The Communications Consumer Panel is set to focus its efforts on helping the 40 percent of the UK who are not yet online.
Britons who do not currently use the internet must have their interests protected, according to the Communications Consumer Panel.
Around 40 percent of the UK's population is currently not online and the panel - which was established to advise industry watchdog Ofcom on consumer interest - said it would be focusing its attention on making this group important in any government policies on broadband access.
"Broadband will soon be an essential part of people's lives, but being unable to use online services will put many people at a significant disadvantage - broadband will no longer be just 'nice to have'," said the group's chair Anna Bradley.
The government has pledged to ensure everyone in the UK is able to access broadband capable of speeds of at least 2Mbps. While Ms Bradley believes this is an "important commitment", she warns that "this is just the beginning; the barriers to take up include: cost, skills, the design of equipment, online security and perhaps critically, the provision of content that will inspire or encourage people to get online".
Under its work plan for 2009/10, the panel will work on various issues, including influencing the government over which internet services should be available to everyone.
