The big question...

This week Business Argus has been asking local businesspeople how super-fast broadband would benefit their business?

Jamie Davies, managing director of Crystal Group, Newport

Super-fast broadband is crucial to allow remote access to servers with a workable speed. We are a local business that have a rural location and standard broadband is not sufficient to allow our remote workers to be effective.

As a growing company in Newport we are considering a move in the new year into a larger premises and one of the considerations will have to be the speed of broadband we can access, which will allow us to utilise Cloud storage and video conferencing more effectively. Speed of broadband and reliability is a fundamental consideration for our progression.

David Russ, managing director, Centre for Business

Superfast broadband has the potential to be a game changer for businesses in Newport, allowing them to be more productive, and giving them the platform to compete on a global scale.

The challenge for the Welsh Government will be to ensure that businesses are equipped with the skills they need to tap into superfast and to reap its benefits.

Joy Phillips, practice director, HardingEvans, Newport

Over the last 12 months or so we have worked with larger clients and referrers to roll out A2A technologies, enabling them to quickly access information on cases and KPIs in real time. This element of our service delivery is dependent on good broadband connection so, superfast broadband will not only make the current system faster and more efficient but will also support our development by enabling us to roll out more innovative service delivery initiatives.

Paul Cleverly, marketing director, Smart Solutions, Newport

Any improvements to the physical and digital infrastructure in the Newport area, which will help to attract more businesses into the region, is to be welcomed.

Faster and cheaper internet access will allow more local people to access job vacancies online and compete in the growing trend of webcam based interviews.

This is crucial for a business such as Smart Solutions. We put thousands of flexible staff to work every day and can’t totally depend on visitors to our high street branches alone. The internet is essential to deliver a high volume of quality applicants.

Cennydd Thomas, corporate finance manager, UHY Hacker Young,Newport

As a supplier of professional services, it is vitally important for us to be able to send and receive information in a speedy and secure manner. Having access to super-fast broadband would be a big help in speeding up communication with clients and contacts. No doubt this would help to ensure we provide an efficient, joined-up service.

John Newell, Kingston Newell, Newport

In the estate agency business we need faster broadband due to marketing and property searches carried out mostly on the web via smartphones, ipads. Our industry has changed and we are now reliant on the speed of internet connections rather than previous printed marketing methods. Super fast broadband will certainly benefit my business.

Dan Smith, director, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

Being able to benefit from super fast broadband will certainly benefit our business. The majority of commercial property searches are made via online portals including our company website and the quicker potential clients can search the better. Overall, businesses in the City of Newport will I’d imagine, welcome the introduction of this new service and it will also provide the city with a major selling point when seeking inward investment from companies considering relocating or opening in Newport. Any competitive advantage we can gain will be most welcome especially when you consider the benefits other initiatives such as the Enterprise Zones provide to other business locations in this area.