Small businesses will receive a major boost from the Scottish government's plan to dramatically increase the country's broadband speeds, according to Parcel2Go.

The online parcel delivery firm welcomed the SNP's Infrastructure Action Plan (IAP), part of which will see speeds of between 40 and 80Mbps rolled out to 85 to 90 per cent of properties across Scotland, representing a substantial improvement to the speeds that are currently available throughout much of the UK.

Ofcom figures published earlier this month show the average actual download rates received by British households stood at 7.6Mbps in November 2011, up from 6.2Mbps a year earlier.

The ability to manage a business through the internet and trade online could have a "substantial impact" on Scottish companies, Parcel2Go claimed.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at the delivery company, said measures drawn out in the IAP to improve mobile data services could also be "hugely beneficial" to small businesses, more of which are becoming reliant on the internet and increasing their earnings through the ecommerce channel.

"Parcel2Go helps thousands of these companies find cheap courier deals so they can ship consignments across the world and from feedback, we understand all too well how important online services have become to the UK's small businesses," he commented.

"With Britain facing the possibility of another recession, schemes such as this which will help firms to grow should be made a top priority."

Mr Mercer added "innovative and dynamic companies" are needed to drive the recovery of the British economy and all possible steps should be taken to support their growth.

Hundreds of millions of pounds will be spent on achieving the Scottish government's IAP, with Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil revealing £185 million of the necessary funding has already been identified.

Procurement for the major project is due to get underway this summer.

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