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Broadband

Volume 408: debated on Wednesday 9 July 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the benefits of broadband access for small and medium-sized businesses. [124256]

The Government believe that the key benefits of broadband for small and medium-sized businesses, as for all businesses, are speed and convenience. A broadband connection can carry 10 times more information than a narrow-band (dial-up) connection. Broadband services can change the way businesses operate, enabling new markets to be reached with potentially beneficial effects on productivity and competitiveness. Broadband allows businesses to respond faster to their customers' needs; supports greater flexibility in working practices; and with its fixed cost, allows businesses to budget more effectively.

Through UK Online for Business, we continue to look at the benefits provided by broadband connection when promoting the use of this important technology. Evidence of benefits has come mainly in the form of case studies, where individual experiences in the use of broadband are examined. These case studies have shown that small and medium-sized businesses achieve real benefits through faster transmission, constant connection and increased productivity. Installation and connection costs have been seen to be outweighed by the benefits achieved.