BT offers 'try-before-you-buy' broadband

NEWS BT Openworld has teamed up with electronics retailer Maplin to offer small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to try broadband before committing to purchase. Maplin will offer broadband demonstrations in-store to potential business users. Businesses will have the opportunity to see broadband in action, and discuss technical and installation requirements with trained Maplin staff. Tony Harris, president, business internet services at BT Openworld, said: "At a recent series of broadband summits conducted by BT Openworld, it was revealed that the greatest barrier to broadband uptake among SMEs was lack of awareness - not cost or availability issues, as commonly believed. "The deal with Maplin will provide us with the ideal opportunity to educate the business community, as well as revealing just how easy it is for SMEs and SoHo (small office, home office) workers to take advantage of broadband," he added. Will Hewitt, product manager, PC components at Maplin, said: "The 'try-before-you-buy' approach is a proven success in the retail market, and we don't expect the broadband experience to be any different." The demonstrations will be taking place in eleven stores nationwide to begin with: Belfast, Bradford, Brighton, Cheltenham, Chester, Coventry, Leicester, London Queensway, Sheffield, Watford and Westcliff.