The latest study by Redshift Research for UK business ISP Pipex (Tiscali) has revealed that the majority of small businesses (79%) use their home broadband connection for professional use. In contrast, just under half (48%) use pure office/business broadband.

When asked which the most frequent method of connection is, two thirds (64%) stated home broadband and only a third (30%) said office/business broadband. Some 55% of respondents said they are at their most productive when working from home compared to 35% who say they are most productive working from the office.

Working from home can have many advantages, including flexibility and saving time on commuting – the respondents said they spend on average one to two hours every day commuting. This may explain why the majority feel they get more done working at home:


Small businesses are now so reliant on broadband that 69% of respondents to the survey said that “not being able to connect to internet” was the most frustrating situation followed by “not getting access to your emails” (60%) – both were more frustrating than losing your keys (28%) or your mobile phone (31%), cancelled appointments (22%) and traffic jams (31%).

Broadband is also considered easy to set up and use – 77% said they found it “easy or very easy” to set up and only 7% found it difficult.