New research has shown that consumers are more concerned about broadband speeds than new innovations such as HDTV.

Market research company Silver Spring conducted the surveycomma which questioned representatives from the cable, telephone, satellite TV, broadcast and technology equipment industries.

Some 40 per cent of respondents ranked high broadband speeds to be the most attractive product for consumers.

A quarter of respondents stated that an HDTV service would be most popular among consumers, while offering a digital phone service came in last at 9.2 per cent.

Scott Sleek, director of Pike & Fischer's broadband advisory services, which commissioned the survey, said: "Every one wants to claim that they offer the fastest internet access and believe that will be more important to customers than how many HD channels they offer."

News of the research follows Ofcom's recent announcement that it is issuing a new code of practice aimed at ensuring that broadband providers offer greater clarity over customers' broadband line speeds.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent)