Clients often equate a higher level of service with a higher account minimum, people in the industry say.

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"Last month, I announced that we were supporting a universal service level of 2 Mbps as the very minimum that should be available, " said Mr Hunt at an industry conference on 15 July.

BBC: Broadband Britain rollout delayed by three years

At first they invested in a basic-level membership that had the lowest monthly fee and a two-figure monthly minimum on dining service.

NPR: Weak Housing Market May Not Be Signal to Buy