The importance of good cellular coverage was highlighted recently in SpiderCloud’s research of 1000 consumers. Shockingly, it found that 74% of consumers would potentially leave their current mobile operator for better cellular coverage at work – emphasizing the need for mobile operators to take coverage in the office seriously.

On top of this, ip.access found that UK businesses are potentially losing over £32.75 million a week as employees waste time hunting for signal to make work-related calls. If this is the picture in urban office environments, imagine connectivity issues that are facing rural and remote businesses!

People in more remote areas see how the struggle for connectivity can have an impact on their growing businesses, with many businesses being hit by a lack of access to fast data services, a concern raised recently in a discussion paper published by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Forgetting the daily struggle

Small businesses are critical to the economy and ensuring that these companies do not suffer from a lack of cellular coverage will be crucial in ensuring their future.

Recently EE announced that it is committing to a new £1.5bn network investment plan to expand 4G and improve UK rural coverage. According to the company’s ‘Signalling the future manifesto’, the last five years has seen a complete turnaround in demand and expectations from rural communities. There is no longer a need to persuade people about the need for connectivity, it is now seen as a necessity.

A simple solution

Small cells are already demonstrating proven results when it comes to addressing rural and enterprise connectivity. Launching at MWC this year, Release Five will further highlight the opportunities available for operators and show how small cells can be used in a wide variety of applications.

If you’re interested in finding out more join us at Mobile World Congress on stand F61 in Hall 7.