Some 16.5 million (63 per cent) UK households had broadband packages in 2009, up more than 1.5 million (seven per cent) from last year, new research has revealed.

According to the government's latest National Statistics Omnibus Survey, broadband accounted for 90 per cent of all UK internet connections in 2009.

This was a significant increase over 2006, when broadband made up just 69 per cent of the UK's household internet access.

The research showed that 34.7 million adults (76 per cent) accessed the internet in the three months leading to the review, which was higher than in previous studies.

It also indicated that London was the area with the highest concentration of broadband lines (80 per cent), while the lowest was Scotland with just 62 per cent.

This comes as little surprise after the 2009 Scottish Household Survey indicated that little over half (54 per cent) of homes north of the border had broadband in 2007-08.

Among the lowest-earning households, this figure stood at just 27 per cent.