A new report by disruptive communications provider Truphone shows that Britain’s potential to boost exports is being held back by poor international communications infrastructure and high roaming costs.
A new report by disruptive communications provider Truphone shows that Britain’s potential to boost exports is being held back by poor international communications infrastructure and high roaming costs.
Truphone’s survey of 650 UK companies with under 500 employees showed that 77% are planning to expand international within the next two years and that 80% of these business aspire to become global enterprises as a response to widespread economic upturn.
However, the global ambitions of many are being stalled by frustrations with poor international communications and high roaming fees for employees seeking to communicate with potential partners and suppliers in target markets, and with their colleagues back home.
78% of those surveyed said that their current communications infrastructure does not meet their global needs and 60% said poor infrastructure is a barrier international growth.
A significant number of respondent also told Truphone that when they go abroad they turn off their mobile phone for most of the time in order to avoid being hit by hefty bills for roaming calls and internet use on smart devices.
Truphone says this kind of behaviour has a negative impact on the strength of international business relationships and hampers trade.
Truphone’s sample companies also said that they were largely dissatisfied with the flexibility and connectivity provided by their current communications solutions with 62% saying they needed more flexibility and 51% saying that connectivity is an issue.
Most of the companies Truphone spoke to are yet to proactively invest in improving their communications infrastructure to support international expansion but of those business who expressed ambitions to go global in the next two years 60% said they will be doing so soon.
Truphone feels it is in a unique position to address the disappointments and limitations of mainstream communications offerings due to its unique system infrastructure and focus on making a user local, wherever they are in the world.
Rob Jones, European managing director at Truphone, commented on the survey results saying: “Historically the UK has been a nation of global pioneers, with the development of international trade a major driving force behind this.
“We’re now living in the modern age, where technology has enabled a significant change in the way we communicate with one another around the world. So there’s a particular paradox in the fact that the major barrier UK businesses face is in getting the best from existing communications infrastructure, with many looking to invest in this to make their ambitions a reality.”
For further details on Truphone and the Global Pioneering Spirit study, please visit: www.truphone.com/uk/gps
