Slow broadband could be damaging London economy

Slow broadband could be damaging London economy

Slow and unreliable broadband could be damaging London’s economy, it has been suggested.

The London Assembly’s Economy Committee has claimed that broadband issues may discourage high-tech businesses from locating in London.

Recent GLA data found that London’s broadband connections are often lower quality than those elsewhere, with an average download speed in the capital of 5.8Mbps. This compares to averages of 29.9Mbps in Seoul and 15Mbps or more in Osaka, Tokyo, Hamburg, Cologne, Rotterdam and Helsinki.

According to the report, London is not even in the top 30 cities in the world for broadband quality. This is despite there being over 23,000 software and ICT companies based in the capital and despite the fact that technology and telecommunications collectively account for 47 per cent of jobs in the UK.

David Hodges, panel member and digital policy adviser for the London Chamber of Commerce, said, “It is essential in a global economy that we have connectivity and capacity to work around the world using the internet.”

The committee panellists noted that workers increasingly need to be able to get online on the move, whether they’re at home, in hotels or even in the street.

Hodges said, “We are keen for WiFi to be available in as many public places as possible, and keen for it to be free. We want start-ups and business people on the move to be able to do work and use their time as productively as possible. A great start has been made in Kensington and Chelsea, but lots of other boroughs could benefit.”

East London’s tech city has been identified as a priority. The Centre For London think tank recently found that many of the digital firms situated there are having to wait too long to get their broadband up and running.

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