Millions of budding entrepreneurs in the UK work ‘on the go’ everyday, and a 2014 study found 90 per cent of these rely on the WiFi available in public places like coffee shops. The ‘Bring Your Own Device’ trend has also boosted the number of mobile workers across the UK, meaning more people than ever are working away from the office.
But new research, by Manchester based hosting company 34SP.com, has revealed big name high-street chains, such as Costa and Pret, are failing ‘generation digital’ with their less than satisfactory WiFi.
The research found that the elements that make up a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection – upload, download, and ping speeds (the reaction time of your connection) – were far worse at chain businesses than their independent counterparts.
Typically, independents offer 70 per cent higher downloads speeds, nine times higher upload speeds, and lower ping speeds when compared to chains. All of which adds up to a better connection for customers.
So where should entrepreneurs be heading for a good connection? Not all is lost for Manchester-based chains. The research found Caffe Nero came out on top as the best coffee shop for a good connection, ahead of other popular chains such as Starbucks, Costa, and Pret.
However, these brands are still chasing independent cafes and bars, who across all levels offer a faster and more reliable connection.
Daniel Foster, co-founder and technical director of 34SP.com, said: “In the beginning stages of a start-up business, it’s extremely common to work from places such as coffee shops to get online, as it’s difficult to afford the expense of an office. This is a trend we have seen increase in recent years, and one which is only set to grow further as more and more workers go mobile.
“Unfortunately, our research has shown that chains aren’t quite keeping up with growing consumer demand for accessible and reliable WiFi connections. Whereas independents tend to set up their own hub, and customers can usually connect with a password, chains often rely on the likes of Cloud WiFi that just don’t seem to be as reliable.
“These companies are not only missing out of a lot of business, but they could be having a negative impact on the amount of start-ups we see appearing in Manchester. It isn’t just entrepreneurs that are being affected either. Customers generally want to be connected wherever they go for a multitude of reasons, so it is in the best interests of these businesses to ensure their WiFi is fast and reliable.”
