Plans to bring 2Mb broadband to the majority of the country could result in higher internet costs for people who live in rural areas.

According to This is Devon, the government's intention to deliver universal super-fast internet to the UK relates only to speed and not cost.

The regional news portal revealed that a government spokesman has admitted there is a possibility that rural communities might have to pay for the additional costs incurred as a result of the roll-out.

Such a move could mean that people who live in the countryside are faced with unfairly higher costs for having faster broadband than those in urban areas, the Country Land and Business Association warned.

However, the hope is that increased competition among broadband operators will limit any disparity between pricing because of a customer's location.

"We would be looking for network service providers to offer a range of choice which should keep prices down," the government spokesman commented.