Almost three quarters of people in the UK view a broadband connection as important to their lives, a new investigation has shown.

Research published today (June 3rd) by the Communications Consumer Panel (CCP) has revealed that an increasing number of Britons see high-speed internet access as a vital utility alongside water and electricity.

The findings of the study will now be used to support the government's Digital Britain plan, which aims to make 2Mb broadband universal by 2012.

Anna Bradley, chair of the CCP, noted: "In the ten years since broadband was launched, fast always-on access to the internet has made a huge difference to all of our lives."

Ms Bradley added that as take-up of high-speed internet connections has increased, policymakers have begun to consider whether they should "provide a guaranteed minimum level of service".

New research published last week by the BBC outlined the task facing the government as it attempts to implement its Digital Britain plan. The study showed that approximately three million Britons cannot access 2Mb broadband.