Rural broadband 'must improve'

The government has been urged to step in to ensure business broadband in the UK's rural areas is given a much-needed boost.

Sarah Lee, head of policy at the Countryside Alliance, said the organisation's members are reporting poor and non-existent connections across the country.

She told the Telegraph that the lack of high-quality broadband in green spots is a "major problem" and must be addressed.

"A fast, secure and reliable broadband network ought to be seen by local and central government as having the same importance as a reliable gas, electricity or water supply," Ms Lee stated.

Her words come just weeks after Virgin Media announced its 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) service is available to ten million Britons and BT said it plans to roll out a 300 Mbps offering in the near future.

However, the picture remains bleak for those living and working in the countryside, where speeds are typically much lower.