A survey of over 657 small UK business owners conducted by ISP and phone provider XLN Telecom has found that broadband internet access is more important to SME's than their gas and water supply. We'd like to see how long a firms staff could go without drinking water but health a safety rules might not approve.

When asked to rate which services are essential to the running of their company, 77% cited telephone, 76% said electricity, then business broadband (67%), water (39%) and gas (19%). In response to the issue of whether broadband is critical to the running of their organisation, 76% of SME owners stated that it was an essential tool.

The value of broadband to UK businesses has increased dramatically; 2 years ago 61% said that it was important, 42% stated it was critical 5 years ago and only 11% felt access to the internet was a core requirement 10 years ago.


In terms of how business broadband is used, email tops the list (91%), followed by online banking (62%), conducting research (61%), general administration (42%), external customer relations (25%), VoIP (10%) and training (9%). Sadly 37% were unsure of the broadband speed provided by their current supplier.