
Jason Downes, MD, Powwownow, said:
“At a time when workplace productivity relies on employers offering smarter ways of working, be it through flexible hours or remote working, every household in the country should have access to an internet connection that allows them to get online quickly and simply. “From research we know that businesses will ask their employees to adopt smarter ways of working in early 2017 and beyond, and while we actively encourage them to do so, productivity will be hampered if people don’t have basic access to a good broadband connection outside of central London. “He should have started by helping the areas of the UK which are still struggling to achieve a basic internet connection.”Will Stewart, VP of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, said:
“Fast, reliable broadband is crucial for the success of industry – including small businesses, which are vital to the economy and innovation but currently have to operate with sporadic and unreliable broadband, particularly in more rural areas.Dan Howdle, consumer telecoms expert and director of communications, Cable.co.uk, said:
“There still remains millions of households in the UK for whom adequate broadband is a daily struggle. “The DCMS and Openreach are already pushing hard to reduce this number substantially through it’s Broadband Delivery UK programme (BDUK) which aims to, and indeed is on target to achieve 95% of homes in the UK receiving at least 24Mbps by next year. “While it is commendable that the Treasury considers broadband provision in the UK worthy of additional governement funding, it is utterly absurd that this funding should provide to a minority speeds for which there is no known or useful purpose while so many others struggle for anything approaching basic adequacy.Marcus Jewell, VP EMEA at Brocade, said:
“For too long huge swathes of the country have been stuck with poor connectivity, considering the UK’s position as a technology powerhouse this was never acceptable. “This announcement is a key next step for the UK’s digital infrastructure, as it will not only improve connectivity for homes and businesses, but provide the critical foundations needed to handle the huge data demands of our future smart cities. “The increased availability of full-fibre broadband and the trials of 5G internet promised by the government investment is especially vital if the UK is going to maintain its position as a digital innovator and keep up with economies where fibre broadband has been the default install for some time.”This article is part of our Real Business Broadband campaign, which seeks to provide a mouthpiece for business leaders to vocalise the broadband issues preventing their businesses from reaching full potential. We’d love to hear your take on the debate and where you think the UK needs to make drastic changes. Get in touch via email (shane.schutte@realbusiness.co.uk) or join in on the action using #rbBroadband.
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