NETGEAR STUDY SHOWS UK SMALL BUSINESSES RELY ON WI-FI FOR CUSTOMER RETENTION, BUT 9 OUT OF 10 SUFFER FROM WI-FI ISSUES
Survey of 1000 small and medium-sized businesses in over 50 sectors
Bracknell, UK – November 22, 2018 - NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), the leading provider of networking products to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has released findings that show nine out of ten UK businesses experience at least one issue with their Wi-Fi that prevents them from meeting business needs. The survey of 1000 UK SMBs across more than fifty sectors identified issues including poor coverage (18%), dropped connections (33%) and slow connections (38%). This is despite 82% of SMBs considering it important or very important to offer customers a good Wi-Fi connection, of which half (52%) rely on Wi-Fi for customer retention.
Customer Wi-Fi Important to Business Revenue
Of the 82% of businesses that consider it important to offer Wi-Fi to customers, 16% say it increases footfall and 24% say customers spend more time on the premises as a result of offering good Wi-Fi. Furthermore, 36% say Wi-Fi is important for attracting new customers, and over 70% say that Wi-Fi is important for providing improved customer service.
“UK businesses recognise that customers expect a good Wi-Fi connection, and many SMBs rely on Wi-Fi for critical revenue-driving functions,” said Ollie Randall, UK Regional Director of NETGEAR. “However, nine out of ten businesses are still experiencing Wi-Fi issues that are easily preventable with mesh Wi-Fi technology.”
UK Businesses Unaware of Mesh Wi-Fi
Although mesh Wi-Fi provides the solution to many of the issues that UK businesses identify, such as poor speeds and dropped connections, a staggering 88% of UK SMBs surveyed do not know what a mesh Wi-Fi system is, and that it could solve their issues.
“The Orbi™ Pro Tri-band Wi-Fi System is the ideal solution to business Wi-Fi woes, but most SMBs are missing the opportunity to fix their issues, simply because they are unaware of mesh technology,” continued Ollie Randall. “Implementing Orbi™ Pro allows businesses to offer a service that not only meets customer needs, but can drive additional revenue through improved customer acquisition and retention.”
In addition to providing superior Wi-Fi coverage and performance, NETGEAR Orbi™ Pro also enables many of the additional activities that SMBs use Wi-Fi for, such as running a wireless point of sale ordering system (31%), streaming music in their business (37%) and adding a separate guest network (21%).
A Mesh System Designed for SMBs to Self-Install
The NETGEAR Orbi™ Pro Wi-Fi System comes with an Orbi™ Pro Wi-Fi Router and Satellite and replaces your business router. It works with existing Business Service Provider equipment and uses a dedicated high throughput wireless backhaul and patented Fastlane3 technology to create a Wi-Fi blanket that covers up to 10,000 square feet with high-performance AC3000 (3Gbps) Wi-Fi, eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones.
Orbi Pro is the first purpose-built Wi-Fi solution specifically designed for small business owners to install themselves. There is no complex wiring or need for professional installation, avoiding the cost of outsourcing your IT, making it the perfect Wi-Fi solution for commercial locations such as offices, restaurants, retail and hotels, all of which could benefit from easy-to-set-up, expansive Wi-Fi.
To learn more about how NETGEAR Orbi Pro can enhance your business, call the Sales Office on +44 (0)1344 458 200 or email UKsales@netgear.com
About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQ: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. The Company's products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless (WiFi and LTE), Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. The product line consists of wired and wireless devices that enable networking, broadband access and network connectivity. These products are available in multiple configurations to address the needs of the end-users in each geographic region in which the Company's products are sold. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 27,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 23,000 value-added resellers, as well as multiple major cable, mobile and wireline service providers around the world. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in approximately 25 countries. More information is available from the NETGEAR investor page or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR on Twitter, Facebook and our blog.
©2018 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and ProSAFE are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s). The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. NETGEAR shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease-of-use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease-of-use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Source: NETGEAR-G
UK Media Contact: Zaboura Consultancy, 0203 588 0804, netgear@zaboura.com
UK Sales Inquiries: 01344 458200, UKsales@netgear.com
UK Customer Inquiries: 01344 458200
###