To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his most recent estimate is of the extent of broadband internet access. (249001)

Ofcom Research indicates that over 99 per cent. of households are connected to a broadband enabled exchange. Satellite broadband is geographically available to 100 per cent. of the UK.

Broadband coverage of 512 kbps is available to over 98 per cent. 1 Mbps to over 97 per cent. and 2 Mbps to 93 per cent. Access to 50 Mbps service would be available to over 45 per cent. of households by the end of 2009.

Ofcom’s Communication Market Report 2008 stated that the proportion of homes taking broadband services grew to 58 per cent. by Q1 2008, a rise of six percentage points on a year earlier.