Key Takeaways:
- Rural Revival: Over 50% of Brits are choosing to shop locally this Christmas, driving a surge in rural economy.
- Connectivity Transformation: Virgin Media O2 rolls out extensive 4G and 5G upgrades across 55,000 rural postcodes, potentially boosting rural business turnover by 10.5%.
- Economic Boom: Improved digital connectivity in rural areas could add a staggering £16.3 billion to the UK economy and create over 100,000 jobs.
The Dawn of Digital Prosperity in Rural UK
In a remarkable development for the UK’s rural economy, Virgin Media O2 has announced significant upgrades to its 4G network along with new 5G deployment across more than 55,000 rural postcodes. This strategic move comes at a crucial time when more than half of the British population is turning to local, rural businesses for their Christmas shopping.
Bridging the Urban-Rural Digital Divide
These network enhancements are expected to resolve common connectivity issues faced by rural small businesses, such as difficulties in processing card and online payments. The timing couldn’t be better, as these improvements coincide with the crucial Christmas shopping season, which is vital for the success of these businesses.
A Giant Leap for Rural Small Businesses
Economic analysis from Cebr for Virgin Media O2 indicates that enhancing digital connectivity in rural areas could increase turnover for rural small businesses by an impressive 10.5%. This could inject an extra £16.3 billion into the UK economy and lead to the creation of 108,000 new jobs.
The Heartbeat of Rural Economy: Small Businesses
The research highlights that 52% of Brits plan to support rural small businesses this holiday season, driven by a desire to bolster the local economy and discover unique products. However, the digital divide has been a significant hurdle, with issues like failed card payments and online visibility challenges being commonplace.
Upgrading for a Brighter Tomorrow
To support rural communities during this critical trading period, Virgin Media O2 has executed a series of 4G and 5G network upgrades across the UK. Over the past year, the company has extended its high-speed 5G network to over 30,000 rural areas and enhanced 4G connectivity in over 34,245 rural postcodes.
Connectivity: A Catalyst for Economic Growth
The economic modelling by Cebr for Virgin Media O2 underscores that improved connectivity in rural areas could boost small business turnover by over 7.7%. This would be a significant uplift, especially for sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, which are pivotal to the rural economy.
Voices from the Field
Fiona Warren, a Yorkshire-based rural dog grooming business owner, emphasizes the crucial role of connectivity in her business operations. “If I can’t access the internet or contact my customers, it has a huge impact on my business’ cashflow and my bottom line,” she shares.
Virgin Media O2’s Commitment to Rural Connectivity
Virgin Media O2 continues its commitment to the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, expanding its reliable 4G network and planning further infrastructure upgrades. The company urges policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring faster and more efficient delivery of vital connectivity improvements.
Political and Industry Support
Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, applauds Virgin Media O2’s efforts, highlighting the importance of connectivity for business efficiency and customer experience improvement in rural areas. “No business in the UK should be disadvantaged because of where they are based,” she asserts.
The Future is Connected
This leap in rural connectivity by Virgin Media O2 marks a turning point for the UK’s rural economy. With this enhanced digital infrastructure, rural small businesses are set to thrive like never before, bringing prosperity and innovation to these communities.
Research Methodologies: The economic impact modeling involved surveys to gauge the quality difference in rural and urban connectivity. The consumer polling, conducted by Strand Partners, surveyed 1,012 UK residents, providing insights into their shopping preferences and challenges faced due to connectivity issues.
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