The European Commission (EC) approved record levels of aid for broadband development in its various member states last year.

More than €1.8 billion (£1.5 billion) of funding was approved over 20 projects in 2010, including the next generation broadband initiative in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly involving BT.

This scheme is designed to transform the area into one of the best connected regions in the world over the coming years, with the telecoms giant revealing in excess of 10,000 businesses in eight Cornish communities will have access to fibre optic broadband by the end of March.

Joaquin Almunia, the EC's vice president for competition policy, said the administration is dedicated to helping European Union (EU) countries accelerate investments in broadband from both the public and private sectors.

"Smart investments into high- and very-high-speed broadband infrastructures are crucial to create jobs, increase economic performance and to unlock the competitive potential of the EU in the long term," he added.

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