Six in 10 workers apologise at least once a week for Wi-Fi-related mishaps, with many leading to key business actions being missed, new research has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that, as a result, 42% of those who ever work remotely admitted the phrase “sorry, my Wi-Fi is playing up” has become a routine part of their life. The issues are most often due to a dropped connection (51%), frozen screen (47%), or being unable to hear what someone else said (40%).
Impact on Meetings and Business Actions
Four in 10 (41%) have also had team meetings interrupted by broadband issues. This has resulted in something shared on screen (34%), important instructions (27%), or decisions (20%) being missed.
As a result, 52% have had to ask colleagues to repeat information or send follow-up notes because of a poor connection. While 46% end up at least sometimes ‘ghosting’ at work, as they have to switch off their camera during meetings to stay connected.
Broader Impact on Personal Calls
The research was commissioned by Sky Broadband, which is launching a 1.6Gbps broadband package making ultrafast speeds available to millions more homes across the UK.
It also found it's not just work calls being affected – as more rely on video calls to stay in touch with friends and family, slow broadband is increasingly disrupting everyday life too. More than a third (34%) have had to apologise for their internet during a personal video call in the past month alone, with 63% experiencing freezing screens or dropped connections while catching up with loved ones.
Generational Differences in Patience
With the average home running over six connected devices, this is clearly a widespread issue. When it comes to those who have the least patience when connections lag, Gen Z were the quickest to switch off, with 90% giving up on watching, playing, or uploading something altogether when buffering, freezing, or dropped connections got in the way.
Ben Case, managing director of connectivity at Sky, said: “Our research shows how unreliable broadband can disrupt everything from work meetings to calls with loved ones which is why Sky Broadband is helping customers stay connected to what matters most.”
