More work is needed to ensure that all of the UK has access to broadband, an expert has suggested.

A representative from uSwitch.com has expressed concern for rural residents after a BBC report found that up to three million people cannot access 2Mb broadband.

The price comparison site's own research found last month that a quarter of all high-speed internet subscribers experience connections of less than 2Mb, with 45 per cent not being satisfied with their download speeds.

Jason Glynn, communications expert at uSwitch.com, said: "The imminent launch from BT of its next-generation network of ADSL2+ (up to 20Mb) will provide faster speeds than currently available, however it is still likely that rural areas will be slower than other parts of the country in the short-term."

He also noted that homes in remote areas are more likely to be further from telecoms exchanges, which can have a major impact on connection speeds.

Figures revealed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this month showed that there were more than 17.25 million broadband users in the UK at the end of 2008.