Report ends 'digital divide' fears

Rural areas of the UK are better connected to broadband than urban areas for the first time, according to a new report.

New figures show 59% of rural households how have broadband compared with 57% of homes in urban areas, Ofcom said.

The report effectively ends concerns of a "digital divide" between country and built-up areas, the communications regulator said.

In England 60% of rural households have broadband, 2% more than urban areas. The gap is the same in Northern Ireland, where 54% of rural homes have broadband.

In Scotland 59% of rural homes have broadband compared with 52% of urban homes, while in Wales 51% of rural homes and 43% of urban homes have the technology.

The figures are included in Ofcom's "communications market report for the nations and regions of the UK".

Overall broadband is now in 57% of UK households, up from 45% a year ago. The study also found digital television is in 85% of UK households, up 10% since 2006.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "Our report highlights a closing of the geographic digital divide in the UK. Rural households are today as well connected to broadband as their urban neighbours.

"The report also shows that across the UK take-up of all communications services continues to grow with more people watching digital television and listening to DAB digital radio, and consumers are benefiting from convergence and using new ways to access traditional services."

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