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Strike Up the Broadband

Peter Day visits businesses struggling with slow web speeds and evaluates the government's ambitious targets to increase internet speeds across the UK within three years.

The government's aim is clear: by 2015, it wants Britain to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe. The internet is so essential to businesses, the argument goes, that the network over which internet traffic travels is becoming a vital part of the UK's infrastructure - as important as energy and roads.
Right now, though, the country is a long way off from the target. Nowhere is this more apparent than in rural and remote areas of the country. In Norfolk, some small businesses are struggling just to get connected, much less plug into the high-speed network the government has pledged to help expand.
A decade ago, internet access was a luxury for many small firms, but today it's essential. Orders are placed and received online, a website is a key marketing tool for all sorts of companies, and businesses must now file VAT returns via a website.
This week on In Business, Peter Day evaluates the government's plans for broadband and finds out how close the UK is coming to a high-speed future online.

Producer: Mike Wendling.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Dec 2012 21:30

Contributors to this programme

Paul Bowness

Owner, Lucy’s Tea Rooms, Burham Market, Norfolk

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Karen O’Kane

Programme manager, Better Broadband for Norfolk

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David Cleevely

Founder of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University

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Toby Parkins

Founder, Headforwards, St Agnes, Cornwall

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Ed Vaizey MP

Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

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Liv Garfield

Chief executive, BT Openreach

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Mark Heraghty

Managing director, Virgin Media Business

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Robert George

Project manager, WiSpire

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David Broom

Director of operations, Diocese of Norwich

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Andrew Lawrence

Owner, Lawrence’s Garages, Norfolk

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Lord Inglewood

Chairman, Lords Select Committee on Communications

Broadcasts

  • Thu 13 Dec 2012 20:30
  • Sun 16 Dec 2012 21:30

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