Just three percent of UK Net users use broadband, according to the latest Government statistics.

The figures confirm the UK’s lacklustre broadband performance and shows that dial-up access continues to dominate Net access.

However, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) points out that while dial-up usage grew by only 0.3 per cent in December 2001, broadband access increased by 10 per cent in the same month.

Critics point out that this is just a statistical anomaly since broadband usage is at such a low base.

However, it's possible that broadband could begin to take off if BT's pledge to deliver a "substantial cut in the cost of wholesale broadband services" is carried through.

BT boss Ben Verwaayen is due to make an announcement on that within the next week or so.

A spokesman for the telco declined to comment on speculation that wholesale costs could fall to as low as £15 a month. ®

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