Broadband 'saves' NI firms 52 working days

Businesses in Northern Ireland who have upgraded their internet access from a dial-up to broadband network have recovered 52 days a year in lost productivity, according to latest research.

In a nationwide survey by leading internet provider ntl, 50% of small businesses in Northern Ireland have already upgraded to broadband.

Saving time and making money are cited as the primary benefits of adopting broadband by businesses in the region. Over 80% of respondents said broadband had significantly improved their ability to communicate effectively with customers and suppliers, whilst two thirds identified the ability to implement new business applications as a key advantage.

In further evidence of the ‘workaholic’ culture in Northern Ireland companies, two thirds of executives use the time saved by broadband for marketing and new business initiatives instead of reducing their working hours. Just 12% said they would invest spare time in perks, such as watching the Olympics or Euro 2004 in office hours.

Already saving more valuable minutes than businesses anywhere in England, over three quarters of businesses in the Northern Ireland would immediately increase the speed of their broadband connection if they thought they could save even more time. Companies in the rest of the UK save an average of just 90 minutes per day.

Simon Tse, Business Services Director, Celtic region at ntl’s business division, said: “These results highlight just how valuable broadband is in today’s business environment. With effectively another 52 days in the year, not only are companies across Northern Ireland finding more time to win new business, they’re transforming the way they service existing customers and deal with suppliers.

"Broadband is an essential tool for helping small businesses compete with much larger players.”

Despite the money and time saving benefits cited by broadband users, 40% of respondents that have not migrated to broadband were put off by cost barriers or felt it offered no tangible advantage to their business.

(MB)