BROADBAND has emerged as a key issue for almost one in five voters ahead of the general election.

Nearly one fifth (18%) of voters say broadband speeds will affect the way they vote, according to a survey of 2,500 UK residents by comparison site Cable.co.uk.

With the two leading parties neck and neck in opinion polls, broadband policy could decide which party triumphs, it added.

Many rural areas continue to languish behind towns and cities when it comes to broadband speeds. 

Broadband expert and Cable.co.uk editor-in-chief Dan Howdle said the survey showed how important the issue had become.

"It's likely no coincidence that the one in five households in the UK that are yet to have superfast broadband deals made available to them matches proportionately to those who say broadband will affect the way they intend to vote.

"No doubt this is, in part at least, due to the fact that no party manifesto has promised to roll out superfast broadband to 100% of households, and to a deadline acceptable to those whose homes, businesses and childrens' educations are respectively isolated, diminished or stunted by poor connectivity.

"Comparing broadband to the headline issues, it is ironic that while parties seek to connect with us on immigration, welfare and the deficit, those getting a raw deal on connection itself wield the power to swing this election."

Those surveyed also said they want a minimum broadband speed, on average, of 32Mbps – 600 times faster than the speed broadband providers are legally obligated to supply.

The government recently announced plans to raise the universal broadband service obligation (USO) – the minimum internet speed UK telecoms companies supply to consumers – from 'dial-up' to 5Mbps.

Meanwhile, the government plans to ensure that everybody can access a basic broadband speed of at least 2Mbps by early 2016.