More than six in 10 UK employees apologise at least once a week for Wi-Fi problems, with many missing crucial business activities due to broadband connection issues, according to a survey of 2,000 adults.
The research found that 42% of workers say the phrase “Sorry, my Wi-Fi is playing up” has become routine in their working life. The most common causes are a lost connection (51%), a frozen screen (47%), or being unable to hear what someone else said (40%).
Impact on Meetings and Work
Four in 10 (41%) have had team meetings interrupted by broadband issues. This has resulted in something shared on screen (34%), important instructions (27%), or decisions (20%) being overlooked.
Due to these problems, 52% have had to ask colleagues to repeat information or send follow-up notes because of an unstable connection. Meanwhile, 46% end up 'ghosting' at work at least occasionally, as they have to turn off their camera during meetings to maintain connectivity.
Impact on Personal Calls
It is not just work calls being impacted – as more people depend on video calls to keep in touch with friends and family, slow broadband is increasingly disrupting everyday life too. Over a third (34%) have had to say sorry for their internet during a personal video call in just the past month, with 63% experiencing frozen screens or lost connections while chatting with loved ones.
Given that the average household now uses more than six connected devices, this is clearly a common issue. When it comes to those with the least patience for slow connections, Gen Z were the quickest to throw in the towel, with 90% giving up on watching, playing, or uploading content entirely when buffering, freezing, or dropped connections got in the way.
Sky Broadband Response
The research was commissioned by Sky Broadband, which is introducing a 1.6Gbps broadband package making ultrafast speeds accessible to millions more homes across the UK. 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".
