The UK now has two million broadband connections, according to telecoms watchdog Oftel.

"It took two years to reach one million connections but only seven months to reach two million, as increased competition and lower prices have boosted connection rates," said David Edmonds, director general of Telecommunications.

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

Peter Scargill, FSB IT chairman, told ePolitix.com: "Small firms in particular derive huge benefits from investing in IT but the lack of fast, always-on internet access is preventing them from taking the leap to trading on-line."

"Although some UK regions have already taken the initiative to kick start the roll out of broadband, overall the government has made a slow start. It must act to ensure that rural areas do not get left behind."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "The IoD warmly supports the government's target to create in the UK the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7.

"Particularly welcome is the aim to encourage private sector investment in new broadband infrastructure.

"Small and medium sized businesses that previously had little prospect of obtaining access should be made aware of the advantages of cost effective 'always on' broadband services."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Two million broadband connections is a great achievement and it is gratifying to see that the UK is finally shedding its image as the 'poor European relation' in this respect.

"But the stark truth is that rural businesses are still suffering because broadband is not available to them. This is unacceptable.

The rural economy is in dire straits anyway, but to be hamstrung by not having the same advantages as their urban competitors, many rural businesses will continue to suffer.

"They are not asking for special treatment - just opportunities equal to that afforded to urban businesses.

"At our Liberty and Livelihood March last year broadband roll-out to rural areas was high on our list of demands and it remains on the list.

"Broadband has been accepted as the future of global business and it is insane that rural businesses are still being excluded. The playing field needs to be evened out, and soon."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

Dr Charles Trotman, rural economy adviser at the CLA, told ePolitix.com: "The point still has to be made that, despite the increasing numbers of broadband connections across the UK, rural areas are not connected.

"This is due to a variety of reasons - BT exchanges not be enabled, satellite costs too high, wireless technology still in its infancy. The fact remains that without access to affordable broadband, rural business loses out to the detriment of all in the rural economy.

"We have been saying all along that government must use its purchasing power to allow rural business to piggy back on the public broadband infrastructure.

"The minister for e-commerce confirmed during the broadband debate in the Commons that private business will be able to benefit from the public infrastructure.

"But it could be three years down the line before rural business is able to connect to affordable broadband. Time is of the essence.

"Enough talk - it is only action at all levels by all those involved in the broadband debate that will make sure rural business remains competitive."