55 Percent Of Enterprises Sacrifice Productivity Due To International Mobile Communication Challenges

DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest research from CCMI, a leading information source for the telecom industry, highlights international mobile communications as a continuing challenge for mid- and large-sized companies doing business globally as they grapple with managing all aspects of their international mobile communications, including voice, text and data.

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The report is the third commissioned in the past three years by Truphone, the mobile network without country borders. It demonstrates that more than half of enterprises are seeking to control escalating international mobile communications costs primarily by curtailing or forbidding employees' mobile device usage while abroad.  The downside of such changes is that employees are less accessible to customers and colleagues and overall less productive. 

The report findings draw a surprising contrast between how growing mid-market companies view international mobility versus the more established large enterprises. Mid-market businesses were found to be less likely to restrict international mobile roaming and view keeping connected to their international and traveling workforce as a critical cost of doing business. 

By contrast, 55 percent of large enterprises, with corporate-wide cost cutting initiatives, are more likely to restrict international usage and have formal policies in place to reduce costs. This is a substantial increase from the 2012 report, in which only 40 percent of large enterprises had such initiatives. The report also confirmed that limiting international mobile access has contributed to lost business in 20 percent of companies – regardless of size.

Over 90 percent of respondents said they would be willing to use an alternative wireless carrier in order to improve productivity, better the service experience, and reduce overall costs associated with international mobile services, particularly if the quality, reliability and user experience were comparable to or better than their current carrier.

Michael Yokay, president of CCMI, said, "Organizations are beginning to assert more control over international roaming costs as compared to years past, but are finding this comes at an additional price in terms of accessibility and productivity. The key take-away for both mid-market and enterprise organizations is that staying connected internationally will continue to be a critical challenge in their ability to conduct business on a global basis.  Companies that can solve this problem will occupy a continually growing and valuable niche in this market."

Additional findings from the study indicate that 40 percent of large companies have average monthly international mobile costs per user of $1,000, with 13 percent reporting monthly costs exceeding $3,500 per user. Similarly, 31 percent of mid-market companies reported monthly per user costs of more than $1,000, with 8 percent reporting monthly per user costs exceeding $3,500.

"The survey results show that as more business abroad is done over mobile phones and tablets, the pain points intensify causing companies to slam on the brakes," said Pascal de Hesselle, vice president of Marketing USA at Truphone. "The trend shows a sharp year-over-year increase in the number of large businesses implementing international mobile policies that are killing productivity. That's not how international communications should work."

The CCMI study continues to highlight that traditional solutions are not working. "Truphone solves the problem of international mobile communications by turning it on its head.  Within the Truphone Zone*, all calls are local calls, making it easier and more affordable to conduct global business," de Hesselle continued.

The report reveals other key findings related to international mobile communications, alternatives companies are using to offset roaming costs, travel trends and more. Click here to download the white paper and learn more.

ABOUT TRUPHONE
Truphone, Inc. is a member of the Truphone group of companies.

Truphone is the only mobile operator in the world that expands the reach of businesses beyond the borders of their home country. Truphone achieves this by providing multiple international numbers on a single SIM, enabling businesses to make international calls that are treated as local calls and providing contacts a direct way to get in touch on a local number. Truphone's approach also eliminates or reduces mobile roaming costs for voice and data services, keeping staff better connected at home and abroad.  The company's patented SIM-based offering works in more than 200 countries.  With US headquarters in Durham, NC, Truphone has offices across 4 continents and continues to expand globally. Our clients include FTSE 1000 and Fortune 500 companies across multiple sectors. To learn more, visit www.truphone.com.

*ABOUT THE TRUPHONE ZONE
The Truphone Zone includes Australia, Hong Kong, the UK, the US and the Netherlands – and will expand to include Germany, Netherlands and Spain by the first quarter of 2014.

In the Truphone Zone, users can dial and download as they would at home with voice, data and text bundles – at local rates, not roaming rates - that work across borders.  Truphone also offers unique bundles shared between individuals and departments globally. The unique structure of the networks gives users a better, faster data experience in the Truphone Zone.

About CCMI
CCMI provides specialized, intelligent telecom data solutions and content-rich resources to the enterprise market. Working with expense management providers, CCMI provides companies with the necessary rate and jurisdictional information to improve their telecom expense management solutions. CCMI also delivers independent market research and analysis, tightly-focused educational webinars and industry-leading conferences, enabling its customers to work more efficiently and save money with reliable content and superior customer service. To learn more, visit www.ccmi.com.

SOURCE Truphone