The Telsyte Digital Workplace Study 2020 indicates that businesses on the broadband access network see the biggest benefits to them are broadband availability where none were available previously, improved connectivity for branches, and helping businesses become more competitive.

The survey also revealed the growing penetration of cloud technologies amongst small and medium businesses, while highlighting many of them don’t think they have the right solution to fully meet their requirements in the future.

According to the research, two thirds (64%) of SMBs are now using cloud applications such as virtualised servers, storage, databases, networking and software as a service, but more than half (54%) don’t think their current broadband plan is adequate to support both their current and future cloud needs.

NBN Co says its internal data shows that many businesses on the NBN access network don’t have a business-grade broadband plan designed to support their technology requirements into the future, with many small and medium business end customers currently subscribed to a plan designed for home use.

NBN Co points out that business-grade broadband plans provide features such as high speeds even when internet traffic is heavy, symmetrical speeds so that businesses can upload as fast as they download, and enhanced service support on the NBN network to help resolve issues faster.

“With more than one million businesses already on the NBN network, broadband and cloud technologies are changing the game. Cloud storage and collaboration tools are helping businesses save time and stay competitive but research shows that businesses could be held back by not having the right broadband plan for their future needs,” says NBN Co Chief Customer Officer for business, Paul Tyler.

According to Tyler, as businesses continue to embrace the cloud and plan for the future, it’s essential that they also review their broadband needs and talk to a retail provider about the wholesale business NBN options available to providers, like priority data over the NBN network and “enhanced service support for when things go wrong”.

“It’s clear that access to business grade services over the NBN access network underpins the future cloud opportunity for small businesses, says Telsyte Managing Director and Principal Analyst, Foad Fadaghi.

“Business NBN offers providers the wholesale option of symmetrical speeds, but also offers the option of business grade support which becomes critical as more core applications are moved into the cloud,” says Fadaghi.

Other key findings of the Telsyte Digital Workplace Study 2020 include:

• Australian SMBs on the NBN access network see the biggest benefit of the network is that it allows them to be more competitive, followed by better branch connectivity and broadband availability where none was previously available.
• More than half (51%) of SMBs on the NBN access network said access to the network saved their business time and almost a third (28%) said it helped their business grow.
• Cloud technologies, traditionally the domain of large enterprises, are being used by many SMBs, with 64% now using cloud applications.
• More than half (54%) of SMBs do not think their current broadband is adequate to support both their current and future cloud technologies.
• 87% of SMBs say quick recovery time following a system outage is either very important or important to their business.