VoIP solutions 'should be available' to rural communities

Rural businesses should have access to VoIP solutions if they are to remain competitive, according to experts.

Many firms in rural communities struggle to compete with their more technologically advanced rivals as they still do not have broadband access.

Without high-speed internet access, companies are unable to benefit from the reliability and efficiency of IP telephony solutions.

David Collier, chairman of Business Voice West Midlands Rural Economy Group, expressed his belief that rural businesses will continue to struggle without the technology.

He said: "The longer the digital divide continues between those businesses who have broadband connections and those businesses lacking such connections the worse it will be for rural communities where local job opportunities will be severely harmed."

Mr Collier also claims that, even if the government enables 90 per cent of the country to access broadband, the West Midlands may still lack next-generation broadband.

Hosted telephony solutions would allow rural businesses to make significant call savings, enabling them to bridge the gap between themselves and more advanced companies.