Average speeds experienced in the UK are far behind those in areas of Europe and providers are unwilling to spend the money to catch up.

Such is the assertion of the Times in a recent article examining the state of the British broadband industry.

It reports on the service residents of Nuenen in the Netherlands receive. The town, with a population of 7,500, is now being studied as a model for the future of high-speed affordable broadband.

"Residents ... zip along the net at speeds of up to 100 Mbps. They get a triple-play package of TV, phone and broadband for €39 (£31) per month," the Times suggests.

In Britain, the Broadband Stakeholders Group is examining this and other examples around Europe to identify ways to make sure consumers are not left behind in the high-speed revolution.

Earlier this month, the European Commission announced it will soon draw up new proposals to encourage telecoms companies across the country to invest in high-speed broadband services.