Just 12 years ago we watched as the UK superfast footprint passed the 65% mark. Jump forward and today we see the much faster and reliable full-fibre networks covering an impressive 65.06% of the UK.
It doesn’t stop here though. In fact, it’s predicted that the UK will reach 85% full-fibre coverage by July 2025 and 85% Gigabit coverage by September this year (Gigabit coverage is currently at 82.08%). The difference between the two figures is because the older Virgin Media O2 coax/fibre hybrid network can deliver Gigabit speeds.
However Anthony Karibian, founder and CEO of bOnline which specialises in fibre broadband for small and micro businesses specifically, says there’s still some way to go: “This is great news for medium and large businesses that are located in densely populated commercial areas. But according to our research less than 20% of businesses on the high street still don’t have access to high speed fibre. In fact, most of our micro business customers still must contend with ADSL and FTTC (hybrid fibre running on copper)”
Why Is Fibre Broadband So Important For Small Businesses?
Fibre broadband plays a crucial role for UK small businesses in particular. Firstly, it significantly increases the speed and reliability of your internet connection in comparison to the traditional copper-based set-up.
With demand for bandwidth-intensive applications like remote work and video streaming only going up, fibre broadband is the answer to smoother and more stable connectivity. Happy staff, happy customers and a more professional image.
Secondly, fibre broadband means that digital services can be accessed more easily, no matter whether your business is based in a city or more rural location. In years gone by, rural regions have been known to suffer from poor internet connectivity due to the limitations of older infrastructure.
By expanding the reach of fibre broadband, the government is looking to create equal opportunities for employment, education and economic development. Access to high-speed internet means that small businesses and households in more rural areas can more easily access things like educational resources or starting up an online business.
Finally, fibre broadband underpins the UK’s ambitions for technological innovation and digital transformation. As new technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and virtual reality become more and more integrated into everyday life, a high-speed, robust internet infrastructure is key in supporting their implementation.
Fibre broadband not only speeds up the adoption of these technologies but also encourages economic growth and more job prospects. It’s not just about improving internet speed, but about boosting the UK’s position on the world stage, now and into the future.
Plus, with the landline switch-off coming down the tracks next year, many small business owners are turning to VoIP as the main alternative. And VoIP, with its crystal clear sound and numerous call management features – offers a far better experience over fibre broadband than standard business broadband.
