How internet users in the countryside still lag behind

RURAL areas are still lagging behind cities for superfast broadband, Ofcom has found.

During peak times last year, only 23 per cent of rural households could access superfast broadband, compared to 59 per cent of urban homes.

The peak period, between 8 and 10pm, sees speeds slow down as more people go online. During this time, 23 per cent of rural homes reached 30 Megabits per second, meeting the communications watchdog’s definition of ‘superfast’.

In 2016, 46 per cent of urban homes met 30Mbp/s, compared to 14 per cent in rural areas.

‘Differences in performance between urban and rural areas remain significant,’ said Ofcom, which analysed the internet routers of 4,000 volunteers.

The report will put pressure on the Government to close the gap. Last December digital minister Matt Hancock said: ‘There is more work to be done.’

Ofcom also found that speeds were lower than advertised. Only 3 per cent of firms said their speeds were less than 10Mbp/s, but figures from last November showed this speed affected 21 per cent of homes.