Since November 2002, BT has helped to establish 51 more broadband technology neutral partnerships across all of the UK. The proven benefits of BT's partnership approach go beyond simply extending the broadband footprint in the UK. As demonstrated by actnow BT's first Regional Broadband Partnership project, it speeds up the rate at which broadband rolls out and accelerates take-up. actnow has broken all economic targets set for it in terms of job creation and increasing new markets and take up of broadband among small businesses in the region has risen to more than 24 per cent in less than 12 months.
There has also been a "halo effect" on the local economy as local businesses supplying support services such as technology content and applications, education and training security, legal and finance, benefit from increased demand. A recent research commissioned by actnow identified the following benefits:
76% of companies said there had been economic benefits of broadband connection; increased to 85% for those connected for > 7 months
25% of those who saw economic benefits had increased staff numbers since getting broadband, and they directly attributed 10% of this growth to broadband
more broadband users saw an increase in turnover than non-users, and the increase was significantly higher (36% of users had increased turnover, with an average increase of 34%; compared with 35% of the non-users, with an average t/o increase of only 14%)
more broadband users saw an increase in profitability (40%) compared with only 33% of non-users. The level of increase was significantly higher for broadband users (28%) than others (15%)
also, social benefits in terms of, for example, increased home working, with 30% of broadband user-companies now having staff regularly working from home, compared with 17% of non-users
These benefits have gained widespread recognition, including internationally, and actnow recently received a European award for e-Best Practice. Closer to home, the partnership has given rise to similar schemes in surrounding areas, leading to dramatic increases in the achievement of trigger levels there.
A research conducted by Bolton University in the North West, also demonstrates the benefits of broadband. Some of the key findings are highlighted below:
potential increased revenues of up to 50%
32% experienced better performance in sales revenues
46% have experienced cost savings by using broadband connectivity
31% of businesses have already experienced growth in sales
nearly 80% of the SMEs are forecasting growth in their revenues in near future by utilising Broadband connectivity
72% of the businesses are now utilising Broadband in the procurement process and 36% of them are already experiencing cost savings
75% said that Broadband is helping them in balancing home/work life, with the major benefits including: working from home; more work done than before Broadband connectivity; more spare time than before; reduced travelling; and easy transfer of files.
However, the partnership benefits are not solely reserved for local economies and businesses. Both BT and its private and public sector partners are reaping the benefits of sharing skills and competences and have found new ways, through shared goals and objectives, to join up Government and maximise the impact of their work.