UK business broadband 'pitifully slow'
The government has been urged to do more to boost business broadband across the UK, with one entrepreneur slamming the speeds available as "pitifully slow".
John Keedwell of London-based Epics Academy stated that technology is moving so fast that the government must be more ambitious with its infrastructure targets.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Keedwell explained his business broadband speed is around the 38Mb mark, which means it is often difficult to transfer large video files. In contrast, he has a contact in the Netherlands who has access to speeds of 140Mb.
Mr Keedwell suggested that chancellor George Osborne should divert more funds into boosting business broadband infrastructure across the UK.
He said: "I'm a bit nonplussed really. He seemed to be going for the bigger things and broadband is not that important, as they see it. It doesn't seem to be that high on the agenda which is a bit disappointing. Maybe they think of stamp duty and things like that as higher priority right now.
"But it was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t mentioned at all. I’m not sure where this leaves us in the near future. Have they forgotten about it?"
The government has added £40 million of funding into its voucher scheme that enables small businesses to improve their broadband connections, but take-up of the offer has been low.
Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander stated that the new vouchers are going to be made available on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Business broadband infrastructure has also been criticised by Country Land and Business Association president Henry Robinson, who said progress has been slower than a dial-up connection.
He told the Farmers Guardian: "Ensuring universal access to a modern broadband connection is vital to ending the economic disadvantage faced by rural areas."
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.
(Image: Kings Sutton)
