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UK Economy Buoyed by Growth in High-Tech SMEs

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 02/07/12 — 40 Per Cent Growth In Number Of SMEs Accessing High-Speed Business Broadband

Despite the economic gloom, the UK-s biggest Next Generation network operator is revealing today that 40 per cent more SMEs are accessing high-speed business broadband connections and next generation applications such as the cloud in the last 12 months alone.

Over 10,000 More SMEs Have Become Better Connected Over The Last 12 Months

The findings from customer data reveal that, over the last 12 months, 10,000 more small or medium-sized enterprises in the UK are now accessing a network that spans over 90 per cent of the country.

Businesses In Salisbury Are The Most Hi-Tech

In the last 12 months, Salisbury has seen the biggest growth in SMEs now accessing high-speed business broadband, with an increase of 46 per cent.

High Speed Business Broadband By Region

In contrast, Sheffield, Glasgow and Wakefield witnessed the smallest percentage increase in SMEs accessing the network, with the cities showing 14, 15 and 16 per cent growth respectively.

As a result of firms now being better connected, the last 12 months has also seen a 61 per cent increase in the number of employees working for SMEs which have high-speed broadband access – providing a shot in the arm for workforce productivity.

Andy Lockwood, TalkTalk Business- transformation director said: “Despite a pessimistic economic outlook, as the UKs largest business telecoms network provider, it is encouraging to see such a significant increase in SMEs now connected to high-speed business grade broadband.”

“Research we conducted estimated that UK SMEs are collectively losing GBP 357 million in wasted labour costs and suffering up to 32.4 million hours of downtime per month through a reliance on -domestic- rather than -business grade- broadband connectivity.”

“This underlines how vital it is for businesses of all sizes to be connected to a high speed network. It-s the gateway to the latest cloud technology and being on the right network increases speed and efficiency – ensuring long term economic growth.”

About Talk Talk Business

– TalkTalk Business (formerly known as Opal) provides communications solutions to UK organisations, serving the needs of over 180,000 business and public sector customers and working with over 350 business partners nationwide.

– The company has been dedicated to serving the needs of its customers across the UK since 1993.

– provides a full range of communications products including Access, Mobile, Call Handling Solutions, IP Telephone Systems, IT Networking & Security and Wholesale Business Broadband (L2TP).

– Following an investment of GBP 600M, TalkTalk Business has designed, built and now operates Britain-s biggest Next Generation Network, with over 90% coverage across the UK.

Contacts:
Press Office Enquiries:
Talk Talk Business
Tom, Gemma or Chris
0113 243 1117