Faster broadband services in Norfolk could persuade skilled workers to remain in the area by giving them the opportunity to operate from home, according to Neil Collins of Metaswitch Networks.
Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press, Mr Collins - a senior manager at the London and San Francisco-based software company - explained he has been able to move back to the county after spending eight years in Hertfordshire now that broadband connectivity has improved in Great Moulton, near Long Stratton.
As a result of the relocation and the ability to work at home four days a week, the Metaswitch chief said his quality of life has improved, as he is now able to spend more time with his wife and three children.
"It's no coincidence that we moved into Great Moulton at exactly the same time that broadband arrived there," Mr Collins revealed.
Having benefited from faster home broadband, Mr Collins is now calling on Norfolk residents to get involved in the Say Yes to Better Broadband campaign, jointly run by the newspaper and Norfolk County Council.
"One thing is for certain - we're going to need faster internet connections," he commented.
"If we don't, then people who live in our beautiful county will soon start to fall behind the people who live in cities in terms of the services and communications they can access."
More than 50,000 homes and businesses across Norfolk are currently stuck with broadband speeds of less than 2Mbps, an issue the Say Yes campaign is looking to address.
The project is aiming to deliver super-fast broadband with download rates of at least 30Mbps to as much of the county as possible, with minimum capabilities of 2Mbps for all remaining properties.
To achieve these goals, Norfolk has secured £15 million of funding from the government and has agreed to match this sum using money from its own budget.