smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

The slow internet speeds in Britain will have a negative impact on SMEs, says an industry expert.

Michael Phillips, Broadband Choices product director, says the productivity of employees working remotely or from home can suffer due slow internet connections.

'In terms of there being a longer term economic threat, we are a long way behind the rest of Europe both in terms of how much we pay for it and the speeds we are getting,' he states.

The impact of a slow broadband connection will increase as the amount of data that we look to transfer grows, he adds.

Phillips believes the 'old copper infrastructure' which delivers broadband in this country needs to be overhauled.

'If Britain wants economic development in all parts of the UK, not just London, we need to spend the money on building a next generation network, with carbon fibre technology,' he concludes.

Many believe that the introduction of a faster connection network would benefit business and individuals. However, recent research published by Broadband Choices suggests people may be unwilling to pay more for the service.

Only 40 per cent indicated they would be willing to pay extra.

There are currently no comments on this article