Faster business broadband 'is top Christmas wish'

Companies that are based in rural parts of the UK have put faster business broadband connections at the top of their Christmas list this year.

According to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), reliability is a key concern for many firms.

It noted 20 per cent of users in England and Wales – both commercial and residential – have an internet link that is slower than 2 Mbps.

CLA president Harry Cotterell said: "The rural-urban digital divide is growing at an alarming rate and causing major problems [for people] with commercial properties who have lost tenants because they cannot offer a superfast broadband connection."

The CLA is now urging the government to consider installing equipment that will boost speeds in rural areas.

It was recently suggested by the Countryside Alliance that Westminster must do more to support the use of high-speed internet in rural parts of the UK if firms in these areas are to thrive.