Plusnet Reveals Half of Customers Want Businesses to Provide Wi-Fi

SHEFFIELD, England, September 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

A Plusnet Business survey* has revealed that the average Brit spends ten hours a day being connected to the Internet. The study demonstrates how the demand for Internet access has increased, with almost a quarter (24%) of people saying that they need it to be able to update people should anything happen.

Small businesses need to take note that almost half (49%) of respondents said Internet access, provided by businesses, is needed in public areas. Over 40% of respondents in the North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, London and Wales say that having access to Wi-Fi is a deal-breaker when deciding on a hotel, showing how much this can affect a business' bottom line.

This study by Plusnet Business has uncovered how much of an impact a decent wireless internet connection for customer use can bring to many sectors, with almost a fifth saying they will purposely choose a restaurant (17%), bar (17%), pub (17%), and shopping centre (18%), over one without it.

For nearly a third of respondents (29%), regular access isn't good enough, they have to be constantly connected and can't even queue or take a short journey without entertaining themselves online. Well over a third (46%) of respondents in London admitted that they needed to be connected to the Internet all the time, to stop the boredom of having to queue.

Talking about the survey, Nick Silverwood, Head of Business, Plusnet said: "Through the Plusnet Business survey we can see that installing something as simple as free Wi-Fi for customers can help generate repeat custom and definition within a market. With increased competition in the hospitality and retail markets, it's important for small businesses to understand how investing in customer broadband has the potential to really boost sales. With over one in ten (12%)** respondents estimating that 21-30% of their profit is down to a fast and reliable Internet connection, there is a clear benefit to getting online."

Plusnet has been successfully delivering high-quality, well-supported business broadband and connectivity products for over 10 years. For more information call 0114 296 5182 or go to http://www.plus.net/business.  

Notes to Editors:

*The survey was conducted by Opinion Matters between 5th and 10th August 2011, and included 1,002 respondents

**The survey was conducted by Opinion Matters between 11th and 19th July 2011, and included 1,510 respondents, 893 of those were workers

About Plusnet:

Back in 1997 Plusnet was born. Its plan was simple - to think and act differently from other providers and save its customers money. That's not changed since the day it launched. More than a decade later, the company is still providing cheap broadband and broadband bundles from its HQ in Yorkshire. In fact, Plusnet guarantees it "won't be beat" on price for standalone broadband.

Of course, just being great value is only part of the deal. Supporting customers' service is just as important to the company. Its telephone and online support provide loads of help right around the clock. Plusnet also offers customers the chance to compare broadband prices online to ensure that they are getting the best deal possible.

Plusnet customers and industry professionals think the home broadband provider supports them so well they've been given a stack of awards to prove their status as one of the best broadband providers. Customers and industry professionals think Plusnet support them so well they've been given a stack of awards to prove it. The company was especially proud to have won "Best Overall Customer Satisfaction" in the 2011 uSwitch Broadband Satisfaction Survey and be an official "Which Recommended Provider" for Plusnet Value home broadband.

For further information, please contact:
Laura Mottram
Head of PR
2 Tenter Street
Sheffield
S1 4BT
+44(0)870-705-8055
http://www.plus.net

SOURCE Plusnet