Broadband speeds in the UK are to be investigated by parliament's Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC), it has been announced.

MPs announced the launch of the inquiry following the publication of the Digital Britain report on June 16th, which laid out plans for the universal provision of 2Mb broadband.

Among the issues to be considered by the committee is whether or not this target, which has been met with a decidedly mixed response from the broadband industry, is ambitious enough.

The BEC will look into the controversial subject of advertised broadband speeds and whether or not internet service providers are actually supplying the level of access promised to businesses and consumers.

It also intends to investigate the merits of government plans to place a levy upon copper wires in order to raise money for the provision of next-generation fibre broadband.

Earlier this month, the Federation of Small Businesses accused the government of being stuck in a "time warp" in its handling of the UK's digital economy.

Citing the example of Japan where plans are being pursued to make 90Mb high-speed broadband available to everyone, the organisation's chief executive John Wright claimed that 2Mb is already inadequate for most businesses.