UK households are enjoying 22 per cent faster broadband speeds at home than they were 12 months ago, according to new Ofcom research.
In November 2011 the average residential broadband speed was 7.6Mb compared with 6.2Mb in December 2010.
The regulator says the increase is mainly due to consumers upgrading to packages offering higher speeds.
For the first time more than half (58 per cent) of UK residential connections had an advertised speed of above 10Mb.
However Ofcom say more than 4 in 10 broadband consumers remain on packages with speeds of 10Mb or less even though many could get higher speeds at little or no extra cost by switching package or provider.
Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards, said: “It is encouraging that speeds are increasing and that consumers have a real choice of broadband service.
“There is a real opportunity for consumers to look at the packages and deals in their area in order to receive the best value, speeds and performance available to them.
Richards also said consumers “can look forward to further increases in UK broadband speeds over the next few years” as providers increase the speeds they’re offering.