Councillors in the Welsh county of Gwent are hoping that the universal services obligation (USO) stating that every address in the country should have phone line access is extended to broadband.

Communications minister Stephen Carter has hinted that the stipulation may be proposed in his forthcoming Digital Britain report.

This potential move has won the backing of local officials in the area, who have highlighted the benefits of high-speed cable broadband.

"It would be huge, especially for farmers who will be able to use the internet for things like cattle passports." Phylip Hobson, a Larkfield councillor, told the South Wales Argus.

While Tom Suller, a councillor for the Marshfield area, is quoted by the publication as saying: "All service providers should work together on this. Businesses here struggle and locals can’t get in touch with relatives who live abroad."

Lord Carter is expected to unveil a vision of 2Mb broadband internet for all households in the country in his upcoming report.