BUSINESS leaders in Yorkshire today confirmed that there is a direct link between the use of broadband internet and profits.

In a new report carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Broadband provider, Nildram, 84 per cent of company directors say investing in broadband has helped boost productivity, with 64 per cent directly linking the high speed Internet with profits.

John Thompson, the IoD's regional director in Yorkshire, said: "For many businesses, broadband is simply transforming the way they work."

The survey found that Broadband penetration levels are now impressively high. By next year, more than 90 per cent of IoD members expect to be signed up, but some rural areas remain increasingly frustrated by the failure to make broadband universally available.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, October 13, 2004