A recent Swan Independent Research survey into SME communications suggests that SMEs are falling behind in their Internet connectivity simply because they are not aware of what’s available.
SIR surveyed over 12,000 SMEs between 10 and 100 employees in areas where a new fibre Ethernet technology has been available to SMEs for over a year. This new technology offers superfast leased lines for businesses at around 20% of the cost of traditional leased lines. More than 50% of respondents said they were still struggling on with broadband and were unaware of any better alternatives.
Not surprisingly on the question about satisfaction, internet connection scored lowest out of any of the questions which also included telephone system, mobile contract and the overall cost to the company of communications.
Its not surprising that UK SMEs lag behind the rest of the world when it comes to the adoption of ‘The Cloud’ when the only way of accessing their critical applications and data is over an unpredictable, insecure, best-efforts broadband circuit. If SMEs are dissatisfied with their internet connection when all it is being used for is web browsing and email, how are they going to feel when their telephone system, accounts packages and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems rely upon it. There has been a quiet revolution in internet connectivity for business and thousands of UK SMEs can now access this technology
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