Research & Reports

The impact of BT across the UK

The latest version of the Social Study 2012 – “The Economic Impact of BT across the UK” is now available and has been produced in partnership with Regeneris  – an independent economics firm, working across the UK that specialises in preparing robust assessments of economic impact, focusing on the impact of new technology, physical developments, policy changes or corporate impact.

The study demonstrates the economic contribution of BT to the national and local economies in terms of jobs, output and Gross Value Add (GVA) supported. It highlights BT’s total impact across the UK amounts to over £17 billion GVA which equates to BT supporting £1 in every £70 of GVA in the UK economy.

Regeneris have analysed the overall UK position as well as each area of the UK, and taken into account the shift in policy focus, the demise of Regional Development Agencies and the emphasis on Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England.

In addition, recognising our major infrastructure investment in superfast broadband and next generation technologies, the report includes a summary of some key modelling and case studies undertaken by Regeneris to demonstrate the economic impact that broadband has already had on different communities in towns, cities and rural counties.

The full report, with a new interactive map of the UK, individual versions of the report for each area of England, plus Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is available to view and download from www.btsocialstudy.co.uk. 

Superfast Broadband – Boosting Business and the UK Economy 

BT is investing £2.5bn to rollout superfast broadband to two-thirds of UK consumer and business premises by the end of 2014. We believe that superfast broadband has the potential to transform local economies, businesses, households and public services, and to bring new opportunities to all parts of the community. To highlight the impacts for local businesses in particular, we commissioned independent economic consultants Regeneris Consulting to prepare a report ‘Superfast Broadband – Boosting Business and the UK Economy’.

This is the first report to look in detail at superfast broadband at a local level. Based on an analysis of Openreach rollout plans published to date and local conditions, the report projects and quantifies the likely impacts of superfast broadband on growth over the next 15 years.

Investment in superfast broadband is not only about making an economic impact. This report challenges us all to think about what superfast broadband could do to bring change for the better to all of our communities. The full report is available to download.  

Small Business Report 2011 – A Window of Opportunity

(NB: This report was previously known as Home Business Report but is now focussed on small businesses as opposed to just home businesses)

The findings of the Small Business Report 2011 which has been compiled by Enterprise Nation and sponsored by BT were revealed on Monday 03 October by Emma Jones, Enterprise Nation at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. The report outlines a ten point plan to encourage start ups and support existing businesses to grow and also includes a key message around SFBB being essential to their future which further supports our ongoing comms strategy for NGA.

This report builds on the highly successful previous reports known as The Home Business report. Recommendations are based on the views of small businesses and large corporates who have contributed through completion of a Small Business Survey (carried out in March 2011 with 1,224 responses) and / or conversations held in the first half of 2011.

The businesses that responded to the survey are micro-enterprises, employing between 1 and 5 people, with ambitious plans to grow turnover whilst remaining small and nimble.

Based on survey findings and commentary, the recommendations made will encourage more people to start a business and support existing businesses to grow. There are suggestions to help self-employed parents with business expenses, assist students with manageable loans and accelerate innovation in providing business support online. Progress cannot be made without advances in technology and the importance of superfast broadband availability is also addressed.

For further information visit Enterprise Nation which is a small business support company providing books, kits, online tools, video clips, weekly classes and funding to anyone starting a business. Emma Jones the founder is also small business author and expert. She is co-founder of national campaign, StartUp Britain.

Download the full Small Business Report 2011 in pdf format.

Accelerating Next Generation Access Rollout – New white paper from BT

Here you will find a useful NGA strategies white paper - Accelerating Next Generation Access Rollout – which helps to explain the advantages of next generation internet access and presents an outline of how rollout of the technology might be achieved successfully in partnership with BT.

Download the Accelerating Next Generation Access Rollout white pager in PDF format (256kb)

Further information on Next Generation Broadband, latest news and associated briefings from BT can be found at www.bt.com/ngb.