Dorset businesses want high-speed internet link (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset businesses want high-speed internet link

10:53am Wednesday 24th February 2010 in

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BUSINESSES want to jump on an information superhighway, according to a new survey.

Almost two thirds of firms said they would like a broadband speed of over 10Mbps.

Only a small percentage of respondents said cost was an issue and many gave their thumbs up to a proposed 50p tax on all landlines to fund the next generation of fast broadband.

The Digital Taskforce survey was conducted by Dorset Business – the county’s chamber of commerce – and comes after a meeting with telecommunications giant BT and a similar poll conducted by Team Dorset to assess demand.

As main sponsor of the 2012 Olympics, BT is installing a high capacity broadband connection to Portland to cope with requirements for the Games.

It will be a major economic legacy if those links can be left in place after 2012.

A business case is being worked up to show BT there is a need and the surveys are supporting that case.

BT South West regional director Jon Reynolds said: “The business community must make their feelings known.

“BT is looking at the radical development of broadband in Dorset. But the last thing we want to do is spend millions on new technology and find nobody wants it.”

The survey showed that 59.4 per cent of the first 100 businesses that have responded so far would like a broadband speed of over 10Mbps.

Asked how much extra businesses would pay for faster speeds, 20.8 per cent would agree to pay an extra £30 a month but 18.8 per cent wanted the extra speed at no extra cost. The proposed 50p tax on all landlines to fund the next generation of fast broadband was welcomed by 64.4 per cent of respondents, with a third against the new levy.

Chief executive of Dorset Business Peter Scott said: “It would be a tragedy if businesses were not able to access high speed broadband, simply because service providers are not aware of the demand across Dorset, which this survey clearly substantiates.”

Survey results can be seen at surveymonkey.com/s/HCYBQ95