Broadband access--or lack thereof--is having a significant impact on small businesses and their ability to compete, according to a new SBA Office of Advocacy report that noted big differences between broadband availability in metro vs. rural areas.
One-third of the small businesses surveyed for the report said they needed greater broadband capacity than currently existed in their area, reports Broadband Breakfast. Not only is speed an issue, but cost has an impact on businesses' bottom line as well. Small businesses in metro areas pay an average of $115 monthly for broadband service compared to their country cousins who pay around $93 on average, but metro businesses get better speeds for that price. DSL remains the dominant broadband connection in both areas.
The study was commissioned in 2008 by Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
For more:
- Broadband Breakfast has this story
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