BT Openworld pushes broadband benefits to SMEs

Fifty-two per cent of SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises ) could improve their financial well-being by switching to a broadband internet connection, according to research published today by BT Openworld.

Its survey of 1,000 UK SMEs revealed that if the majority upgraded from narrowband to broadband, they could make substantial cost savings.

However, 45 per cent of business leaders believe that a lack of education is stopping companies making the move.

In a bid to help (and presumably to drum up some business), BT Openworld has produced a free "beginners' guide" to broadband for business. Its aim is to help companies understand the technology better and decide whether to make the transition to a high-speed connection.

Tony Harris, president, business internet services at BT Openworld, said: "All of the research and analysis we carry out points to two things. Firstly, most organisations would benefit from moving to broadband. Secondly, the biggest barrier to uptake is that many SMEs just aren't aware of the hows, wheres and whys of the technology.

"This guide is an attempt to address both areas and help organisations capitalise on the advantages. That means talking to them in the language they respond to - profit, efficiency, speed and flexibility rather than always-on connections and megabits-per-second," he added.

Today's announcement is the latest BT Openworld broadband promotional scheme targeted at SMEs. Last month it teamed up with Maplin to offer smaller businesses in-store broadband demonstrations (http://www.silicon.com/a55927 ).

The Superhighway Code is available via the BT Openworld website, (http://www.btopenworld.com/superhighwayguide ), or by calling 0800 783 7844.