Rural firms stand to miss out on the government's fibre optic broadband rollout plans, according to the Forum of Small Businesses (FSB).

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has outlined plans to bring the technology to every community in the UK courtesy of an £830 million funding package.

However, national chairman of the FSB John Walker argued policymakers are failing to seriously address the problems that firms in remote areas have with their business broadband.

Mr Walker said research conducted by the body shows London is the only region in the UK not to have issues with broadband speeds and access.

"The FSB is concerned that the programme to invest in fibre-optic broadband is underfunded," he remarked.

His comments come in the wake of a study published by Be Wholesale, which found two-thirds of businesses believe the country's economy is being held back by poor internet connectivity.

Almost three-quarters of respondents told the Be Broadband subsidiary a faster and more reliable service would make them more competitive.

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