Small firms must get broadband service they need, says FSB (From Watford Observer)

Small firms must get broadband service they need, says FSB

8:40am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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As the Digital Economy Bill is debated in the Lords next week, figures from the FSB-ICM survey of 1,300 small firms shows that a quarter (24 per cent) of respondents are dissatisfied with their broadband service.

Of those small firms that are dissatisfied, six in 10 (63 per cent) said they are unhappy with the speed and reliability of their internet connection supplied by their service provider.

Another 30 per cent said the area they live in has an unreliable broadband connection and 13 per cent said they would consider moving business premises to an area with faster broadband.

The FSB is concerned that small firms are being promised a service from their broadband supplier which is not being delivered.

The Government must ensure that good broadband infrastructure is put in place to ensure small firms and consumers get the broadband service they expect.

As the Digital Economy Bill is debated in the House of Lords, the FSB is urging the Government to ensure that the needs of small businesses and consumers are kept at the forefront of the debate and is calling for:

• Internet service providers to be obliged to deliver a minimum and guaranteed connection speed of 8Mb/s direct to business premises
• Internet service providers to be obliged to deliver a minimum and guaranteed connection speed of 8Mb/s direct to business premises
• The telecommunications ombudsman's remit to cover all service providers and their contractors
• Ofcom to act truly independently of the industry in order to ensure that small firms are getting a good deal