12/11/2009 - Ministers vow increased web access
The Government has said it intends to spread the reach of the internet to most of the country by 2017 as almost half of online retailers are based in rural areas, new research has revealed.
Most of the more than 500 online companies studied by internet sales giant eBay said they believed that the ability to use the internet to trade had saved their business.
Managing director of eBay Mark Lewis said: "There is no doubt that the internet has transformed the way we shop and has challenged retailers, both online and off-line, to raise their game to meet ever higher consumer expectations."
Stephen Timms, minister for Digital Britain, said: "It's important for Britain's competitiveness that we have a world-class digital infrastructure.
"That's why we're ensuring business and consumers in rural areas have access to quality broadband at speeds of at least two megabit per second through our Universal Service Commitment - and also taking steps to ensure next generation networks reach over 90% of the country by 2017."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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