Superfast Broadband Essential to Long-Term Competitiveness of UK Economy

Superfast Broadband Essential to Long-Term Competitiveness of UK Economy PR Newswire LONDON, October 30, 2012 LONDON, October 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EIU and Huawei publish report to promote open debate on future of connectivity Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, is today announcing the launch of a new report entitled: "Superfast Britain? Myths and realities about the UK's broadband future." The report, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Huawei, assesses the potential impact of a superfast broadband infrastructure on the UK economy over the next five years. The report concludes that if the anticipated benefits of superfast broadband are to be realised, obstacles such as a shortage of digital skills across many industries and antiquated working practices and business processes need to be addressed. The report also adds that while superfast broadband will undoubtedly have a long-term positive impact to the economy, the shorter-term impact is likely to be less pronounced than the initial transition to broadband from dial-up connections. "The advent of superfast broadband is certainly an opportunity to boost the UK's long-term competitiveness; however, it may not have the immediate impact on the economy that has been predicted in some quarters," said Denis McCauley of the Economist Intelligence Unit and editor of the report.