The Rising Importance of Small Business Connectivity

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With the growing number of business apps, increased cloud data and dependence on WiFi, maintaining fast, reliable connectivity has become an essential component of businesses of every size. While small businesses may not need large servers and an extensive network, staying connected is a critical part of doing business, which includes keeping up with technological advancements and meeting increased customer connectivity demands.

 

How is the connectivity landscape changing?

Connectivity demands in business are constantly and rapidly changing. With the growth of mobile technology, web-based apps and cloud usage, today’s consumers are accustomed to on-demand, on-the-go connections to goods and services. While email remains an acceptable means of business contact, many customers now use smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to place orders, schedule services and conduct business interactions. In order to stay on the cutting-edge of digital business evolution, business owners will need to stay ahead of the connectivity curve.

 

Meeting increased connectivity demands

Projected increases in connectivity demands are projected in several ways:

  • Business Intelligence projections show that more than 55 billion Internet of Things devices are forecast to be in use by 2025, which is more than six times the 9 billion devices in 2017.
  • With increased transfer of critical business applications and data to the cloud, Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecast and Methodology for 2016-2021 projects annual global IP traffic will triple across the next five years and will show a 127-fold increase from 2005-2021.
  • The number of devices connected to IP networks will be three times as high as the global population by 2021, with 3.5 network devices per capita by 2021. This is an increase from 2.3 networked devices per capita in 2016.
  • By 2021, wired devices will only account for 37 percent of IP traffic, while wireless devices will account for 63 percent of IP traffic. This marks a 14 percent decrease in wired devices from 2016 data.
  • Broadband speeds will nearly double by 2021, with fixed broadband speeds expected to reach 53.0Mbps, which is up from 27.5 Mbps in 2016.

 

Connectivity benefits

A customer relationship is at risk every time connectivity fails. Therefore, maintaining strong, reliable connectivity has numerous benefits. Smooth connectivity helps build customer trust by meeting on-demand mobile inquiries, problem-solving, and fast service in helping to facilitate a quick turnaround on product orders and deliveries or meeting service needs. Better connectivity also enables employees to work more efficiently, which can help decrease daily operations bottom line.

 

Comcast Business has the largest IP network in the nation, serving the needs of small business through large enterprise customers. Technology solutions range from fast, reliable Ethernet and Internet connectivity to voice, video, and Managed Solutions. Comcast Business is powered by an advanced Gig-ready network and 24/7 technical support. Learn more at business.comcast.com/san-francisco.

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