The CLA today issued a reminder not to forget the rural-urban digital divide during Get Online Week.
The Association warned that businesses and communities in rural areas without an adequate broadband service continue to be digitally disadvantaged.
CLA President William Worsley said: "One in five people in rural communities is still unable to connect to the internet effectively.
"Broadband access for rural areas is essential for their businesses to grow. Without broadband it will become harder for rural business to compete effectively with their urban counterparts."
Mr Worsley added: "Internet service providers must help to close the rural-urban digital divide. Broadband is an essential tool to help UK businesses recover from the current economic crisis."
