Broadband expansion important for businesses
Broadband expansion important for businesses
Developing and improving the infrastructure behind the UK's broadband system is an important part of getting businesses back up and running again after the recession.
This is according to recent comments from deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who has pledged to boost the country's economy by pushing through major infrastructure projects. Rail and road plans will also take the spotlight alongside the broadband expansion.
The banking crisis of 2008 set off a “chain reaction that continues to reverberate around the globe”, noted Mr Clegg at a speech at the London School of Economics. In the face of the resulting slugging growth, the deputy prime minister explained that the government has no intention of 'sitting on its hands' and will instead take action to help businesses, partly by making broadband more accessible and reliable.
He added: “The reality we face is stark; there is now little margin for error. But that does not mean we are helpless. It does not mean we intend to sit on our hands while the economy falters.”
The news comes as BT Openreach announces the names of the next 114 telephone exchanges that are to receive super-fast broadband. This is the latest stage of a plan that intends to provide around 16 million homes and businesses – or two thirds of the country – with fibre-based broadband by the end of 2015.
The premises identified by the company will be upgraded by the autumn of 2012.
However, businesses in remote areas could be held back by a slow or unreliable internet connection, so those that are keen to ensure that their connections are up to scratch might want to consider leased lines, especially if their area is not yet covered by national broadband networks.
