Internet is vital to business in the East Midlands

A THIRD of East Midlands firms have said better internet connections are vital to the success of businesses in the region.

Broadband speed and reliability was the biggest single concern of regional businesses with 89 per cent highlighting the issue in the East Midlands Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey 2018.

The second biggest concern for companies was mobile connectivity which 69.5 per cent cited followed by better roads (69.1 per cent).

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said: “These provisional results confirm what we’ve been telling Government for some time, that connectivity is vital to business success, whether its broadband, mobile telepho- ny, roads, rail or air.

“We are already world-leaders when it comes to the technology that will drive the fourth industrial revolution but if we are to remain at the forefront of development in a post-Brexit global economy we must have the best connectivity, the fastest possible broadband, excellent mobile coverage, a 21st Century rail network, the best international air links and the roads as free from congestion as possible.”

The results from this Quarterly Economic Survey will help form the East Midlands Chamber’s Manifesto for Business for the year, which will be launched to MPs at Westminster later in the spring, and shape campaigns and lobbying activity for the rest of the year and beyond.