Business broadband 'could be satellite-based'

Foreign secretary William Hague has been told in no uncertain terms that the future of the UK's business broadband sector should be based on fibre connections as well as those from satellites.

Entrepreneur Gerald McDonald, of Gatenby, near Northallerton, recently met the politician to discuss the country's infrastructure, reported the Northern Echo.

He urged him to follow the lead set by Wales, where internet links have been improved by a series of government grants and incentives.

Mr Hague was asked to consider rolling out a similar project in England, allowing small firms access to cash to upgrade their business broadband.

While fibre broadband is the ultimate dream, there are other solutions on the market that could be used to raise speeds in the short term.

"Rather than handing NYnet millions of pounds to deliver this why not empower local people and let them find their own solution?" asked Mr McDonald.

Northumberland County Council is looking to secure £7 million from the government to upgrade the region's high-speed internet, the Berwick Advertiser recent reported.