Three out of four SMEs now recognise that broadband is essential for making businesses more efficient. Despite this, decisions about broadband are still being left to IT departments with little or no input from senior management, according to a report by telecoms outfit Telefonica UK.

While it welcomed the fact that businesses have now woken up to the benefits of broadband, the report found that nine out of ten bosses admit that they steer clear of meetings dealing with their IT and telecoms management. The report calls on non-IT senior management to get more involved with the "dynamics of communications networks" if they are to capitalise on the benefits of broadband.

Said Telefonica UK chief exec, Andrew Peters: "Broadband networks are not a passport to maximising business efficiency without the regular input and interaction of both IT and non-IT senior management. As the survey indicates, the high number of IT departments being left to decide, on their own, what's good for business in some companies is somewhat alarming."

Instead, he urged senior management to get more involved and meet with their IT staff more frequently. ®

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