FOR most people, decent broadband speed is only noticeable in its absence.

We tend to give little thought to such matters until we’re greeted by a ‘buffering’ message, a permanent loading screen or the failure of an image-laden email to turn up.

For businesses, though, broadband speed has much more significant implications, which is why Vodafone’s decision to roll out superfast 4G technology here is such good news.

For businesses considering coming to Swindon, our having better broadband speed than rival locations such as Bristol and Oxford will be a major point in our favour. And of course, for many of the businesses already here, that boost in speed will be a welcome weapon to wield against the opposition.

It is currently estimated that the benefits accrued will reach £100m over five years; we wouldn’t be surprised if the final total, difficult though it will be to calculate, turns out to be rather more.

Swindon has a long history of being well ahead of the game when it comes to field-testing and suggesting improvements in new technology. The town has been at the forefront in the development and use of technologies as diverse as cable television and cash-free payments for goods and services.

It should therefore come as little surprise that Swindon has been selected as a 4G pioneer, as our track record when it comes to embracing the new is enviable.

We’ll no doubt also be chosen for future technologies which make even the excellent 4G look primitive.