IA believes that the internet is an indispensable tool that is necessary to stay competitive globally and that access to high-speed internet service is not a luxury in today’s economy but rather, it is a necessity.
Broadband infrastructure plays a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of modern societies. As high-speed internet becomes more widely accessible, it enables businesses to operate more efficiently, supports innovation, and connects people to global markets.
Lauren Davies from bOnline comments: “Broadband has become one of the most important things for businesses and populations alike. Slow internet holds back growth and faster connectivity both in the case of business broadband and increasingly in home broadband with people working from home, plays a vital role in the UK economy’s progress. In the 21st Century, internet is and should certainly remain one of the most important considerations for businesses.”
What is Broadband?
Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that can grant you access to the full spectrum of online possibilities. Broadband has transformed internet access by offering far quicker speeds and facilitating a wider variety of online activities than the slow dial-up connections of the past.
Why is Broadband Access Important?
Having broadband access, or reliable high-speed internet access, allows people more affordable and efficient access to basic amenities such as education, health care, public safety and government services by giving people opportunities to participate in online learning and distance education.
What is the Digital Divide?
The digital divide is the gap created by unequal access to modern telecommunications technology among different demographic groups and regions. This can include inequalities in access to broadband, computers, smartphones, or digital literacy.
How Does Broadband Contribute to Economic Growth?
Improved high-speed broadband provision across the UK will enable people to better take advantage of all the content and services that the internet has to offer. Since the number of small and medium-sized businesses trading online is constantly increasing and research indicates that businesses that use e-commerce anticipate higher sales than those that do not, it will also allow UK businesses to offer their goods and services online, which will encourage economic growth.
What Benefits Will Broadband Have On the Economy?
Research recently published by the Internet Association, prepared by Public First, highlights the huge benefits on offer to the economy and society if every home receives universal gigabit broadband by 2025.
The research shows that a full rollout of gigabit broadband would have two main effects on productivity and economic growth:
- Saving Time: Cutting down on the amount of time it takes for customers and employees to complete tasks or download and view content, such as video conferences, DIY videos, and shared working platforms
- Enabling Innovation: Making possible entirely new types of business models or products. For example, new types of media, Internet of Things, augmented reality, and virtual reality applications.
How Many People Have Access To Broadband In the UK?
According to Ofcom data, 98% of premises in the UK already have access to a download speed of 10 Mbps, suggesting that in practice we already have near-universal basic broadband.
However, there is still a bit to cover when it comes to providing broadband for everyone but the government’s commitment to rolling out gigabit broadband and internet connection has the potential to provide a huge additional boost to the UK.
What Are the Benefits of Expanding Broadband?
Expanding broadband can provide a host of different benefits, including:
Economic Growth
Broadband can improve economic outcomes for consumers and communities. It can lead to higher property values, increased job and population growth, and lower unemployment rates.
Improved Healthcare
Expanding broadband can make healthcare more efficient and effective, especially for rural residents. It can provide them easier access to telemedicine which can, in turn, lower their medical costs.
Better Rural Connectivity
Broadband can help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas. This can make it possible for people and companies in far-flung places to interact with one another, use new technologies, and access online resources and services.
Educational Opportunities
If broadband expands, it can provide access to educational opportunities, such as university courses and online learning. It can also provide people who work full-time to further their degree and knowledge through remote and online courses.
Creates Jobs
Since the pandemic remote work has become the new normal and there’s higher demand for remote workers. Providing people without a stable connection, especially in rural areas, with broadband can help them get a job.
The Benefits of Business Broadband
No matter what sort of business you’re running, the odds are likely that you’ll need a strong broadband connection whether it’s a large or small business. Broadband can be an important tool in saving money and improving productivity. Here are a few of the benefits broadband can provide your business:
Faster Speeds
Faster speeds are frequently available for customers whose enterprises need business broadband. Most users of ordinary broadband will only care about download speeds, but business owners could also be worried about upload speeds, which are important if you’re hosting a website. If multiple employees are utilising your broadband at once, faster speeds are also necessary.
Better Customer Support
When your business relies on internet and phone line access, any outages can be incredibly harmful. That’s why many business broadband providers have improved customer services that give priority to business customers, allowing you to get any problems fixed quicker than if you had a standard broadband package.
Internet Security Included
These days, most business broadband packages come with an online security suite included in the bundle. Since there may be substantial financial or personal data involved, online security becomes even more crucial when operating a business.
Similar to how it would at home, online security software gives you peace of mind by shielding your data against viruses, phishing, fraud, and hacking.
Business Phone Services
Business broadband packages very often come bundled with phone services, much like home broadband. For businesses that make a lot of calls or deal over the phone, a dedicated line is essential, with business broadband able to get you a good rate.
If you’re working from home, you may want to separate your business line from your home line, as you don’t necessarily want potential customers or clients to have your home phone number.
