WINTER 2019 ROUND-UP Regional firms suffering a disconnect ROUND-UP Small businesses in the West Midlands are being held back by poor broadband and mobile connections, according to a new digital infrastructure report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Service Obligation (USO). This comes into force in March 2020, and gives residents and businesses the legal right to request a decent broadband connection with a download speed of at least 10Mbps. More than a quarter (28%) of small businesses in the region are struggling with broadband speeds that are insufficient for their current needs, while almost a third (31%) say their broadband is not good enough for their future needs. To improve network coverage and get rid of not spots in rural areas, the FSB also supports the idea of a rural network shared among the four large mobile network operators. Lost Connection, published by the FSB in October 2019, also reveals that more than half (54%) of small firms in the region cannot get a good connection on their mobile phones. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons ambitious promise of nationwide, full fibre or gigabitcapable broadband by 2025 must be kept, says the FSB. It wants government, industry and regulators to work together to remove barriers to the rollout of full fibre, to ensure no-one is left behind as we enter the fourth industrial revolution. The FSB is calling for a public commitment from government that every premises will receive download speeds of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) by the end of 2021, regardless of whether they have asked to be connected under the Universal ROUND-UP In addition, it wants the scheduled spectrum band auction of 4G and 5G to take place without delay. Credit: Karen Woolley, FSB development manager iStock.com / Stepan Popov SELECT STATISTICS 25% of small firms in the West Midlands have download speeds of less than 10Mbps 26% have lost business or sales because of poor mobile coverage 30% say poor connection is a barrier to growing their business 32% of business owners have been prevented from contacting, or being contacted by, customers and potential clients because of poor mobile and broadband connections 52% want full fibre when it becomes available in their area Virus protection Norovirus causes diarrhoea and vomiting, and is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It is also known as the winter vomiting bug because its more common in this season, although you can catch it at any time of the year. While very unpleasant, the symptoms usually clear up by themselves in a few days. Between 600,000 and a million people in the UK are affected by norovirus each year. This can have an impact on businesses through staff absence, as well as through potential reputational damage if an outbreak is associated with a premises. To help stop the virus spreading and keep your staff healthy: nHave signs that remind staff to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food nProvide warm water for hand washing nSupply antibacterial wipes for phones, desks and workspaces, and alcohol hand gels nDo not provide towels or flannels, as these can be sources of contamination nDisinfect surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with the virus, using a peroxide-based cleaner nEncourage staff to stay off work until they are symptom free for 48hrs. Source: Health Protection Agency / NHS Choices Credit: John Harvey, Environmental Health officer, Walsall Council iStock.com / selvanegra For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service