Fears have been voiced about how the swine flu pandemic could force many people to work from home, which could affect many services including the broadband infrastructure.

Over recent weeks people across the UK have been struck with the illness that has swept across from Mexico, and has even resulted in some fatalities. The swine flu epidemic has swept across the UK, like some other countries, striking people down and being passed very quickly from one person to another.

Because of the speed at which the flu has been spreading those that are suspected of having contracted it are being quarantined in the home, and for many people this has meant – or could mean – having to work for a period of time from home until they have been given the all clear. However, this has raised a number of concerns with regards to whether the country is equipped to handle this sort of situation.

Some industry officials have voiced concerns about the country’s broadband infrastructure, claiming that it is uncertain whether it would be able to cope with the rising number of people that will be forced to work from home if the swine flu continued to spread as quickly as it has done so far. Doubts have been expressed as to whether the broadband system would work effectively if there was a sudden increase in people having to do their work from home.

One industry official said that BT had been unable to give a firm answer as to whether the broadband system in Britain would be able to cope if a larger number of people suddenly had to start logging on and working from home. There were also concerns over the nearly forty percent of businesses that have no plan in place to deal with a pandemic.

Source – www.guardian.co.uk