RURAL businesses and communities have given a mixed response to "Super Switch on Day" giving thousands of local homes and fims access to superfast broadband.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport billed the government-funded "switch on" as an early Christmas present for rural communities.

Upgrading of broadband cabinets across the nation gave many local homes and businesses access to superfast broadband speeds for the first time.

The total number of premises expected to have access to superfast speeds by Christmas as a result of the rollout now exceeds 200,000.

They include an additional 5000 homes and businesses in towns and villages in Wiltshire & South Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent & Medway, Cheshire, the Cotswolds and Shropshire.

Culture secretary Maria Miller said: "We are now witnessing an incredible transformation of superfast broadband in Britain, and we are already well ahead of other major European countries in many respects.

"We're determined to ensure that everyone benefits and that broadband is available in the very hardest to reach areas of Britain, making a real difference to people who live in these communities.

"Today's "switch on" of cabinets across the country takes us yet another step closer to fulfilling our promise of giving superfast speeds to 95% of Britain by 2017."

The charity Action with Communities in Rural England urged rural customers to sign up so that they can reap the benefits.

ACRE chief executive Janice Banks said: "It's great news that government is on course to deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of the UK by 2017

"The benefits of getting on line are huge for rural businesses, the farming and tourism sectors and for individuals too.

"Businesses can communicate much more easily with suppliers, win new customers and access new markets. Employees can work remotely, cutting down on the need for office space and travel.

"Farmers will have the ability to use new digital services, such as gaining access to a vet online, using video footage of animals - and receiving Common Agricultural Policy payments online from 2015.

"Tourism businesses need superfast broadband to be able to host conferences effectively and allow their business customers to work.

"For families in rural communities, who often have to travel miles to access services, being able to shop and bank online will make a real difference to everyday lives.

"Children will be able to access the internet to help them with their homework, and being able to join virtual communities through social media will benefit people of any age who feel lonely or isolated.

"People will have greater access to information about health, benefits and advice services."

But Ms Banks said ACRE remained concerned about the 5% of the UK that would not be covered by 2017, which are among the most isolated rural areas of the country.

She added: "Many people in rural communities ask us when they are going to get superfast broadband and it can be a difficult question to answer.

"Coverage and information on who gets what, where and when is evolving all the time."

The Country Land and Business Association also voiced concerns.

Despite the government's 'Super Switch On Day', many rural areas still could not get superfast broadband, it said.

It was worrying that the government continued to fail to recognise that large swathes of the countryside remained unable to access broadband.

CLA president Henry Robinson said: "By dubbing today 'Super Switch On Day' the government is ducking the issue that vast areas of the countryside remain without broadband.

"While we have consistently supported the Government's objective in trying to connect communities to superfast broadband, the original deadline of 90% of the country getting superfast broadband by 2015 will not be met.

"There is also no guarantee the new objective of 95% by 2017 will be met either."

The CLA has lobbied for rural broadband for more than a decade, and consistently stressed that broadband is vital for rural business and to stimulate economic growth.

Mr Robinson said the statement showed no recognition of the government's Universal Service Commitment to get broadband speeds of at least two megabits per second to all rural areas.

He added: "If the government agrees with the CLA that broadband is an essential tool for prosperity, it must put in place a framework that makes this objective a reality."