United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Small businesses hit out at BT’s broadband decision
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has lambasted BT’s refusal to upgrade rural exchanges to broadband unless enough customers pre-order the service.
At present, broadband, which facilitates high speed and high quality internet access, is available to 60% of the population through ADSL cable access. But small businesses are frustrated by the slow progress that has been made towards nationwide coverage. The FSB is also concerned that, left to the market, remote rural areas may never get broadband.
FSB IT Chairman Peter Scargill said: “We understand that BT is working remove the barriers rural businesses face with broadband connectivity particularly in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. But there will not be large numbers of people pre-ordering what they see as a lost cause. To add insult to injury for the rural businesses that are stuck with ISDN and Surftime, BT has announced that from 1st of July, Surftime will increase from £19.99 to £25.00 a month – a stunning 25% increase.”
He added: “Successive e-commerce ministers have promised that there will be universal, affordable access to broadband throughout the UK. If the government wants a ‘Broadband Britain’, ministers should consider subsidies to accelerate the rollout of a competitively-priced broadband service to all areas of the UK.”
This article was supplied by TravelMole’s sister site, accountingweb.co.uk
Related News Stories:
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled