THE government says it is continuing to look at ways of improving rural broadband services.

Two thirds of premises in the UK now have superfast broadband available, culture secretary Maria Miller told the House of Commons on 18 April.

Some 100,000 more homes and businesses were getting coverage every week and average speeds had increased from 5.2 megabits in May 2010 to 12 megabits by November 2012.

Ms Miller was responding to parliamentary questions asking what progress the government had made increasing the rollout of superfast broadband connections.

There were some rural communities where the last mile remained a problem, said Alun Cairns, Tory MP for the Vale of Glamorgan.

He asked: "What consideration has she given to reviewing the regulations to empower rural communities to take more control in assisting in the rolling out of broadband to their areas?"

Ms Miller replied that the government have committed to a broadband speed of 2 megabits on a universal basis throughout the country.

"We also have a £20 million rural community broadband fund to do the sorts of things he mentions, including working with the Welsh Assembly to make sure broadband reaches rural areas.

"Importantly, we are also always looking at ways to remove barriers that are stopping that last mile, and I will continue to work with my honourable friend and other colleagues on that."

Two thirds of premises in the country now had access to superfast broadband.

The internet contributed more than 8% to the UK economy – the highest proportion in any G8 country, said Ms Miller.

"We are impatient for more change, but we have already made a great deal of progress."

She added: "Broadband has a fantastic role to play, and we are making sure it reaches more and more households. Indeed, it will reach 10m more households by the end of this parliament."