3 Million Homes With Under 2Mbps Broadband Speeds

A new study commissioned by the BBC has revealed that nearly 3 million UK homes have broadband speeds less than 2Mbps.

Interestingly, it is not just rural areas that are suffering from poor broadband speeds, if any. The survey shows that commuter belt areas near major towns and cities are also affected – with Hampshire being one of the worst affected counties.

In order to receive a broadband speed of at least 2Mbps, a property needs to be 4 kilometres or less away from the local telephone exchange.

The survey, which was conducted for the BBC by broadband specialist firm SamKnows, found that 50% of homes in Basingstoke in Hampshire are at least 6 kilometres away from the exchange.

Worst still, 25% of all postcodes in Hampshire had broadband speeds less than 1Mbps.

Slow broadband speeds mean many websites cannot be viewed properly, including social networking sites and the BBC iPlayer. It also prevents people from being able to work flexibly from home.

With the government’s interim Digital Britain report outlining plans for all UK homes to have a minimum broadband speed of 2Mbps by 2012, this latest study raises the question as to how realistic that plan is.

The final Digital Britain report is due next month and is expected to recommend wireless, mobile and satellite broadband as options to help solve the UK’s broadband coverage & speed problems.