Poor mobile connectivity hitting small firms shows new FSB report

Small businesses are being held back by poor broadband and mobile connections, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The findings - revealed in FSB’s new digital infrastructure report ‘Lost Connection’ - show that a third of firms (33%) are struggling with broadband speeds that are insufficient for their current business needs. Two in five (40%) say their broadband is not good enough for their future needs. The report also explores mobile connectivity, with data showing almost half (45%) of small firms cannot get a good connection on their mobile phones. This figure rises to 57% in rural areas of the UK. Connection issues are crushing the growth and productivity of small business owners, with more than one in three (32%) reporting poor mobile and broadband connection has prevented them from contacting or being contacted by existing customers – or even potential new clients.