FSB demands better internet for small enterprises

A new survey of 1,136 small businesses around the UK has found that 30 per cent failed to achieve download speeds of more than the standard 10Mbps, with the figure further rising to 39 per cent in rural areas.

The report, titled ‘Lost Connectivity’ and produced by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), revealed that nearly 50 per cent of those polled struggled to receive reliable mobile signals as well.

The Federation’s findings come in response to the upcoming Universal Service Obligation (USO), by which ISPs will be required to provide the minimum download speed of at least 10Mbps to all those who desire it. The legally-binding USO will mean that broadband operators need to deliver such speeds to anyone who demands it, including to those in difficult-to-reach regions across the country.

According to those surveyed, 47 per cent of small companies admitted that they were receiving speeds far below what they were promised by their ISPs, with 70 per cent claiming to access less than the 10Mbps threshold. Similarly, 45 per cent noted that they could not access a good mobile connection to assist their business dealings.

However, 52 per cent noted that once it became available in their areas, they would switch to full-fibre FTTP networks, which will provide ultrafast speeds.

Chairman of the FSB, Mike Cherry, said: “Unfortunately, an unreliable internet connection and poor phone signal are familiar challenges for small businesses across the UK.

“Government is promising ambitious full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband targets, which are very much welcomed, but now must translate words into action to help millions of small businesses. There’s still a huge number of small firms not even getting download speeds of at least 10Mbps – what is termed as a ‘decent’ connection. We need Government to fully commit to every premises receiving at least that by the end of 2021 by overcoming the infrastructure and market-related issues that are preventing this.”