The number of UK households using broadband internet connections is still lower than in any other country in Europe.

This according to researchers Nielsen NetRatings.

Only nine per cent of UK households use a high-speed connection to dial-up the internet compared to 39 per cent in Germany and 33 per cent in Sweden. France, with far fewer internet connections, has a higher number of broadband users.

Analyst Tom Ewing said:

"Broadband is growing in this country but the Government's target of being the G7 leader in broadband connectivity by 2005 is absurd if you set it against current rates of growth."

www.nielsen-netratings.com