UK broadband connections are rose less quickly in 2006 than in 2005, according to research firm Point Topic.

Overall the connection level for the country's homes and businesses rose by 3.1 million to 13.1 million overall, 20 per cent lower than in 2005.

Delays in meeting customer demand for free bundled broadband services and the task of transferring one million lines to local loop unbundling have contributed to the drop, says Point Topic chief executive Tim Johnson.

'We believe that internet service providers have the chance to do better in 2007 though,' he said.

'Our latest survey shows there is still a big latent demand for broadband.'

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Further reading

• Broadband boost for Scottish schools
  
• More broadband in Swindon than anywhere else in UK
  
• Surge in broadband use puts pressure on networks