EEF comments on inquiry into establishing world-class connectivity throughout the UK
21/07/2016 MAKE UK
Commenting on the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into establishing world-class connectivity throughout the UK, Chris Richards, Senior Business Environment Policy Adviser at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, says: "(Today's) report from the Committee, which is critical of BT's past and future investment plans, will resonate with manufacturers who have been on the receiving end of poor reliability and service levels over the past few years. Manufacturers have had to invest significantly in leased lines as a stop gap measure while the UK's digital infrastructure is slowly and, somewhat begrudgingly, brought up to be best in class. It can't be right that much needed improvement to Britain's digital infrastructure is only pursued on an iterative basis using only commercial interest."As industry prepares to make significant investments in new internet connected capital equipment as part of the 4th industrial revolution, it will need certainty about future digital infrastructure in the UK. Today's report reinforces our view that the Government must move from being a passive player to taking leadership by mandating a full Fibre to the Premise rollout to create the dynamic business environment firms will need now more than ever."
EEF's research shows:
· 91% of manufacturers say a high speed internet connection is as essential to business as electricity and water
· Over a third of manufacturers are spending more than £5,000 pa on internet connections (23% of small manufacturers, 50% of mid-sized and 89% of large)
· A third of manufacturers have invested in a dedicated leased line connection
· 62% of firms plan to invest more in internet connected capital equipment in the next five years
· Just over 50% of manufacturers say their current internet connection isn't adequate enough for their expected needs over the next five years (only 35% said it was)
The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report can be viewed here.
For more information, please visit: www.eef.org.uk/fourthindustrial
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