Slow Broadband Costs Small Business Employees ’15 Minutes A Day’

The average small business employee loses 15 minutes every day due to a slow Internet connection, according to research by Virgin Media Business.

The company found that 57 percent of SMB senior decision markers believe they couldn’t function without broadband and a third surveyed said slow speeds were their biggest distraction at work.

A third believed faster speeds would help their business grow faster. A quarter are prioritising online advertising and 23 percent social media in a bid to achieve growth over the next 12 months.

Virgin Media Business

The research coincides with the launch of Virgin Media Business’s 300Mbps service for SMBs, which was announced last November. The previous maximum speed for businesses was 152Mbps, while the highest consumer speed is also being upgraded to 200Mbps.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK’s economy but need the right tools and technology to thrive,” said Peter Kelly, MD at Virgin Media Business. “Our ultrafast broadband speeds are setting a new benchmark for business broadband and enabling businesses to reach their full digital potential by doing more, faster.”

Virgin Media Business also offers a dedicated 4G service using its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and is currently embarking on a £3 billion expansion of its cable network so it reaches 17 million premises. The firm is also looking to create its own nationwide Wi-Fi network.