More Britons are signing up for high speed internet access, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which is due out in November.

Stephen Timms, the minister for e-commerce, has predicted the one millionth customer will be connected to broadband in the next fortnight.

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

A spokeswoman for the CLA told ePolitix.com: "Rural businesses already struggle with inadequate communications, appalling public transport, restrictive planning systems, and infrequent delivery services.

"Without faster internet access, many rural-based businesses will simply not be able to compete in a market that depends on speed of communication and the ability to do business on-line.

"BT recently launched its £30 million advertising campaign 'Broadband has Landed'. The problem is that it hasn't landed in rural Britain.

"The Country Land and Business Association's 'Broadband Rural Britain' campaign which was launched back in July, now reveals that despite promises, the truth is that much rural Britain will never ever get ASDL Broadband technology.

"We understand that BT is a public company, with commercial expectations to its shareholders, but it is imperative that BT is made to be open and transparent about its plans. Rural businesses need to be informed when making business decisions about their IT, not be waiting for false expectations.

"The CLA will continue to lobby for openness and transparency as well as look at the viable alternatives for their members. The CLA are also working closely with government, assessing the solutions for rural Britain."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix.com: "On the Monday after the Liberty and Livelihood March we put 10 points to Tony Blair which he could act on immediately. One of them was: Demonstrate a commitment to the reduction of social exclusion by rolling out broadband IT in rural areas to the same level as other EU countries.

"At present rural areas are disadvantaged in cellular, ISDN and DSL communications (broadband services). Only 1116 exchanges out of 5500 offer the service leaving a vast rural area without any service. Sweden is spending 10bn Swedish Krona (£700m) on achieving 98 per cent broadband coverage.

"Currently Britain only has 66 per cent coverage. If the government wants diversification in rural areas it must commit to the sort of coverage that other European nations enjoy. If broadband services were available in rural areas the speed of take up would be much greater."