North West 'broadband lottery' revealed in report
North West 'broadband lottery' revealed in report
Businesses in the North West are struggling with slower broadband speeds than many domestic users, according to a new report.
More than a third of businesses in the region were stuck with broadband speeds of less than 17.9 Mbps, the average for household users across the UK. The research, by Deloitte, also found that there were huge differences in speeds and service across the region.
The study was a repeat of the research the firm initially carried out last year. Most businesses saw a slight improvement in connectivity speeds compared to 12 months ago, but there were still huge differences in their services, depending on where they were based.
Jodi Birkett, TMT partner at Deloitte in the North West, told the Manchester Evening News: “A year has passed but the lottery continues. A fast broadband connection isn’t a luxury – it’s completely essential for all businesses. There needs to be a better standard in the region if we’re to compete with other regions.”
She said that more needed to be done to improve the broadband infrastructure in rural areas and places with smaller populations.
The study found wide variations in broadband speed across the North West with Spinningfields at the top of the table with 87.90 Mbps, followed by Oxford Road in Manchester which could access speeds of 68.34 Mbps.
However, at the bottom end of the league, South Lakes businesses only received speeds of 4.03 Mbps and Bolton town centre actually saw a year-on-year reduction in speeds to 4.35 Mbps.
Ms Birkett said the UK’s average broadband speeds were “comparatively good” compared to other developed nations but there was a lack of consistency.
She added: “Businesses need great connectivity, and they shouldn’t have to be located in the city centre in order to get it.”
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(Image: Kainet)
