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Many businesses shop around and change suppliers in order
to take advantage of the telecoms services available and get
the best deal on offer, new research published by Oftel today
reveals.
The research, based on Oftel's quarterly survey among 700 small
and medium enterprises (SMEs), has found that:
. A third of small businesses have switched mobile phone companies,
rising to half of medium businesses, to save money and for better
network coverage, customer service and support;
. A quarter of small businesses and three-fifths of medium businesses
use more than one fixed telephone company; and
. Around a third of both small and medium businesses connected
to the Internet have switched Internet Service Provider, with
the majority finding the process easy.
David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said
today:
"More and more small and medium sized businesses realise there
are some good offers available from telecoms providers, and
that it is not difficult to change telephone company in order
to get the best deal.
"The right telecoms service can save money and boost sales through
swift and effective communication with customers and staff.
"If businesses need further advice on how to take full advantage
of the many services on offer, they should visit www.TelecomsAdvice.org.uk,
the independent website set up specifically for this purpose."
The quarterly survey forms part of Oftel's ongoing programme
of research, feeding into policy work and market reviews.
Also published today are findings from a series of interviews
with SMEs on their use of the Internet and e-commerce and from
a workshop held with members of Oftel's Large Business User
Panel on their use of telecoms competition and services.
Further Details and Background Information.
The research published today comprises five reports and is
published on Oftel's website:
[ This page was amended 27/Feb/2004 to reflect that research
is
now published on http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/
]
. Use of fixed line services among small and medium enterprises
is at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2001/fix0101.htm.
. Internet use among small and medium enterprises is at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2001/int0101.htm.
. Mobile phone use among small and medium enterprises is at
http://www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2001/mob0101.htm.
. SMEs and the Internet - qualitative research report is at
http://www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2001/sbir0101.htm.
. Large business use of telecoms competition and services is
at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2001/lbup0101.htm.
Hard copies of all Oftel reports are available on 020 7634 8761.
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