Small and mid-size businesses prefer one supplier

12 October 2005 - Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of small and medium sized businesses in the UK would use a single service provider for all their telecoms requirements – voice calls, email, internet access, web hosting and security – if a high standard of service could be guaranteed.  This is according to a survey commissioned by COLT.  Additionally, the survey revealed that while at present only a mere 11 per cent already work in this way, only 15 per cent felt this mode of operating would not appeal to them or was too risky. 

The new research conducted by specialist research consultancy Vanson Bourne also identified the three main advantages that SMEs believe they would gain from having a single supplier:

•       it is easier/less time-consuming to deal with a single supplier and to have just one bill - 40 per cent

•       improved customer service due to a single point of contact - 24 per cent

•       there is greater opportunity to negotiate on price - 20 per cent

The survey also revealed the top two attributes that SMEs said they value most in their telecommunications service: reliability and responsive customer service (39 per cent); and competitive pricing (30 per cent). 

Ian Traynor, UK Marketing director said: “The results are revealing.  A large percentage of the businesses surveyed indicated that they would prefer a single supplier for all telecom requirements – if the right standard of service could be guaranteed.  At COLT, we provide business grade solutions to over 50,000 businesses today – over 40,000 of which are from a smaller business environment.  With today’s launch of COLT Total*, we believe that we are taking the lead in bringing an enterprise-grade solution to the midsize sector, and responding to this demand for one supplier.  Furthermore, whatever the size of your business, everyone has access to our award winning customer service.”

COLT Total, launched today, highlights how COLT is taking the lead in delivering enterprise-grade solutions to the midsize sector.  Designed for businesses with more than 10 employees, it is a converged communications service that bundles voice, internet and a variety of optional services over a single internet protocol (IP) connection.  It responds to demand from midsize businesses for a simple, affordable and high quality way to manage today’s proliferation of communications services.  Research from IDC also shows demand for such a product.  For more information please see the separate release issued today.

Vanson Bourne surveyed IT decision makers in companies with five to 250 employees in the UK and the research is based on 400 interviews.

Ends

About COLT

COLT is a leading European provider of business communications. COLT specialises in providing data, voice and managed services to midsize and major businesses and wholesale customers. It has more than 50,000 customers across all industry sectors. COLT owns and operates a 13-country, 20,000km network that includes metropolitan area networks in 32 major European cities with direct fibre connections into 10,000 buildings and 12 COLT data centres. 

COLT Telecom Group plc, COLT‘s parent company, is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CTM.L) and NASDAQ (COLT). Information about COLT and its services can be found at www.colt.net

About Vanson Bourne

Incorporated in 1999, Vanson Bourne is a specialist research-based IT marketing consultancy offering clients analysis and advice based on incisive and rigorous research into their market environment. It has delivered research-based marketing support for the IT and telecommunications community for many years.  As well as its range of OmniBoss services, we design and deliver custom research for individual IT and telecommunications clients.  Specifically, the OmniBoss SME Series targets Mid-market and Small businesses in Europe’s leading economies.