Business owners in the Highlands have pleaded for access to faster internet, BBC News reports.

Many local business owners have expressed their need for a better connection in order to advertise their firms online.

One of them was local hotel owner Shirley Spear, who labelled fast internet as "a basic essential" for all business owners in the current day and age.

Speaking to BBC News, she said: "Broadband is very patchy, as everyone is aware. However, as a small operation, we have done everything within our power to improve our signal."

A lot of companies invest in dedicated servers, top-of-the-range hardware or additional bandwidth in order to improve the performance of their website if their broadband connection isn't up to scratch - which is something business owners in this area might consider doing.

However, internet speeds are so poor in certain areas of the Highlands that business owners are campaigning for major investment to be made into the area's broadband infrastructure.

Alex Ranking (the chief executive of the local chamber of commerce, The Caingorms Partnership) agreed that fast broadband can help a business reach customers more easily.

Highlighting the importance of mobile broadband, he told uswitch.com: "The importance of an area of a business being easily accessible to the customer is more important than ever. People are more selective with how they spend their money and are making last minute decisions on the move as to what to do."