The CMA Internet Opportunity Survey, supported by the FSB, shows that many small businesses cannot access broadband connections and so it hampers their productivity and ability to grow – nine per cent cannot access broadband at all, and 22 per cent cannot access current generation broadband at least one of their sites.
For the 84 per cent that can use current generation broadband, there is a marked difference in the typical speeds they receive, but more than a quarter can only just obtain speeds considered by Government to be a minimum level of service – 2Mbps.
The Government has made a commitment to ensure there is universal broadband coverage by 2015 and superfast broadband coverage for 90 per cent of the population in each local authority by 2015. However, at a breakfast meeting with The Department for Culture, Media and Sport on broadband, the FSB raised concerns that a divide will still remain between urban and rural areas as more urban parts of the country receive superfast broadband and rural areas are left in the ‘digital’ dark. A fast, reliable and guaranteed broadband service is crucial for small businesses wherever they are as the Government looks to them for greater economic growth.
Access to broadband allows small firms to expand into new markets, and allows staff to work flexibly. In 2009, the internet contributed £100 billion to UK GDP and annual online sales grew faster from small and medium enterprises than larger companies between 2004 and 2008. So the potential for growth among small firms is great – the Government just needs to ensure they give firms the right tools – including broadband infrastructure – to achieve this.