620,000 have slow broadband

NEARLY 620,000 UK properties still lack a decent broadband connection, official figures reveal today.

The speeds received are so slow that families cannot enjoy normal activities such as streaming music, downloading films or watching videos on Netflix, says Ofcom.

Business groups say poor connections also hurt the economy because it makes it far more difficult for entrepreneurs to run businesses from home.

The number of properties without a decent connection – a download speed below 10megabits per second – has fallen by a third in a year but the regulator says this is still too high. It comes ahead of changes set to be introduced that will give families a legal right to better broadband. In 2020, those receiving download speeds of below 10 megabits can ask for a better connection under a ‘universal service obligation’.

In a report today, Ofcom will say the number of homes without decent connections is 619,000, about 2pc of properties, down from 925,000 a year ago. Ofcom has been pushing BT-owned Openreach and other firms to improve coverage, calling for cutting-edge fibre cables to be rolled out.