Interference from devices such as televisions and baby monitors is negatively impacting on Wi-Fi broadband performance in the UK.

That is according to a report from the telecoms regulator and consultancy Mass, which discovered that up to 15 per cent of wireless users suffer from problems when connecting to the internet.

The study disclosed that overcrowding of networks and radio spectrums was unlikely to be an issue, with blame instead lying at the feet of common household items.

According to the report, Mass's measurements and trials show that Wi-Fi networks can potentially carry greater traffic than they do at present.

Despite this, extensive interference between a variety of devices is "commonplace", resulting in a deterioration of service quality for a large number of internet users.

The broadband provider BT currently operates more than 100,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.