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O2 survey reports surge in teleworking

  • Productivity and improved work life balance are driving forces
  • But lack of access to broadband widening a regional digital divide

Dublin, Tuesday 3rd April 2007

A survey from O2 Ireland finds a dramatic increase in teleworking or working from home amongst owner managers and senior executives in Irish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The numbers working from home at least one day a month have almost doubled from 25% two years ago to 46% today. More significantly, the numbers working from home more than four days a month have trebled from 8% two years ago to 24% now.

The study, which was conducted by independent market research company TNS mrbi on behalf of O2, finds that achieving a better work life balance is an increasing driver for the growth in teleworking amongst Ireland’s senior business executives. Some 23% of respondents cited improved work life balance as a reason for teleworking, compared to 9% two years ago.

Commenting on the survey, Billy D’Arcy, Head of Business Sales & Services, O2 Ireland, said, “We have the benefit of conducting this research over a number of years, enabling us to chart the trends for teleworking amongst Ireland’s SME market. Two years ago convenience was cited as a significant reason for teleworking. While this is still an important motivation, the number of respondents citing this has fallen from 40% in 2004 to 24% today. The major driver for teleworking today is productivity, with 31% stating they telework to get more done and concentrate on major items without day to day office distractions. Avoiding traffic gridlock is also cited by almost one in ten (9%)”.

The O2 survey reports mixed results on broadband penetration. Almost half of respondents (49%) have broadband access from home, up from 23% in 2004. However, a worrying finding is that broadband was not available to 48% of SME bosses who enquired about it for home or office.

The study also suggests a widening digital divide between Dublin and the rest of the country. 70% of respondents in Dublin have broadband access from home – up from 31% in 2004. But broadband access from home in the rest of the country is much less common amongst SMEs. After Dublin the best performing region is Munster (45%) followed by Connacht/Ulster (41%) and the Rest of Leinster (31%).

O2’s mobile broadband services are due to launch in the summer of 2007, with its HSDPA network going live from April. O2’s current 3G data card, the Sierra Wireless 850, is already HSDPA enabled and will support downlink speeds of up to 1.8Mbps once the network goes live.