Fast business broadband 'is vital to SME growth'

A failure to deploy high-speed business broadband services around the country could be disastrous for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to grow.

Dick Jarvis, chairman of the Cambridge East branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, told Cambridge First that areas in which such infrastructure is not in place become bottlenecks for companies.

He noted the example of one of the business leaders who belongs to the branch, with Mr Francis explaining that the individual wants to expand his firm but is being held back by the lack of super-fast business broadband it requires.

"Because his is an internet-based business, he wants high-speed internet," said Mr Francis, bemoaning the fact this is not more widely available.

Access to the best broadband can allow firms to deploy the latest technology, accelerating growth and driving efficiency gains.

The good news for businesses is that BT Openreach is in the process of deploying a 110Mbps internet service in the UK, with a 300Mbps option to follow next year.