.

However, the research suggests so-called connectivity 'notspots' are a more widespread problem than previously thought.

Alex Salter, co-founder of broadband website SamKnows, which conducted the research for the BBC, told the corporation: "We had assumed that these notspots were in remote parts of the countryside. That may be where the most vocal campaigners are but there is a high incidence of them in commuter belts."

In other broadband news, over £220,000 has been awarded to Avanti Communications to support research into satellite technology that could potentially connect more rural residents.