What a difference a decade could make – new estimates predict that in ten years most of the UK could be surfing the web through 32Mb broadband internet connection.

Research firm Point Topic says that it is likely that 90 per cent of the country will have broadband in the space of a decade.

Of this significant share, the experts think that most will be signed up to internet speeds of up to 32Mb.

However, chief analyst Tim Johnson has stressed that this eventuality depends on the ability of the industry to press forward with a universal roll-out.

He said: "There needs to be a strong commitment to universal service, and serious investment in getting no-net homes online.

"It might seem a big step today, but I think that it's one of the best things we could do to restructure our economy as we emerge from the financial crisis."