news story

26th January 2009

Local Small Businesses Get a Taste of the Future!

FSB Chairman Steve Birch, Bob Challacombe of BT Openreach, and Northavon MP Steve Webb

At an event organised by local MP Steve Webb, South Gloucestershire small businesses have been given a taste of the future at Thornbury telephone exchange. The meeting was jointly organised with the Forum of Small Business, was hosted by BT, and was attended by more than 20 representatives of local small businesses.

The focus of the event was on plans to roll out the next generation of 'superfast' broadband internet services. Whilst larger businesses can currently buy in high-speed broadband lines, smaller businesses are likely to have to wait until the network is upgraded over the coming years.

During the meeting there were presentations from BT representatives and questions from the floor before a fascinating tour of the exchange to see how current technology operated.

Commenting after the meeting, Steve Webb said:

"Being at the cutting edge of technology will help local businesses to survive in these difficult economic times. This was a useful meeting that helped us all to understand better what is possible and will help us to press for our area to benefit from this new technology as soon as possible.

Michael Dunn, Regional Manager of BT, said:

"It's always good to have the opportunity to discuss with local business people what BT can do for them but on this occasion we were able to share some of our future proposals for next generation access and the improvements that this will bring in the future."