US reluctance to force telecoms and cable operators to open up their networks to competitors has led to the country being overtaken in rankings of broadband penetration and affordability, according to a study for the Federal Communications Commission.

The study by the Berkman centre for internet and society at Harvard University could strengthen expectations of change in the stance held by the FCC for much of this decade, bringing the US into line with countries from the Netherlands to South Korea that have "open access" policies.