The Commission for Rural Communities has called on the government to offer higher speeds as part of its universal broadband plans.
Government plans to introduce universal broadband should be amended, according to a new report.The publication from the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has claimed that while the body supports proposals to launch UK-wide services of 2Mbps by 2012, alternative plans should be made in rural areas.
It has been claimed that the so-called first-generation broadband is unlikely to meet demand for access in a range of countryside regions.
Lord Carter, who was behind the recent Digital Britain report, said the government will do "all it can to bridge the access gap for rural areas".
He added: "The CRC's report rightly highlights the need to ensure rural communities aren't left behind as the rest of the UK enjoys the benefits of digital technologies, both social and economic."
The Country and Land Association recently called on the government to set a higher guaranteed speed of 5Mbps on the universal broadband scheme.