- 2 updates
Children's education affected by 'slow internet speeds'
Poor broadband connection is damaging some children's education, according to a new report. The study by insurance firm NFU Mutual found parents in rural areas had to make more phone calls because poor broadband connections.
Live updates
UK on track for superfast broadband 'by 2017'
The Government has dodged suggestions more needs to be done to support families living in rural areas by installing better broadband connection.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey defended the Government's plans to install superfast broadband to "95% of the UK by 2017".
Rural pupils 'risk falling behind' children in the city
Some 20% of families reliant on the internet for their children's education have found they cannot access online resources because of poor broadband connection, a report has found.
Research carried out by insurers NFU Mutual found one in five of 1,600 parents quizzed were having to make more phone calls because of poor broadband connection.
Tim Price, rural affairs specialist for NFU Mutual, said: "As more educational resources become internet-based, country children risk falling behind their urban counterparts.
"Studying via the internet is now a key part of children's education and it's unfair that learning opportunities are being affected by slow internet speeds."