Average UK broadband speeds higher than US

The average speed of broadband connections in the UK is nearly one megabit per second (Mbps) higher than in the US, a new study has revealed.

Research from Futuresource Consulting found that average speeds from internet service providers (ISPs) in the US rest at 2.7Mbps, while in the UK the figure is 3.6Mbps, resulting in potentially better use of VoIP solutions and quicker download times.

However, the UK still lags behind Sweden, which offers web users an average speed of 14Mbps and countries such as South Korea and Japan, which have embraced next-generation technology on a much wider scale.

Patrik Pfandler, senior market analyst for Futuresource Consulting, said: "Download speeds are becoming the next broadband battleground for the ISPs in developed countries, with network upgrades over the next four to five years providing a number of players with that much-needed edge in a commoditised market."

The data suggests that the number of total broadband users around the world will reach 500 million through the course of 2010.

The UK government plans to connect every home in the country to a service of at least 2Mbps by 2012.