BROADBAND connectivity will be the hot topic when businesses meet in Herefordshire next month.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has made better connection speeds a key part of its manifesto for 2018.

The Chamber has, therefore, joined with Fastershire, Herefordshire Council's broadband delivery project to host the Herefordshire Business Broadband Connectivity Forum on March 14.

The event aims to highlight the availability of broadband for rural and urban businesses across the region and to provide space for open discussions with Fastershire and a range of internet service providers.

According to Think Broadband, 85.3% of properties across the county can now access superfast broadband with speeds of 30Mbps or over, with over 12.6% of premises about to access fibre to the premise and speeds up to 330Mbps. By the end of Fastershire’s phase2 rollout, coverage will have increased to 98%.

Councillor David Harlow, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Economy and communications, said: “Improving access to faster broadband for businesses across the county is one of the core objectives of the Fastershire project.

"We’re working to ensure that Herefordshire has both the broadband network and through the project’s free business support programme, also the digital skills, that will enable our businesses to grow and compete nationally and internationally.“

Sophia Haywood, Policy Manager at the Chamber of Commerce, said: “Businesses need high levels of connectivity to thrive in the modern-day world.

"Here at the Chamber, we’re working with key partners and local firms to work towards high quality mobile networks and broadband across the region.

"While many connections have improved over the last few years, firms still feedback to us that they experience not spots or slow connections, which is why we’re working closely with Fastershire on this forum to support local business.”

To register for the session which will begin at 12pm with a networking lunch at the Hereford Business Solutions Centre, email Daisie Rees-Evans on daisier@hwchamber.co.uk”