Dorset needs faster broadband

That’s the conclusion of the Dorset Business’ Digital Taskforce survey from Dorset Chamber (of Commerce & Industry). It found that 64 per cent require a connection speed of over 10Mbps (megabits per second) and 86 per cent want to achieve this within the next 12 months.

Of those surveyed, 39 per cent currently receive between just 1 and 4Mbps on their broadband connection, while 31 per cent have from 5 to 8Mbps.

BT supplies broadband to 43 per cent of those questioned while Virgin provides 10 per cent. Currently, 33 per cent pay up to £20 a month for broadband and 27 per cent pay up to £30 a month. The research found that most respondents don’t want to pay more.

Last year, the Dorset Chamber Council created the Digital Dorset Taskforce, to pursue the faster broadband project, initially with BT, which will install high capacity broadband to Portland in its role as a sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Two fibre optic cables are being laid to Portland and these cables will also serve the towns of Bournemouth and Poole.

The Digital Dorset Taskforce is led by Dr Monica Seeley of the Mesmo Consultancy in Bournemouth and includes Mike Wright, immediate past president of Dorset Chamber and former managing director of Newsquest Dorset, publishers of the Daily Echo and Dorset Chamber magazine; Matthew Beaumont, Dorset Chamber multi-area agreement programme manager; Michel Hooper-Immins, secretary of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; and Bournemouth computer specialist Luke Williams.

“Fast broadband is vital for nearly every business, which needs to transfer information electronically,” said Dr Seeley.

“While large companies can often throw money at the issue, smaller companies cannot.

“If we cannot deliver affordable fast broadband, Dorset risks losing employers and micro-businesses as they look to other locations. This will have an impact both on our economy and the calibre of business people who choose to work in Dorset.”

Dorset Chamber chief executive Peter Scott added: “We must look beyond the now relatively short-term needs associated with the Olympics and help create a digital infrastructure that further boosts the competitiveness of businesses in Dorset.”

Later in the year, C4L, the Bournemouth internet provider will run a faster broadband trial.

C4L says it could provide 10Mbps wireless broadband to some areas of Dorset for £30 a month.

BT says that 12 Dorset exchanges have already been upgraded: Boscombe, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Northbourne, Parkstone, Poole, Westbourne, Weymouth, Wimborne and Winton.