A new website has been launched to investigate the gap in broadband Internet performance around the UK. The 2013 UK Rural Broadband Survey (ruralbroadbandsurvey.com) combines a short questionnaire about quality of service received with an automatic speed test to build up a picture of the service experienced by Internet users in different areas across the UK.

The new study launches amid concerns over the state of broadband in the UK and fresh criticism of the government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme. The £1 billion project aims to connect 12 million rural households with broadband Internet, but has recently been described as “a train crash waiting to happen”.

The study is backed by Satellite ISP Bentley Walker (bentley-walker.com/tooway). Bentley Walker provide Internet via satellite to users requiring broadband access in remote locations around the world.

Neil Denyer, Sales Manager for Bentley Walker, explained: “Traditionally, demand for internet via satellite has centred on remote parts of the world that lack a developed telecoms infrastructure. In the UK the demand for fast, reliable broadband is now developing faster than the infrastructure to support it outside of our towns and cities.

"As a result we're seeing increasing demand in the UK from customers who are no longer satisfied with slow connections. Being involved in the Rural Broadband Survey is a great way for us to better understand where the wired network is falling short.”

The test itself takes just a couple of minutes to complete on all but the very worst of connections. Participants are also being rewarded for their involvement by being entered in a prize draw to win an iPad Mini.