RURAL communities risk missing out on the benefits of faster broadband, says a report.

The document forecasts the future reach of next generation broadband across the UK.

It was published by the government on Thursday (4 March). A full copy can be downloaded here.

The report illustrates the comparative costs of providing high speed broadband in rural and urban areas.

It highlights the increased costs of providing to rural areas due to the distances involved and the small populations served.

By comparison, densely populated areas are easier to reach.

Rural Affairs Minister, Dan Norris said: “The availability of next generation broadband to rural communities and businesses is vital for their growth and social links.”

The study investigates the reach of super-fast broadband access up to 2017 based on three scenarios:

• a purely market-led approach
• a network subsidised by the government’s Digital Britain Next Generation Fund
• local interventions supplementing a subsidised network.

Without the right solutions, rural areas will be unable to take advantage of services provided by next-generation broadband, the report suggests.

These include employment opportunities, more cost effective and efficient local services and delivery of health care and independent living for the elderly.

Publication of the report came as new government body responsible for rolling-out next generation broadband started work.

The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) group aims to ensure the government meets its commitment to deliver 2Mbps to every household by 2012.

It will manage the spend of the £1billion Next Generation Fund to deliver next generation broadband to 90% of the country by 2017.

Digital Britain minister Stephen Timms said: “It’s important that all homes and businesses can access the opportunities faster speeds bring.

“This report makes clear that without public intervention, some rural areas and less well off communities will be left behind.”

Those communities would be unable to reap the economic, health and education benefits superfast broadband offers, Mr Timms warned.

“Our proposed £1billion Next Generation Fund will help bring the benefits of super fast broadband to more communities.

“We do not want to risk the digital gap widening, which is why we have put a team of experts in place to ensure further investment is targeted at those people without adequate access.”

The report was commissioned by Defra and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It was carried out by the Analysys Mason Group, a UK-based international consultancy specialising in telecommunications, technology and media.

The Government set out its plans for widespread Next Generation Access in the Digital Britain Report, published in June 2009.