Around a third of UK internet traffic is hosted in Leeds and two thirds of Leeds companies say the city is a great place to do e-business. Companies looking to take advantage of opportunities presented by the online economy will find everything they need from finance and business support to technical and creative expertise.

‘Leaders’ in technology
Leeds’ financial services sector, including Halifax Bank, First Direct and the Direct Line Group, has lead the way in the development of e-business solutions.

Other Leeds-based companies have been quick to seize the opportunities presented by the online economy to grow their business and extend their global reach. Minorplanet, William Hill, TEAMtalk, Furniture 123, Farnell in One and Empire Direct operate across a range of different fields, while specialist providers such as Shopcreator, Energis and Orange Multimedia Operations provide the expertise and infrastructure companies need to trade online.

Over 90% of BT exchanges are broadband enabled and there are more ISDN lines per head of population than any other major city.

History of innovation
Leeds is home to the world’s first virtual newscaster, Ananova, which offers real-time news and information across a range of digital platforms. Freeserve, the UK’s first free domestic internet service provider, was also created in Leeds.

Innovation
Leeds Metropolitan University has been appointed to lead the development of a £2.6 million New Technology Institute, providing students and business with access to some of the most advanced technology courses in the UK.

The leading e-business organisations in Leeds have joined forces with the public sector and universities to further develop Leeds as a leading centre for e-business. For more information see www.ehqleeds.co.uk.