Government can do more to aid rural rollout, says Neos

Shortcomings in government incentives for high-capacity network expansion are stifling the ability of altnets to serve UK business growth, according to Neos Networks.

The provider points to data from its UK Business Gigabit Connectivity Report which found that 52.5% of businesses felt a noticeable impact from the government’s Project Gigabit rollout.

Simon Willmott, Director of Wholesale Business Development at Neos Networks, said: “The UK government must go further in making connectivity expansion commercially viable, with grant incentives, access rights and wayleaves.

“Supporting altnets to unlock the next stage of network expansion in this way can only be positive for UK business, and solidify the UK’s position as world leaders in the digital economy.”

Neos’ report finds that 42% of UK businesses see boosting connectivity over next two years as ‘integral’ to growth. For those that have invested over the last 24 months, , 98.3% of businesses said they saw indirect impacts such on productivity, staff retention or client collaboration.