Many businesses will be "built or transformed" by high-speed broadband

16:45 2nd February 2009

Many businesses in the UK will be "built or transformed" by the advent of high-speed broadband, according to the British Computer Society (BCS).

Dan Evans, of government relations at the BCS, said that the gradual upgrade to high-speed networks would spell the end of some companies that would be unable to adjust to the change, but he added that it would be liberating for many others.

He likened the installation of next-generation broadband to "an act of faith" considering that nobody has yet said for certain what its purpose will be.

Addressing the Joint Westminster eForum & Westminster Media Forum keynote seminar: Digital Britain, Mr Evans said: "That's where the wheels come off the business case - building out in this area will be an act of faith, not business sense."

Widespread availability of high-speed broadband could aid home study courses and encourage more people to seek online computer training.

The government recently set out plans to equip every home in the UK with a broadband web connection over the next few years.