Every UK home and business to have fast Internet by 2020

Government has announced plans to ensure that every UK home and business has access to fast broadband by the end of this Parliament.

Speaking on Monday, David Cameron will outline steps to put broadband on a similar footing as other basic services like water and electricity, with everyone to have the legal right to request a 10 Mbps connection by 2020.

“Access to the Internet shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a right – absolutely fundamental to life in 21st century Britain,” Cameron said.

“That’s right: we’re getting Britain – all of Britain – online, and on the way to becoming the most prosperous economy in the whole of Europe.”

83% of UK homes and businesses are currently online, with the government’s superfast programme expected to increase that to 95% by the end of 2017.

In addition, government is also pushing for greater transparency about the service consumers are getting, with Ofcom rolling out a new mobile app later this year to allow people to check if their home wi-fi is working as it should be.