Unreliable broadband hinders UK remote workers' productivity

New research from Broadband Genie has revealed that unreliable broadband is hampering productivity among remote workers in the UK, with many facing patchy internet connections, particularly in major cities.

The study highlights significant connectivity issues in cities such as London, Belfast, and Manchester, where over a third of remote workers frequently encounter outages. This is despite a high adoption rate of working from home, indicating a pressing need for improved broadband infrastructure to support the modern workforce.

Data from the research indicates that while cities like Gloucester (92%), Wolverhampton (86%), and Oxford (84%) experience generally reliable broadband, other urban centres are not as fortunate. In London, only 55% of remote workers report having a stable internet connection, even as 68% of workers in the city work from home at least part-time. Belfast fares worse, with just 49% enjoying uninterrupted service.

Peter Ames, a broadband expert from Broadband Genie, commented on the findings, "The UK has proven remote and hybrid work can succeed, but only with the right infrastructure. Right now, too many workers are being let down by unreliable broadband. If Britain wants to stay competitive, providers must step up, invest in underperforming areas, and ensure no worker is left struggling with poor connectivity. Fast, stable broadband isn't a luxury - it's a necessity for the UK's economic future."

Broadband issues are not limited to London and Belfast. Other populous cities, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow, report that more than a third of their remote workers face regular internet outages.

This uneven reliability has implications for productivity, as workers dealing with unstable connections may experience dropped video calls, slow cloud access, and interruptions in their daily workflow. Such disruptions underline the important role of broadband in the success of remote and hybrid working models.

The statistics suggest that the digital divide is affecting productivity across the UK. In cities like Coventry, Brighton, and Chelmsford, the percentage of remote workers experiencing outages is notably high, with one-third or more encountering regular issues over the past year.

Broadband providers are being urged to address these shortcomings by investing in infrastructure improvements, particularly in underperforming areas that are experiencing significant demand from the increasing number of remote workers.

Ames reiterated the need for action, "If Britain wants to stay competitive, providers must step up, invest in underperforming areas, and ensure no worker is left struggling with poor connectivity." The call to action signifies the importance of broadband as a fundamental element in the economic framework, essential for maintaining the UK's productivity levels in an increasingly digital age.