Ofcom outlines SME communications plans

Ofcom has announced new plans to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve their communications systems.

The body stated that all UK SMEs should be able to take advantage of competition and innovation in the communications market, as well as receiving regulatory protection wherever it is necessary for them.

Specialist research has been commissioned by Ofcom, with the organisation set to assess business broadband needs in 2015, as well as examining how companies are also facing changing requirements from their business phone systems.

Ofcom also unveiled plans to work regionally with Ofcom’s Advisory Committees in the Nations in order to understand the experiences of UK SMEs in the 21st century.

The body revealed its new business web portal, which offers SMEs advice and support on how to improve their communications.

Ofcom research previously found that 85 per cent of SMEs felt well-served by the communications market. However, the organisation's poll also discovered that some smaller companies had concerns around obtaining new services and their reliability.

The body said: "Following this research and a request for industry feedback, Ofcom is considering what policies might address these concerns, and expects to outline next steps in spring 2015."

Ofcom’s Consumer Experience of 2014 report also found nine per cent of broadband users remain dissatisfied with their service. This did not compare favourably with the other areas looked at by the study, with just per cent of mobile users saying that they were unhappy with the service they received. This figure fell to just four per cent of landline callers and four per cent of TV viewers.

"People in the UK increasingly depend on telephone, broadband, broadcasting and postal services in their personal and professional lives," Ofcom noted.

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.