Announcing the news, David Edmonds Director General of Telecommunications said:

"Figures from telecoms operators show that the UK has reached one million high speed broadband connections.

"This take up shows that consumers recognise the power of broadband to deliver high speed Internet access into their homes.

"The number of broadband connections has risen from half a million to one million in six months, with new connections running at over 20,000 per week.

"Oftel has helped to create the most competitive broadband market in Europe through the huge amount of work we have undertaken in a number of areas.

"Broadband is available to consumers through many different service providers using a variety of different networks, resulting in increased choice and lower prices. UK consumers now have access to some of the lowest prices for broadband services in Europe.

"There is also a thriving narrowband Internet access market with a wide range of ISPs offering pay-as-you-go and unmetered access packages."

Oftel has promoted competition by ensuring access to BT’s network through broadband interconnection arrangements and local loop unbundling.

Network competition exists between NTL, Telewest and BT. BT must make wholesale broadband products available to service providers on the same terms as for its own retail service providers. Over 100 service providers use these products to deliver services to consumers and businesses.

Broadband services are delivered to residential and business customers using a range of technologies including DSL, cable modems, fixed wireless networks and satellite.