European broadband speeds improve

By Sarah Tawton

Households in Europe have seen a sharp rise in their broadband speeds in the last year, official figures have revealed.

Data from the European Commission shows that in July 2009, only 15 per cent of broadband lines in Europe were capable of running at 10Mbps.

But by July 2010, 29 per cent ran at this speed or higher.

Neelie Kroes, commissioner for the digital agenda, said that despite these improvements, more needed to be done to reach the European broadband targets on access and speed.

She said: "Fast broadband is digital oxygen, essential for Europe's prosperity and well-being.

"Take up and available speeds are improving, but we need to do more to reach our very fast broadband targets."

According to EC targets, speeds of 30Mbps or more should be available to every European citizen by 2020, while half of the 220 million households on the continent should have access to 100mbps broadband.