22-06-2007
Majority of SMEs not benefiting from internet
A majority of Britain's small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are failing to reap the benefits of connecting to the internet, it has been claimed.
According to the results of a study by internet service provider UK online, out of a study of 600 respondents, 400 SMEs possess no workplace internet connection.
This result is despite a recent report by ICM Research which found that half the respondents to a survey on email usage by people between the ages of 25 and 34 found it necessary to check their inboxes every day.
"While teenagers are passionate about their mobile phones and texting … the older generations are relying … on email because of its use in a business capacity," said Charles Black, chief executive of Nasstar, a company specialising in the broadcasting of software.
There is a curious discrepancy between the type of people who use email regularly and those who start their own business. This may be down to the type of businesses included in the survey. For instance, it's less likely a tradesman will have broadband set up at home than a business consultant.
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