The integration of the internet and web-enabled services into our daily lives means that it doesn’t matter if you are running a local restaurant or a startup trying to become the next Facebook – fast and reliable broadband has become a necessity.
A slow connection will mean complaints form staff who cannot complete their tasks, managers who cannot access their projects, and even worse it could stop sales from going through.
Email and social media obviously require internet access, but even the phone systems in most modern offices have moved to VoIP technology, leaving a business isolated and likely unable to function if the internet connection goes down.
The internet has become critical to almost all businesses, as it is how most companies now source information, communicate with partners, and sell to customers. Companies that do not have a reliable broadband connection are at a major disadvantage, and will find it impossible to grow in the modern environment – the internet has become a requirement.
Luckily, the UK’s broadband sector is a competitive market, and comparison sites make finding the best deal for each specific situation and budget relatively easy. The likes of BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin media may control the vast majority of broadband connections with most now offering superfast fibre connections, but they are far from the only choices. The options range from the super-budget end of the spectrum, where broadband is only £2 per month with the likes of Fuel broadband, to the highly regarded and ultra reliable Zen Internet, which is a little bit more.
The UK broadband market offers a number of options to businesses and consumers, but the average speeds still pale in comparison with countries such as South Korea. According the recent Digital, Social & Mobile Worldwide in 2015 report, South Korea leads the world with 25.3Mbps average speeds, with Hong Kong and Japan coming second and third with 16.3Mbps and 15Mbps respectively. The UK’s speeds are improving, now coming in sixth place with 10.7Mbps, but if we are to continue to take a lead in the digital economy, British broadband suppliers need to invest in faster networks for everyone, not just those who live in the larger cities.
Photograph by Bill Burris