Virgin Media forecasts strong year for businesses

Fibre optic broadband provider Virgin Media Business has forecast technology will help UK firms to enjoy a strong next 12 months.

Mark Heraghty, managing director of the internet service provider, said "ever-advancing" innovations will offer the opportunity for employers to "propel themselves forward" in 2011.

Another of his predictions for the coming year is the growing importance of skills, which the executive insisted will enable companies to "really drive their ambitions".

Business directors will have a larger talent pool to choose from, Mr Heraghty claimed, because highly skilled employees of public organisations will increasingly look to migrate to the private sector.

His predictions come after network operator and home broadband provider Orange conducted a poll that found more than three-quarters of small and medium-sized enterprises are expecting to enjoy at least the same level of success in 2011 as they did last year.

Mobile Wi-Fi access and business apps were among the technologies that respondents want to see more of over the coming months.