4G-Force: self-employed leading mobile internet
The adoption of smartphones among small business owners has hit
60% with the self-employed taking the lead in time spent online
using their mobile devices, according to a survey of 512 SMEs
conducted by Make It Cheaper.
Figures from the research show that over two-thirds (67.5%) of
self-employed smartphone owners use their mobile device to connect
to the internet throughout the day with over a quarter (27%)
continually connected. This compares to half (51.5%) of all SMEs
connecting on a daily basis and the figure for permanent connection
decreases in relation to the size of the business they operate. The
proportion of smartphone owners constantly connected to the
internet, for example, is as follows:
- Self-Employed = 27%
- 2-10 Employees = 20%
- 11-50 Employees = 14%
- 51-100 Employees = 7%
When asked what business purposes they used their smartphones
for, the (72) self-employed respondents to the Make It Cheaper
survey answered as follows:
- 66% Online accounts - eg banking
- 48% Facebook
- 37% Posting on forums
- 37% LinkedIn
- 33% Downloads - eg eBooks/publications
- 25% Twitter
- 22% Podcasts
- 20% Google+
Make It Cheaper's research suggests there is likely to be a
rapid uptake of 4G services from the UK's three million strong army
of sole proprietors. According to a separate study by Everything
Everywhere, almost three quarters of small businesses intend to
sign-up to 4G within 12 months.*
However, Mashud Miah, business telecoms expert at Make It
Cheaper, commented: "Businesses should not rush to purchase the
heavily-advertised consumer 4G tariffs but, instead, seek out
business deals. These - available imminently - will be 20% cheaper
and cater to the more bespoke needs of small businesses. The price
saving is particularly relevant to sole traders for whom the
difference is likely to be £150 a year for the same service. For
those wanting to get on a 4G plan, there is a range of compatible
smartphones currently available including: iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy
S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, the Nokia Lumina range, HTC One XL and
others.
A more cautious approach is to consider staying on 3G until
Vodafone and O2 release their 4G service plans in May next year,
which will of course create competition for EE and inevitably drive
down prices. For the best 3G options available in the market, speak
to one of our Mobile Experts today, who'd be happy to talk you
through them."
For more information, contact Make It Cheaper on 0800 068 2502
or visit www.makeitcheaper.com.
* http://explore.ee.co.uk/our-company/newsroom/ee-launches-superfast-4g-and-fibre-for-uk-consumers-and-businesses-today
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About Make It Cheaper
Established in 2007 and based in Central London with 126 staff,
Make It Cheaper (www.makeitcheaper.com) is the
number one destination for businesses to get a better deal on their
utilities and other services. It receives more enquiries and
arrange more new contracts than any other business price comparison
service. These include the business customers of major domestic
price comparison services with whom Make It Cheaper has
partnerships, as well as many nationwide trade associations and
charity membership organisations. Acting on behalf of these
customers with total impartiality and free-of-charge, Make It
Cheaper offers year-on-year savings across a range of products
including: business energy, telecoms, insurance and merchant services
(chip & PIN). By switching suppliers or helping to renegotiate
deals with existing ones, it will typically save over 30% of costs
- as well as a considerable amount of time that its customers can
then spend on running their businesses. Make It Cheaper is
currently ranked 39th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and
has 2012 Net Promoter Score of 75%.
Further information: Nick Heath 020 7654 0730 / nick.heath@makeitcheaper.com.