Ofcom: More needs to be done for business broadband

Many small businesses in the UK are still working with slower broadband speeds than are available to consumers, according to Ofcom.

In its latest annual Connected Nations survey, the telecoms regulator found that just 68 per cent of SMEs have access to superfast broadband, which Ofcom defines as speeds of 30 Mbps, while 83 per cent of the UK as a whole can access these speeds.

In total Ofcom states that 400,000 of Britain's small businesses are unable to access superfast broadband. Furthermore, around half of firms that are operating out of business parks cannot even access broadband speeds of 10 Mbps or faster.

Superfast broadband is typically defined as speeds of 24 Mbps and above, but Ofcom's higher standards is pushing providers to ensure they go above and beyond this mark.

John Allan, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, commented on the findings of the Connected Nations report: "We know poor access and understanding of the availability of superfast broadband has been a long-standing problem for the UK’s smaller businesses. Progress is being made, but too many small firms remain stuck in the slow lane.

"This report underlines the importance of the Government’s new commitment to a 10 Mbps Universal Service Obligation [USO]. This timely measure will help to set an acceptable baseline for speed and quality which will allow firms to take advantage of the benefits of doing more online."

Mr Allan went on say that the USO, while a positive step, must be expanded to include specific targets and standards for small businesses, which rely on fast and reliable broadband.

Indeed, the Ofcom report stated that while the Government might achieve its target of getting 95 per cent of Britain access to superfast broadband, this will still leave around 17 per cent of small businesses without it.

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