Broadband take up highest in Swindon

Swindon tops the UK for the highest adoption of broadband, a new survey has found.

Over 50 per cent of households in Swindon are hooked up to fast internet connections, according to broadband research firm Point Topic.

Swindon is well served by both BT ADSL and Ntl Telewest fast internet connections, contributing to its high penetration of broadband. Adoption of broadband is far higher in areas where there is competition between the two networks.

There is also a high proportion of young families with children in the area – a group that is more likely to have a high speed connection.

Broadband take up as a whole is greater in the south of England, the research found. Wokingham, High Wycombe. Milton Keynes, Watford and Stevenage all have household adoption rates over 48 per cent.

Rural areas have the lowest penetration, with 50 local authorities where fewer than one in four homes have broadband.

Tim Johnson, chief executive of Point Topic, stressed that the figures are estimates, based on data from Point Topic's consumer surveys combined with broadband statistics and demographic data.

"We believe they are the most accurate estimates available, especially as the broadband market is becoming more deeply divided and even the biggest suppliers no longer have a complete view of what is going on," he said.

The top ten districts for broadband take up are:

• Swindon - 51.1%
• Wokingham - 49.3%
• Wycombe - 48.7%
• Milton Keynes - 48.5%
• Watford - 48.4%
• Stevenage - 48.0%
• Bracknell Forest - 47.9%
• Aylesbury Vale - 47.5%
• West Wiltshire - 47.2%
• Surrey Heath - 47.1%