Business broadband in the countryside 'still suffering'

When it comes to enjoying the latest business broadband technology, firms located in the UK's rural spots are still missing out, it has been claimed.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has suggested that the latest round of upgrades to broadband links have once again bypassed the countryside.

All of the fastest speeds and best improvements are being diverted towards the areas that already have the most rapid connections, it noted.

"Rural areas are still losing out in the broadband provider war. Virgin Media's latest rollout ignores homes and businesses in the countryside to give areas that already have good broadband even faster connections," explained Dr Charles Trotman, head of rural development at the CLA.

The organisation now wants the government to focus on bringing a business broadband connection of at least five Megabits per second (Mbps) to every building in the country.

BT last week promised people in some parts of the UK that they will be able to enjoy speeds of 300 Mbps by next spring.