Recent reports suggest that for the first time rural areas have overtaken urban areas when it comes to the take-up of broadband

Broadband has become massively popular with both residential consumes and businesses over recent years, and the take-up of broadband has rocketed. However, many people assume that the take-up of broadband is much higher in urban areas than in rural ones. According to a recent report from the communications regulator, Ofcom, this is no longer the case, with figures showing that for the first time the take-up of broadband is higher in rural areas than in urban ones.

According to the figures from Ofcom fifty nine percent of homes in rural areas now have broadband connections, whereas only fifty seven percent of homes in urban areas have broadband. Ofcom officials claim that it is the first time that rural areas have overtaken urban ones in terms of broadband take-up. One official from Ofcom stated: “Our report highlights a closing of the geographical digital divide in the UK. Rural households are today as well connected to broadband as their urban neighbours”.

However, some officials have expressed concern over the speeds that rural homes may be getting with their broadband service, as their homes tend to be much further away from local telephone exchanges than homes in urban areas, and this can have a dramatic impact on the speeds that those living in rural areas are able to achieve.

Of come has confirmed that Sunderland has the highest number of broadband connections, with sixty six percent of households in the area having broadband connections. The lowest number was found in Glasgow, where only thirty two percent of households were connected. London came in at joint fourth place with the Highlands, with both having sixty two percent of households that were connected to broadband.